The cleaning steps of the oil painting brush are as follows:
First, prepare the tools and materials
Oil painting brush: An oil painting brush that needs cleaning.
Pen soap or dishwashing liquid: used to remove oil paints.
Water: Used for rinsing oil painting brushes.
Tissue paper or towel: used to dry the oil painting brush.
Pen washer (optional) : A pen washer with a filter screen makes it more convenient to clean and store oil brushes.
Second, the cleaning steps
Preliminary removal of pigments
Use a tissue or towel to gently wipe off the excess paint on the oil painting brush. For soft-bristled oil brushes (such as those made of wool or mink), avoid pulling or repeatedly rubbing them to prevent damage to the bristles. You can use a circular motion to gently scrub in one direction.
Soaking and cleaning
Soak the oil brush in a thinner (such as turpentine) or pen soap water for a period of time to allow the paint to dissolve fully. If you use a pen holder, you can put the oil painting brush into the holder and let the bristles soak in thinner or pen soap water.
The soaking time depends on the degree of pigment adhesion and the dirtiness of the oil painting brush, usually ranging from several minutes to over ten minutes.
Rub the bristles
Take out the oil brush, hold the brush in one hand and gently rub the tip of the brush in the palm of the other hand to ensure that the paint and grease at the base of the brush can be thoroughly removed.
For stubborn paint residues, you can dip a small amount of pen soap or dishwashing liquid in the palm of your hand and continue to rub the bristles.
Rinse the bristles
Rinse the oil painting brush with clean water to ensure that all remaining paint and detergent are washed away thoroughly.
When rinsing, you can gently squeeze the bristles with your fingers to help the water flow better into the roots of the bristles.
Dry the bristles
Gently dry the bristles of the oil painting brush with a tissue or towel to avoid deforming the bristles due to excessive force.
You can lay the oil painting brush flat on a tissue or towel and let it dry naturally.
Third, precautions
Choose the appropriate cleaning agent
For oily pigments, a thinner (such as turpentine) or pen soap can be used for cleaning. Avoid using overly irritating chemical components to prevent damage to the bristles.
Avoid using overly hot water
When cleaning oil painting brushes, use warm or cold water. Avoid using water that is too hot to prevent damage to the bristles or paint residue.
Regular cleaning
After each use of the oil painting brush, it should be cleaned in time to prevent the paint from drying and adhering to the bristles, which may make cleaning difficult or damage the bristles.
Keep properly
The cleaned oil painting brushes should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and damp environments. If the oil painting brush is not used for a long time, it can be wrapped in a tissue or towel and stored in a sealed box or bag.