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Extremely Basic Question about Brushes
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Posted by Helen23 (My Page) on Thu, Feb 10, 05 at 11:23
| I'm so glad to have found this forum! I have some terribly basic questions about working with oil paint. One is: do you clean your brushes out every day or even more often? Does it depend upon how fine the particular brush is?
I just started painting with oil this past week and I'm completely stumped as to how long it takes for oil to dry. I've worked with acrylic in the past and depending upon the type of brush I was using, would sometimes wrap it in plastic if I knew I'd be using it again the following day. I'd love to hear about how any of you work. This will only be a hobby for me (at least until I "retire") so I may only be able to paint once a week.
Also, what sort of ventilation do you work with? Do you all find a way to leave a window open where you paint, do you have those air purifiers going, or do you just live with the fumes?
Thanks for any thoughts or tips you're willing to share. I am obviously a complete beginner. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Extremely Basic Question about Brushes
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Hello Helen
I paint in oils. I wipe the paint from my brushes and then clean in odorless turp (mineral spirits) I do not find the odor offensive; but you might try adding a little vanilla or oil of cinnamon (found in the druggist usually near vaporizors/misters) to the turp. I use very little turp. I have one container with a metal scraper that has about 1 inch of turp and one container with metal scraper without turp. I clean in the first and dry it out in the second; wiping the brush as opposed to scrubbing it against the metal. Wipe on toweling to see if all color is gone. If I am actively using the bruses, I don't clean them any further. If I won't be using them for a while, I will use a brush cleaner/conditioner found at most art stores. BTW, the turp is reuseable. Pour into a jar and allow the sediments to settle. Pour off the turp and dispose of the sediments. Oils can vary in drying time. It is best to paint thick over thin or as some say fat over lean. If you need to thin your paint, thin the bottom layers with turp, then a turp/oil mix for the upper layers. If the top layers dry before the bottom, the top may crack. Depending on the thickness of your paint application, paint can take several days to dry. It needs to dry about 6 months before any varnishing. Varnishing brings out the brightness and color of the paint as well as protecting it. If I can be of more assistance I will be glad to help.
Happy Painting!!!
Rhonda |
RE: Extremely Basic Question about Brushes
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| Wow, that is so helpful, Rhonda, thank you very much! It was only when reading here that it dawned on me that I will eventually need to varnish anything, but until I read your post, never would I have guessed to wait as long as 6 months. And thanks so much for your other tips too. It was only after making 2 canvases look pretty strange (I don't think it deserves to be called "painting" yet) did it occur to me that maybe one doesn't hold a brush the same way as when painting with acrylics -- duh. I probably would have messed up a whole lot more before trying to do the thick over thin/fat over lean that you suggest. Thanks again! Helen |
RE: Extremely Basic Question about Brushes
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| Helen, you are most welcome. |
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