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Sunday, April 22, 2007

Brush Cleaning with Safflower Oil


I am not a big believer in cleaning brushes. It has always seemed to me to be a colossal waste of time. My solution over the years has been to wipe off excess paint with a rag or paper towel and simply leave the brushes soaking in solvent, usually an inch or so of odorless mineral spirits in a tin can. Recently I've switched from using mineral spirits to using safflower oil-the very kind found in the grocery store. Much of the oil paint I use includes a little bit of it anyway so I know it isn't going to have an adverse effect. I've found that it is more pleasant to use, there are fewer fumes in the studio, the brushes stay softer, and I don't worry about getting any on my skin.

4 comments:

r garriott said...

A marvelous idea and undoubtedly better than the 'Goop' (brand name) hand cleaner that I soak my brushes in.

Katherine Kean said...

It works wonders at keeping the brushes soft. Thanks for coming by!

marianne said...

Oh my gosh. I never heard of this! I love this idea and it seems so much easier and cleaner than most other options. Will it soften hard brushes too?

Katherine Kean said...

Hi Marianne,
I don't think it will make a brush already hardened with dried paint any softer, but it will keep brushes from drying out in the first place.