ABOUT BRUSHES

Brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, made from both natural and synthetic fibre.

A brush has four parts: bristle, ferrule, crimp and handle.

Bristles: The working part of the brush that are dipped into the paint, made from natural or synthetic hair. The bristles are further divided into the toe (the very tip of the brush), the belly (the widest part of the brush) and the heel. Always try to keep the paint within toe and belly, and avoid getting it on the heel and ferrule.

Ferrule: The metal band that connects the bristles to the handle.

Crimp: The part of the ferrule that secures it to the handle.

Handle: The part you hold, which is typically made from wood or plastic.

There are different types of brushes available – round, flat, fan, filbert, wash, liner and rigger, each designed for different purposes.

Taking good care of your brushes will help them last longer:

1. Don't leave brushes with paint on them, even while you're painting.
2. If you need to set the brush aside for a few minutes, rinse it well or immerse it in water but not for too long.
3.  Never leave a brush in a jar of water overnight.
4.  Never dip the brush into paint too far, just up to the bristles.
5.  To clean the brushes, first remove the excess paint by immersing them in a water jar, then rinse them under running water.
6.  Wash the brushes using warm water and mild soap, then continue rinsing until the water runs clean.
7.  Shape the bristles with your fingers and let the brush dry on a paper towel.
8.  Lay the brush flat to dry, and once it's dry, store it upright in a jar or cylindrical container (keep it upright) to prevent the bristles from bending.