Interestingly enough, in this months issue of The  Artists  Magazine there is an enjoyable article on several artists who started to paint once they reached sixty.

It is always important to remember that it is never too late to begin a new chapter in your life!

I do not paint and I prefer my students not to paint on canvas panels.    They are extremely rough and do not allow for any spring back.  Also, over time, they will warp.   I find canvas that is rough destroys brushes extremely fast.  Also, for my style of painting,  it is much more difficult to achieve a smooth finish.  Once again, though, it is a personal choice.  If you are purchasing the cheaper two-pack of canvas from the hobby stores be aware they are rough.

For my portrait method,  I first coat any canvas that I purchase with two coats of tinted gesso.  You can achieve smoothness this way.

There are many sources of good quality canvas out there.  My suggestion is that if you do a lot of painting, it would be beneficial to order or purchase a case lot.  It usually is only six at a time.

Please note my classes are all posted on my website now and am currently taking new students!!

First of all,  when you purchase a brush,  it quite often comes with a protective sleeve on it.  When removed,  do not attempt to put it back on.  This will bend, break and fray the tiny hairs.  Just throw the sleeves away!

Next,  a new brush will contain sizing,  making them stiff.  This allows them to hold their shape and prevent damage while on a store shelf.  This sizing must be removed before any painting is done.   Gently soak the brush in warm water and use a gentle soap.   This should remove all the sizing and your brush should be soft.

I don’t generally clean my brushes until I am finished painting for the day.  Throughout the day,  I just wipe them carefully by pulling them gently through a paper towel.  Do not rub your good brushes on a paper towel to clean;  this will break off tiny hairs.  Also, if possible,  use a good quality paper towel such as Viva.  It is soft and smooth, and will help preserve your brushes longer.

At the end of the day,  rinse your brush in “used”  thinner.  Then rinse again in clean thinner.  Next,  apply a brush cleaner appropriate for oils (Art Gel, Pink Soap, or Murphy’s  Oil Soap)  and work out all the remaining paint.   Next, I use Baby Oil and, using a soft paper towel, I  squeeze the bristles to reshape them..  There should be no color that appears when squeezing the bristles  or your brush is still dirty.  I leave baby oil in my brush,  shape the bristles back to the chisel edge,  and put away.

By cleaning your brushes this way, they will last you for a long time.  However, they do eventually wear out and must be replaced.  Keep that in mind that when you begin to feel it is time for a new brush, trust your instincts, you are probably right!!   Pull out a new one and experience the wonderful feeling of a Brand New Brush!!