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I usually don't bother because I have one for each color (red, blue green...ect).
They can be washed in the sink with a mild dish soap or shampoo. Just make sure you rinse them well after to get all the soap out. They will stain, but won't transfer the stained color if they are clean.
__________________ Jeanne S - Inky Paws SCS Moderator
I use a baby wipe immediately after I've finished stippling & then when I've finished for that session of card making I clean mine with a gentle dish washing liquid & warm water in the sink & mine have nearly always come up the original off-white colour. I only have 3 of these brushes so I have to be a bit more careful with the cleaning of them so that I don't cause an accidental colour transfer. HTH
Location: If anyone figures that out, PLEASE let me know!
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I would just add that after I clean the brush, I wrap it tightly with either paper towel or painters tape to keep it "tight". Once dry it will have held its shape much better for the next use.
I use a paint brush cleaning soap that I purchased at the local art supply store. If that doesn't work, I try baby wash and if that doesn't work I use a citrus based cleaner that removes absolutely everything, including glue (I abuse my brushes terribly!). sab
I swipe mine back and forth (as if I were sweeping the floor) on my stampin' scrub. The stamp cleaner works pretty good to get majority of the ink off the bristels.
__________________ **Trying to spread a little Pixie Dust everywhere I go!* * myblog!
I have a stipple brush for each ink color or color family I use a stipple brush with...dark blue for darker blue inks, light blue for lighter blue inks...I do have certain stipple brushes that are for only their colors, such as Butterscotch, lettuce and a few others...I also have a color duster brush for each color of ink I use them with...and I write the color name onto each brush handle so when others are using them...they know which ink pad to use the brushes with...The color dusters do basically the same thing as the stipple brushes, just slightly softer bristles...I have been using my first stipple brushes for over 12 years now, and add brushes as I add more colors that I stipple with...otherwise I just use my color dusters...I also do this with my craft sponges...I have a wedge of sponge for each color I use a sponge with...
Regarding cleaning of stipple brushes, I hope this is helpful ....
I've taken watercolor classes for years and all my teachers have said this about brush cleaning: Put a dab of dishwashing liquid in your palm, wet your brush under running lukewarm water to remove the majority of the paint, then swish the brush back and forth and/or a circular motion in your palm to remove any remaining paint. Do not stab your palm with the bristles, as this ruins their alignment in the ferrule (silver metal part).
You can rinse your hand under running lukewarm water to remove the majority of the soap/paint and continue swishing the brush in your palm (there's still soap in the bristles). Continue swishing the brush in your palm until no more paint/soap is present. If needed, you can add more soap to your palm and repeat the procedure.
This procedure would also apply to removing ink from a stipple brush. Good brushes are usually made of hog's hair, so bristle staining will occur. This does not ruin the brush for other colors, i.e., if the bristles are stained red, you can use yellow ink (if the brush is clean and dry).
After cleaning, pat brush with a dry cloth to remove water. Using your fingers, re-form the bristles to a point. This applies to a stipple brush as well; you don't want the bristles all splayed out.
One final note ... it was drilled into the students that once our brushes were cleaned, we were to never set them upright (bristle end up) in a container to dry. Over time, the moisture in the still damp bristles will seep into the ferrule, eventually dissolving the glue, making the bristles fall out. Brushes are to be laid FLAT to dry.
I've had the same brushes for almost 20 years and most are as nice as the day I bought them. Brushes are an investment, so if you take care of them, they will last a long, long time.
jeanette i was taught the same thing at my tole painting classes.
good brushes are worth the effort and worth the cost
Thanks for the reinforcement ... I thought I might be going out on a limb and offend someone ... which certainly was not my intention.
I was quite upset when SU! discontinued their watercolor brushes, as I do a lot of watercolor demos with my customers. I know many people like the Aqua Painters, but I don't. Give me red sable any day! Guess I'm old fashioned.
From Jeannette: I know many people like the Aqua Painters, but I don't. Give me red sable any day! Guess I'm old fashioned.
I laughed at your comment Jeannette... but it was exactly what a trained artist would say! I'm an graphic artist... on a COMPUTER, but I couldn't draw or paint my way out of a paper bag! That's why I love stamping and the Aqua Painters... I LOVE watercolor art, and these tools "draw" my picture, and then I can use my watercoloring "skills" (i.e., all the tip and tricks for faux watercoloring!) to create wonderful works of art! But hats off to all you true artists who can take a red sable brush and do wonders!
From Jeannette: I know many people like the Aqua Painters, but I don't. Give me red sable any day! Guess I'm old fashioned.
I laughed at your comment Jeannette... but it was exactly what a trained artist would say! I'm an graphic artist... on a COMPUTER, but I couldn't draw or paint my way out of a paper bag! That's why I love stamping and the Aqua Painters... I LOVE watercolor art, and these tools "draw" my picture, and then I can use my watercoloring "skills" (i.e., all the tip and tricks for faux watercoloring!) to create wonderful works of art! But hats off to all you true artists who can take a red sable brush and do wonders!
To manelson2: So sorry for the lapse in a reply comment. I didn't know anyone had commented after me. Is there a way for me to know that on this site? Anyway ... never in a million years could I do what you do on a computer, but I think it'd be really cool to know how. Hey, if you got the paper bag wet enough, you'd be able to get out! Ha!
Jeannette
Ask Beate - Keeping stipple brushes clean
