Simple Trick worth 1000$

15 cm x 15 cm, Oil

In the first two years I have cleaned my brushes after use with sunflower oil and plenty of kitchen paper. That took me about 10 mins each day. I have stopped that a few months ago. Now I simply keep them in a glass of sunflower oil without prior cleaning. I keep all the brushes i have used that way and never expose them to air (oxygen). The result is not only that i save a lot of time but that the brushes stay in good shape much longer. I can do approximately twice as many paintings before I have to replace a brush. Cleaning means stress, for me and the brushes!

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Comment by Thomas Ruckstuhl on March 31, 2015 at 13:08: Thanks Ningning, no need to be sorry.... These are just the discoveries of a lazy guy, I am still happy with it and have not changed the oil since i posted. Just added a little fresh oil to compensate the loss.

Comment by Ningning Li on March 31, 2015 at 12:43: Sorry, Thomas, I just found that you already answered my question when you wrote to Steinunn, It will be a revolution to me to save time. Thanks for let us know.

Comment by Ningning Li on March 31, 2015 at 12:38: Good idea, I will try. One question, Thomas, how do you do when the sunflower oil become very dirty? Do you change the oil? If so, how often?

Comment by Lori Ippolito on February 17, 2015 at 17:19: I've always worried the bristles would get smashed unless I keep them bristles up! I spend so much time cleaning u after every painting session..what a huge pain! Will try this:) thx for sharing!!

Comment by Britt Greenland on January 30, 2015 at 15:23: Oh, I've been doing that all along, but I just thought I was being lazy! I didn't realize it's better for the brushes!

Comment by Steinunn Einarsdottir on January 28, 2015 at 18:05: Thank you for that Thomas.:)

Comment by Thomas Ruckstuhl on January 28, 2015 at 11:48: Ruby, guess it work with any oil. The trick is that i do not clean the brushes. I just wipe of the oil when i reuse a brush, just like i wipe it frequently during a painting ( often i use only one brush for a painting).
Steinunn, I do this since about 6 months and have not change the oil yet. I just need to add a little fresh oil to compensate the small loss that is in the brush when i take it out.

Comment by Steinunn Einarsdottir on January 28, 2015 at 9:18: Thank you very much for this information re cleaning Thomas, I am definitely going to change my cleaning process. One question; do you change the oil often??

Comment by Ruby on January 28, 2015 at 1:57: the oil works well Thomas.. I have been using "baby oil" to clean my brushes and it works like a dream

Comment by Thomas Ruckstuhl on January 27, 2015 at 13:42: Thanks Gina. Carol's medium is 2 parts linseed oil, 1 part stand oil, 1 part mineral spirit.