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So I have my models primed and ready to be painted, but i'm confused on a few small things.

1: At this time, I don't have any paint brush soap, can water suffice for cleaning? What consists of cleaning, putting the brush under running water? Do I need to use my fingers to work out the paint or anything? Also, how do I actually maintain the brush while painting? Do I just dowse it into the watercup every so often, and do the same when I switch colors? Can someone help me here?

2: I have the GW paints, my question is, how do I get the paint out of the pot and onto a palette? I realize other brands have the dropper style, but before I give it a go, i'm curious if any of you have any pointers.

1) i just douse the brush in the water cup every few minutes to clear off the drying paint, and wipe it off on a paper towel. I repeat this process until the brush is clean (the water i'm wiping off on the paper towel is the color of the water, rather than the color of pigment left on the brush)

2) I generally just use the paint straight out of the pot. I'll add water to the pot directly, and mix it via shaking. If your trying to mix colors, you could use a very small measuring spoon. I wouldn't recommend a dropper, it would waste an awful lot of paint.

holaclasse wrote:So I have my models primed and ready to be painted, but i'm confused on a few small things.

1: At this time, I don't have any paint brush soap, can water suffice for cleaning? What consists of cleaning, putting the brush under running water? Do I need to use my fingers to work out the paint or anything? Also, how do I actually maintain the brush while painting? Do I just dowse it into the watercup every so often, and do the same when I switch colors? Can someone help me here?

2: I have the GW paints, my question is, how do I get the paint out of the pot and onto a palette? I realize other brands have the dropper style, but before I give it a go, i'm curious if any of you have any pointers.

Alrighty...

1) well I just have a cup/jar filled with water and I splash my brush around in it before changing colors or after prolonged use. Then I wipe it off on a paper towel and repeat. That usually does the trick while painting. Just make sure you aren't submerging the entire length of the bristles into your paint, mainly 'just the tip'. ...when you are finished painting for the day, then you can run them under tepid water (not hot) and gently work the paint out with your fingers if needed. Brush soap like 'Masters' is really great. Winsor & Newton makes one you can just soak in.

2) palette is definitely the way to go, imo. when I am using my P3 or GW paints I use my cheapy testors (white handle synthetic) brush, that stays in my wash cup, to pull paint out of the pot and onto the palette. From there I can add other paints or water or matte medium etc...

I use a separate (and larger) arts and crafts brush to get paint out of my pots, a #2 plastic bristle cheapie. I rinse brushes frequently to prevent paint from drying on the bristles. I use soap between each color I'm using, unless they are similar shades (red to red, blue to blue, etc.) and encourage you to get a can of brush soap asap as it extends the life and quality of your brushes dramatically. It also lasts forever! My jar is marked '99 and I've gone through no more than 1/5...

When rinsing brushes, swirl them in the water briskly to remove as much of the paint as possible, then drag them lengthwise over a paper towel to remove the exess water and pull any paint out of the base. I'd not use fingers as you may inadvertantly remove bristles as well. There are brush cleaning devices, however they are mainly for larger brushes, and ymmv.

I use water mixed with nail varnish remover to clean my brushes if they are too messed up with dried color. Works like a miracle.

Thanks for the very helpful replies! I'm good to go now, and just ordered some Masters brush soap.

When you get your soap check out this (awesomepaintjob.com) tutorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vC5j4mdlDM&feature=player_embedded

Gunzhard wrote:When you get your soap check out this (awesomepaintjob.com) tutorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vC5j4mdlDM&feature=player_embedded

Thanks a million!

Also, I almost forgot to ask. Is there a different way I need to clean drybrush brushes? For instance, do I have to soap the brush after using each hue, or will water suffice here?

Your drybrush is going to be ruined eventually... The Masters soap will keep it alive for a while though.

I still use the same basic technique to wash mine during painting... though typically I repeat the process several times more than usual.

I use a "special" brush for drybrushing...

That is a cheap tiny-size brush from the local arts store...