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After only a month my brushes are bent, out of shape, dry and simply bad. I've already a lot of things to buy GW related and don't have the money for brushes, so what can I do?

Three words:

Master Brush Cleaner

If you really can't afford a £1 brush from a arts and crafts store, I guess it's time to start fingerpainting. Alternatively, make a brush from your own hair.

Alternatively, take better care of your brushes. You can cut stray hairs with scissors or a knife and reshape the brushes. After use wash them and reshape the point before putting them to dry. Don't leave them brush down in a pot of water.

If your economy's that tough though, maybe a cheaper hobby would be better.

there not €1 where I go, anywhere I know for that matter... Thanks for the tips. My main point was that I didn't want to buy more just after I'd bought some new ones.

The Dark Apostle wrote:
there not €1 where I go, anywhere I know for that matter... Thanks for the tips. My main point was that I didn't want to buy more just after I'd bought some new ones.

Then your thread should've said "help, I don't know how to take care of my brushes".

Here you go: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=acrylic+paint+brush+care

Ok, this is how I restore a brush and I have been able to get about 18mo out of my latest Raphels.

24 hour soak in Windsor & Newtons brush cleaner (do not get any past the ferrule). Followed by a thourogh cleaning with Masters. Dry and use the masters to reshape the hairs.

Good to go.

Thanks.

 Johnno wrote:

Here you go: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=acrylic+paint+brush+care

I absolutely love that LMGTFY site. I never knew it existed, but it is brilliant :-)

Human hair works well. I use my girlfriends hair as she naps next to my paint station. Easy to clean too, I just toss her in the shower, or if I don't want to wake her I just simply singe the ends of the hair off. Easy maintenance. (Seriously though, you can't just use brushes and not take care of them. These are the tools of your craft. Part of that involves maintenance of your equipment. Follow the instructions you find online - it's super simple and you'll get MANY more uses out of your brushes. Also make sure when you mix paint or are in the process of painting be gentle - don't bend the bristles.)

ide like to put a word in on the indestructability and cheapness of your average crayola school crafts. brushes not to mention you can cut them to shape/size. dont get me wrong i have plenty of nice brushes but one time i was painting at like 4 am and the last brush i had started to come undone so i went to the drug store and just got a pack of kids brushes (a $1 pack) and cut the smallest brush down to deatail size (tiny rubber bands to hold tension and then cut myself a nice diagonal) that same brush is still round and kicking 3 years later and makes an appearance at around 4am 2 or 3 times a year when needed

thanks guys, youve really helped me, now my brushes are clean and look brand new!