Joe Kutz Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 As opposed to running off topic, figured it would be helpful to the youngsters around here to offer some alternatives... Someone, I think it was Whizard Hlavaz (sp?), mentioned that using a wet sponge was a good substitute for brush-licking. While I still do, and probably will (since I have for almost 20 years) lick my brush - what I have found works really well is a small piece of PVC (1/2" works great) cut in half with a bit of the blotting paper stuff stuck in it. Can't remember the exact word for it, but the paper looks like a big wad of chewed up paper (great visual...I know, but it is the only thing I can think of that it looks like). Wet the paper and stick it into the PVC - works great. One of the the reasons the tongue works so well, is the curve - that will replicate the curve without your tongue. Doesn't take up much space, and it is cheap - cheap. Total cost should be in the $2-3 range depending on how small of a piece of PVC you can get (a lot of places will sell it by the foot). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flit Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I usually just use a paper towel. Nothing fancy just paper towel that I always keep next to my painting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I usually just use a paper towel. That's all I've ever used myself is paper-toweling or a napkin, a damp one and a dry one, the damp one for blotting and reshaping the brush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versutus Vulpes Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I think PTF posted a video of someone priming minis, and they recommended using coffee filters instead of paper towl as there was no lint. If I got the original poster wrong sorry. I thought that it was a pretty cool idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurityThruFire Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I think PTF posted a video of someone priming minis, and they recommended using coffee filters instead of paper towl as there was no lint. If I got the original poster wrong sorry. I thought that it was a pretty cool idea. Sad thing is I can't remember if I posted that or not However, I did see it and I have been using a coffee filter, they work pretty good. I always reshape my brush on a wet spot on the filter/paper towel. I've never been a brush licker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I'm usually a licker, but I have come to realize that certain colours taste really bad. Anybody who's ever gotten a tongue full of truesilver or walnut knows what I mean. Anyway, i"ll give coffee filters a try. When I don't want to lick it myself, I use a flannel wash cloth. I ought to post a pic of the thing. It would not take much to convince somebody that it is the ancient ancestral wash-rag of the Bloodtusk Clan, but we all know orcs don't bathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrush65 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 (edited) During a painting demo I let a couple try some of my Kolinsky brushes. They both work in the dental industry and use WN7 brushes for touching up porcelain inlays etc. They are both adept at pointing their brushes with a wrist snap (load brush with water and snap it in the direction of a paper towel sort of like throwing a dart. Good brushes should form a sharp point). I use a snap test to help judge the guality of new brushes but I cannot always get them to reform a good point this way when working. The palette I use has wells and ramps. I use the rounded side of one ramp to point the brush if I can't get it to snap to attention. Edited September 5, 2007 by thrush65 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerridwyn1st Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 (edited) Old white t-shirts (cut to washcloth size) and the side of my pallet. Also stroking against my hand. Sometimes sponges, papertowels, or napkins if that's what I have handy. Might try the coffee filters, though. I've got a big pack of them that I don't use, since I have a reusable filter for my coffee pot and don't make much coffee anyway. Edited September 7, 2007 by Cerridwyn1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kutz Posted September 7, 2007 Author Share Posted September 7, 2007 Also stroking against my hand. Just to be clear...the soluable heavy metals and solvents - if present - WILL soak through your skin. I have seen that lead to localized skin lesions and other unpleasantries. ____________ Figured I'd toss out an anti-panic disclaimer. The one situation which involved heavy metals was in a plating shop, and the guy habitually did not wear his gloves. Solvents, I have expieranced myself to varying degrees from irritating rashes to painful blisters. BTW - I too, do tend to use the back of my hand (or the palm...or...). Do as I say not as I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerridwyn1st Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Also stroking against my hand. Just to be clear...the soluable heavy metals and solvents - if present - WILL soak through your skin. I have seen that lead to localized skin lesions and other unpleasantries. Well, fortunately, it isn't something I do often. I did tell students in a class one time, "If you leave here and your paper towel is clean, I haven't done my job." That got some laughs, but it emphasized that you need to blot your brush when painting, and that's what the paper towel is for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helltown Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 They make lint-free cloths for folks that do hydraulic work, I know that if you use it for something other than oil-based projects, like acrylic painting you can rinse them to clear the major deposits and reuse 'em. I'll see if I can find a link to something other than the government by-the-bushel bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Kutz Posted September 7, 2007 Author Share Posted September 7, 2007 Sam's club has them by the half bushel if they are the ones I am thinking of. More often than not though...not much smaller than that (you tend to go through them pretty quick). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyrmgear Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 If I have paint on the brush, I will place it against the palette and give it a twist to form a tip, if I just cleaned it, I dip it in soapy water and do a twist-pull through the crease on my left hand under the pinkie. The fold of the skin kinda 'guides' the bristles into a point... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkblade Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 ...and do a twist-pull through the crease on my left hand under the pinkie. The fold of the skin kinda 'guides' the bristles into a point... That's awesome, I do the same thing when I'm not shaping the bristles with my tongue. No fancy gadgets or devices, quick and easy. Simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquila Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 just a paper towel for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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