Green Artist Tip: 4 Steps to Turpentine Recycling

Use Turpentine To Clean Oil Paint Brushes

Read post about Cleaning Brushes here.

How To Save and Re-use Turpentine:

You will need two jars with lids and a rag /paper towel

1. Swirl Dirty Brush in Clean Turpentine in Jar #1
2. Let Paint Settle to Bottom of Jar #1
3. Pour Turpentine from Jar #1 to Jar #2- Put lid on jar #2 and store recycled turpentine.
4. Wipe Out Jar #1 (while paint is still wet) and reuse jar later.




Swirl Dirty Brush in Turpentine

  

Let Paint Settle to Bottom

 

It takes several hours for paint to settle.  Just put a lid on it and go back to it later.

 

Carefully Pour Clean Turpentine from Jar #1 to Jar #2

Once paint has settled, be careful not to agitate jar.  Pour clean turp into clean empty jar.





Jar #2 Containing Recycled Turp



       

Clean Turp in jar #2 can be stored for later use. Store with tight fitting lid.



Wipe Out Paint from Jar #1 to Re-use Jar

Wipe out jar #1- this now becomes your empty clean jar for next time.  Let rag or paper towel dry and then throw in trash.

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Latest Art Supplies Coupon Codes

Updated 12/19/15

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Jerry's email offer Free shipping on $50.

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Utrecht Coupon Codes

Utrecht Art Supply Coupon Codes

Utrecht Coupon Codes

Updated August 7, 2013 

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MORE ART SUPPLY COUPON CODES HERE

5 Best Gifts for Oil Painters

5 Best Gifts for Artists

Richeson Kolinsky Sable
Oil Brushes are handmade
 with gold ferrules
 and walnut handles

1. Palette Knife Set- Best Painting Knives; Made in Italy:

Set of 12 available at ItalianArtStore.com

Richeson Set of 6 available only at CheapJoes.com

2. Paint, Professional Grade Oil Paint

RGH, Gamblin,Williamsburg, Old Holland, Rembrandt

3. Brushes- High Quality

Hog Bristle-  available at Blick Art Materials

Hand-made Richeson Kolinsky Sable Brushes at RexArt.com

4. Art Marketing Book- I'd rather be in the studio!

5. Painting Supports- High Quality 

Art Panels available at JohnAnnesley.com

Oil Primed Linen (Canvas) available at Utrecht's Double Oil Primed Linen Clearance!

Artist Gift Shopping Deals

See my next post for Art Coupon Codes

Green Artist Tip: Cleaning Paint Brushes

Keep Paint Out of Drains and Ground Water!

• Save paint to palette for reuse, if possible. (or to paint can or paint bucket).
• Wipe as much paint off of brush onto cloth rag or paper towel before using any water or solvent.  
• Use smallest amount of water or other solvent needed to wipe off additional paint to rag. If you put this in a recycled disposable container, and keep dipping, you keep even more paint out of the drain. 
• ~ In the case of water, you can then let it evaporate from container and wipe out loose paint. This container is then ready to clean brushes again. 
• ~ In the case of turpentine, you can then let paint settle and pour off clean fluid to a clean jar. The paint sediment can be wiped out of dirty jar with a rag. 
• Allow the rag or paper to dry completely before putting it in the trash.

Do you have a tip to share? Do you want to comment or add to this tip?  Please click 'comments' below.

Frugal Artist Tip: Clothespins for Drying Paint Brushes? Yes, Clothes Pins

After washing and reshaping paint brushes, (See: Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes)

• Clip each to a clothes pin.
• Set on edge of a counter or table with the bristles toward the ground.
• Allow to drip dry.

Water drips out of metal ferrule . This keeps water from collecting inside ferrule which helps prevent bristle damage.
On a beveled countertop you will need to anchor clothespins with something: a piece of wood works well  or clip a 2nd clothes pin onto the one holding the brush.

I have found wooden clothespins at a small local hardware store or for an even better price at a dollar store. 

Do you have a great art tip to share?  Post below- just click 'comments.'

Frugal Artist Tip: Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes

Ten Easy Steps to Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes

1. Remove excess paint onto palette (if there is a lot) or onto paper or rag. 
2. Dip or swish in very small amount of solvent- I like weber odorless turpenoid. 
3. Wipe on clean part of rag until relatively clean.  Repeat until no color shows on rag. 
4. Now get all the paint out:  Moisten brush with cool or warm water and scrub on a bar of ivory soap    (that's right, "the soap that floats"). 
5. Now scrub the brush around on the palm of your hand, working soap all the way up to the metal ferrule.  You might wear glove or plastic bag to protect from potential paint toxins.
6. Wipe off excess lather on cloth or rag.
7. Rinse with warm water.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until lather no longer shows color.
9. Shake out water and reshape bristles with fingertips.  I've also used a rubber band or plastic twisty-tie to reshape resistant brushes.  Just wrap twistie-tie around bristles when wet- remove when dry.  
10. Let dry on side or in a container bristles up/ handles down. Or hang bristles down.  See Best Way to Dry Brushes here. 

Look at BJ's or other bulk store for the 24-pack of ivory bars.  You will save money on cleaning supplies and keep your brushes in great shape for many years.

If you have a tip to share, please click 'comments' below.

Frugal Artist Tip: 5 Ways To Preserve Paint Brushes

Good Paint Brush Care:

1. Store brushes with handles down and bristles up.* 
2. Clean out all of the paint thoroughly immediately after each painting session.
3. Reshape bristles after cleaning. 
4. Do not soak brushes in water or solvent.
5. Do not use hot water- it has been known to cause bristles to fall out.

* Unless you can hang them in some way.

With good brush care you will keep your paint brushes for many, many years.

Do you want to comment or add to this tip? Please click 'comments' below.