How do I clean and store professional brushes?

Clean your brushes straight after every session in warm water with a little mild soap, and never leave them standing upright in water, as this can distort the synthetic bristles. For acrylic paint, the key is not to let it dry in the ferrule, the metal part that holds the bristles.

1. Rinse the brush in warm water before the paint dries, working the water through the bristles.
2. Add a little mild soap and gently work it into the bristles, avoiding the ferrule where possible.
3. Rinse well until the water runs clear.
4. Reshape the tip with your fingers and leave the brush to dry flat or head up.

To make your brushes last longer, follow this routine after every use and store them flat or head up, never resting on the bristles. Replace a brush when the bristles are splayed, damaged or no longer hold their shape, as this will affect the accuracy of your painting.