For an artist, brushes represent the success or failure of your career. Good artist brushes mean smooth painting and the ability to accurately transfer your artistic vision to a wall or canvas. Brushes of poorer quality can make for a frustrating painting experience.

But once you've chosen the artist brushes that are right for you, you've got to take good care of them. Here's a quick tutorial on keeping your brushes in good shape.

Cleaning Artist Brushes. Clean your brushes as soon as you're done with them. You can use a formulated brush cleaner to remove paint from the bristles, then use soap and warm water. Since many artist brushes are made of real hair, you can use shampoo to wash them out as well.

Soaking Artists Brushes. To keep your brushes soft, you can soak them in water or brush cleaning solvent when you're not using them. To protect their shape, let them dry in an upright position.

Storing Artist Brushes. After washing or soaking your brushes, allow them to dry thoroughly before storing them. Make sure they have plenty of room, and won't crowd up against each other or the walls of the container. A tool box is a great place to store your artist brushes.

Conditioning Artist Brushes. You can use lard oil to condition your artist brushes. Spread them out on an old towel, place a drop or two of oil on each set of bristles, and gently work the oil into the bristles with your fingers. Then, wrap the brushes in a towel and store for a few days. The oil will be absorbed into the bristles.

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