Your creativity deserves the very best and as brushes are integral to your painting experience, we wanted to share some tips and tricks with you. We want to help you choose the best tool and to keep your favourite brushes at your side for a long time. Brushes are used many times over, and are worth the investment (and yes, we know that some brushes are truly an investment, but they are worth it!) so whether you invest in the very best of the best, or the best that your budget allows, we want to make sure you can keep these with you for years to come.

Use the best tool for the job: Synthetic brushes, as opposed to natural hair, work best when you are painting with acrylic. Natural hair is best for watercolour, and oil paint appreciates a stiff hog bristle. Take a quick dip: While painting, periodically immerse your brushes in water or solvent to keep paint from drying on your bristles.

Get in shape: To protect the shape of your brushes, let your brushes dry thoroughly—lying flat or suspended bristle down, so moisture can flow out of the brush.

High & dry: Keep your handles dry to avoid loosening and cracking. Have your water or solvent container filled so the liquid covers the brush head only.

Keep bugs out: Use an air tight container when storing your natural hair brushes to protect them from insects. Ensure brushes are completely dry before storing.

Do you know where your brushes are? Store your completely dry synthetic brushes in breathable containers made for brushes or in a toolbox with a separate place for brushes. Your brushes should be stored so the bristles will not be bent or pushed against the sides of your container.

Plastic telescoping brush holders with ventilation hole, bamboo roll-ups, canvas holders and brush easels are ideal storage or transportation choices as they protect your brushes from damage.

Be gentle: Expensive natural bristle brushes will wear out very quickly if used on rough surfaces including rough or textured canvas. Synthetic brushes are more suited for these types of surfaces and aren't as costly to replace.

While all brushes have a lifespan, some will naturally last longer than others. The brushes which are often considered 'an investment' will provide you with years of painting pleasure as they are often handmade from only the finest hairs and materials available. Combine good brush manners and excellent quality brushes and you will be able to keep your favourite brushes at your side for years, making it all worthwhile.

- Wash your brushes as soon as you finish painting. Dried paint, especially acrylic paint on your bristles, make for very poor brush manners.
- Using cool or lukewarm water, completely lather the brush using artist's brush cleaner or soap. Work the lather into the brush from the joint of the ferrule and the hair to the tip of the brush to remove all paint.
- When you are cleaning your brushes, pay special attention to the area around the ferrule. Build up of paint in this area, as well as between the hairs of your brush, will prevent your brush from returning to its ideal shape.
- A jar with a coil or ribbed bottom provides a non-abrasive surface to scrub the brush when rinsing between colour changes or before a thorough cleaning.
- Reshape the bristles and let the brush dry
fully while laying flat or suspended with the bristles facing down.