Remove the packing "goop" out of new brushes before using with water.

Rinse brushes often when painting

Use old brushes when painting a rough surface

Do not let your brushes stand in water- this will ruin the tips and will also break down the glue that holds the bristles. It is very difficult to do liner work with a brush that has a hook in it which is what happens if a brush is left resting against a surface. Chisel edges will be ruined making them hard to float with. Carefully press your brush down on bottom of the container flaring the bristles like a fan and move back and forth several times removing the paint. Blot on a dry paper towel and lay flat. When you are finished painting give them a thorough cleaning

Try not to get paint down into the ferrule (metal part of the brush) and remove promptly if you do. Paint stuck here will cause the bristles to separate not allowing for a good tip or chisel edge to a brush

Never put your brushes in hot water - use only cold or luke warm, hot water will set the paint into your brushes.

When finished painting take the time to clean your brushes thoroughly
brushes can be either cleaned with cake soap or liquid cleaner

Cleaning with cake soap- I prefer ivory soap for cleaning brushes. Stroke the brush back and forth over the cake of soap then work into a lather in the palm of your hand. Repeat as many times as necessary to remove the paint ( the lather will no longer turn color but remain in its original color) Cleaning with a liquid soap is the same method except that instead of stroking the brush back and forth over the soap you need to place a small amount of the liquid soap in your hand ( I use shampoo for liquid soap remember bristles are hair if you are buying good brushes)

Reshape the brush- I reshape brushes by placing them in my mouth( that's right) bringing liners and round brushes to a fine tip and flat brushes to a chisel edge. Spit makes a great brush shaper !

You can not do good liner work by  just dipping the tip of your brush in paint you must fill the brush with paint

When doing liner work your paint must be the consistency of ink. Dip your brush in water then in the side of the puddle of paint pulling a little of the paint to the side. Stir gently and then dip your brush in the water once more adding water to this paint on the side until the paint is nice and thin like ink

Now load the liner brush by stroking gently back and forth across filling the bristles with the ink consistence paint pulling the brush to a point

Hold your brush perpendicular to the surface do not let the brush handle slant backwards and use only tip end hairs of the brush. You must stay up on the tip end of the brush hairs for maximum control

You can either push the brush towards you or away find which way works best for you I prefer pulling toward me.

If the paint is to thin your line will look faded this means you have added to much water if it looks scratchy you have added to much- adding the correct amount only comes with practice

Do not rest your hand on the surface stick out your little finger using it for support and balance

The amount of pressure you apply will determine the thickness of the line....less pressure the line is thinner more pressure the line is thicker

Focus ahead of your line work rather than right where you painting- you will be amazed how much straighter your line will be

Choose the direction of your light source- if the light source is the left side everything should be lighter on the left side and darker on the right. Do everything the same .........the light only comes from one direction !

Use a darker shade of paint for shading and a lighter shade of paint for highlighting

The method I use for shading and highlighting is called "Floating" it will take practice to become consistent

Steps to floating

Fold a paper towel ( I prefer Viva it has less lint) into quarters

Dip your flat 12 or larger brush into water the bristles will look shiny ..now blot on your paper towel until the shininess goes away

Dip the corner of your brush into a fresh puddle of paint the paint should cover about 1/3 of your brush

Blend on your palette placing your brush and applying pressure onto the palette....place each stroke on top of the last until the paint is well blended on the brush.......going from a dark color on one edge to nothing on the other
Now stroke the paint on to the piece where shading and highlight are needed.

If you shading looks too harsh and does not soften on one side you need to blend more

If you shading looks streaky you took out to much water on the paper towel

For a shinier finish use a satin varnish and for a less glossy finish use a matte varnish

Be sure your piece is completely dry before varnishing

Remove all graphite lines with a art gum eraser

Wipe your piece completely with a tack cloth to remove all dust particles

When applying a varnish use nice long strokes and do not over stroke - this will leave streaky finish

Do not shake your varnish it will cause it to have air bubbles and foaming when you apply it to the piece

Apply 2-3 coats of varnish allowing it to dry thoroughly - drying time will vary according to the humidity in the air and be sure to wipe your piece with a tack cloth each time right before varnishing

When spraying an item spray in a well ventilate area.

Never spray by pointing directly at the item you will get overspray causing yellowing and runs instead spray above the item letting the mist fall down on it

Items to be placed outside need to be protected with varnishes appropriate to outside use and be sure to do all sides