"The Masters" Brush Cleaner and Preserver

[Chris Kolupski]

Tim, good point. Incidently, I have reverted back to simple Gamsol. I spent a week at Incaminati with Nelson Shanks and he advocates wiping out lights with a OMS-soaked rag. I now use a little Artguard (W&N) as a barrier cream and hope for the best. Incidentally, Incaminati has changed my life as a painter.

[Michele Rushworth]

Chris, do you have contact information for them? I wasn't aware they had already started offering classes. I sent an e-mail via a contact on Nelson Shanks' website and I haven't heard anything back.

Thanks!

[Mike McCarty]

Chris,

How about giving us some insight regarding your week at Incaminati. (Maybe another thread)

The application (selection) process, how many students in your class, did you spend much time with N. S.? Do they now have the dormitories? What did your day consist of? What else ...?

[Mari DeRuntz]

I also tried the email address on Shanks' site, after reading about Incaminati in the December 2002 Portrait Signature, but like Michelle, had no response. Can't seem to find any workable contact, and am very interested, Chris, if you have something like a phone number you could post.

[Tom Edgerton]

Chris--

I worked out my own mixture of Turpenoid Natural and Dawn dishwashing liquid, a 50/50 mix, that's a great end-of-day brush cleaner, and it doesn't cost much--a lot cheaper than commercial artists' soaps. If the paint's a little stiff or hard, I just wet them down and let them soak a while. Works great, and rinses out of the brush well.

Sometimes I put just a spot of mineral spirit in the same mixture to give it a little cutting power, but I'm not as worried about solvents as some folks.

BTW, if you're worried about skin contact, the cheap vinyl gloves hairdressers use are good. Eliminates problems for those sensitive to latex, and they're thin enough that you can still feel what you're doing.

[Michele Rushworth]

Here's a phone number for them: 215-592-7910. I hope to take a workshop there in 2004.

[Timothy C. Tyler]

I'm trying to take very good care of my brushes. I have lost too many through lazy or bad behavior in the past. When I clean mine with say, OMS - then use oil soap more color comes off the brush - thus I figure this a good procedure. Furthermore, beware that any "cleaner" you leave on your brush will end up in your painting the next day.

[Chris Kolupski]

Mike and others, I apologize for not answering sooner. By way of explanation, I have a 1998 iMac that hates the internet. I have not been able to log on since my earlier post. I am currently logged in on my mother-in-law's computer

[Mari DeRuntz]

Chris, thank you so much for your thoughtful review. I've copied it over to the Atelier section of the Forum, for future reference ease.