Painting Tips and Hints

ACRYLIC PAINT Use an old glue cap and put it on an acrylic paint bottle to be able to write in color. Indulgy
ACRYLIC PAINT TIP When bottles of acrylic paints start getting old and have been used frequently, little bits of hardened paint can get inside the bottles. Don't throw them away and buy new ones yet! Instead, cut out a small square of pantyhose or nylon, stretch it over the top of the bottle and replace the cap. It acts as a strainer and you'll get much more mileage out of the bottle. Tole Expressions
ACRYLIC PAINTING TIP Because acrylics dry so fast, squeeze only a little paint out of a tube. If you're using a 'normal' plastic palette invest in a spray bottle so you can spray a fine mist over the paint regularly to keep it moist. About.com Painting
BASECOATING Use a good quality brush with soft bristles for basecoating - one that you use specifically for painting. Use a separate brush for varnishing if you can afford it. Artezan.com

BASECOATING A small sponge roller is an excellent alternative to a brush. It gives a beautiful even eggshell finish and its faster! When choosing a sponge roller, make sure its around 2" wide. When purchasing, make sure that the sponge is a firm, good quality foam. Artezan.com
BRUSH CARE Make sure you clean your brushes after every session at the easel. There are professional brush cleaners you can buy at your local art supply store. Pickering Studio
BRUSHES Do not leave a brush sitting in water. The bristles will act like a wick, drawing water up underneath the ferrule and will eventually dissolve the glue that holds the brush together. Ben Franklin Crafts
BRUSHES Clean brushes thoroughly at the end of the work period by gently stroking the bristles on a wet bar of soap. Use your fingers to work the soap into the bristles and rinse. Repeat the process until all traces of color are gone and the water is clear. Ben Franklin Crafts

COLOR CLARITY WHEN PAINTING Keep the brush your are using clean and dry. With a soft rag, gently wipe the bristles before dipping into new colors. Pickering Studio
DECORATIVE PAINTING A ball point pen that has run out of ink makes a good stylus for trasferring patterns. A recycling tip! Artezan.com
DECORATIVE PAINTING Many light coats of paint are better than one or two heavy coats. Always add a little water to your paint for nice shear coats. Painting On Jars
DECORATIVE PAINTING Store bottles of paint in shallow baskets, grouped by color families. Paint 'n Pine

DECORATIVE PAINTING When doing line work with a script or liner brush, slow down at curves so the bristles keep their pointed shape and don't spread. Folkart.net
DECORATIVE PAINTING When a paint bottle is nearing empty, add a little water, and label it “Thinned” . This paint is great for washes, lettering, vines, or anything else that requires paint thinned to an inky consistency. Folkart.net
DECORATIVE PAINTING - BASECOATING Use a good quality brush with soft bristles for basecoating - one that you use specifically for painting. Use a separate brush for varnishing if you can afford it. Artezan
DECORATIVE PAINTING - BRUSHES Dry brushes facing down. This will help them retain the shape. Dea's Crafty Creations

DECORATIVE PAINTING - BRUSHES If paint has dried on your brush, DON'T soak the brush in water. Instead, dip it back in the paint and work it gently on a piece of scrap wood or paper. The fresh paint will soften the old after a few minutes and you can then rinse your brush. Dea's Crafty Creations
DECORATIVE PAINTING TIP To create perfectly straight painted lines on a flat wood surface, score lines in the wood using a stylus and a see-through ruler. Load a liner brush with thinned paint and follow the depressions created in the wood by the stylus. Tole Expressions
FOAM BRUSHES Foam Brushes are perfect for base painting many wood projects (such as plaques, shelves, boxes, ect). They make base painting quick and smooth looking. The Stencilsmith
KIDS ART APRON Repurpose an over-sized tee shirt into an art apron. Needlepointers.com

PAINT STIRRER TIP Next time you're at the grocery store, pick up a box of plastic coffee stirrers for stirring paint. They're inexpensive and perfect for the job. Tole Expressions
PAINTERS PALETTE Freezer paper makes for great inexpensive painters palette. It is available in most grocery stores anytime of the year. Painting On Jars
PAINTING Place your paint pallet on a damp washrag to slow the drying process. i-crafts
PAINTING When doing line work with a script or liner brush, slow down at curves so the bristles keep their pointed shape and don't spread. Folkart.net

PAINTING Don't store your brushes in an air tight container. If you put them away wet, they will rot. Artistic Seasons
PAINTING Make your own scruffy brush. Dip one of your old brushes in snow tex, rub the snow tex in, let dry, wash, rinse and you have the best scruffy ever made. Artistic Seasons
PAINTING When floating color to shade and highlight let each layer dry before applying subsequent layers otherwise you will lift the paint you just applied. Loew Cornell
PAINTING You can take any pattern to a copy machine and enlarge or reduce it to fit on any surface. Folk Art

PAINTING When a paint bottle is nearing empty, add a little water, and label it “Thinned” . This paint is great for washes, lettering, vines, or anything else that requires paint thinned to an inky consistency. Submitted by Leslie Kobus at Folk Art
PAINTING Baby wipes are handy for quick clean-up of paint spills or to remove paint from hands when necessary. Submitted by Leslie Kobus at Folk Art
PAINTING Don't store your brushes in an air tight container. If you put them away wet, they will rot. Artistic Seasons
PAINTING Place your paint pallet on a damp washrag to slow the drying process. i-craft

PAINTING Use the laser side of junk mail CD's as a paint pallet. It has a finger hole to hold it and colors mix well, and wipe or rinse off easily. i-craft
PAINTING Paint a file cabinet (or an old metal locker) and fill the drawers and shelves with craft supplies, pots, paper goods, plastic storage containers or pantry staples. Country Sampler Decorating Ideas
PAINTING Place your paint pallet on a damp washrag to slow the drying process. i-crafts
PAINTING Use the laser side of junk mail CD's as a paint pallet. It has a finger hole to hold it and colors mix well, and wipe or rinse off easily. i-crafts

PAINTING Whenever a project calls for painting try to use spray paint for large items or painting in quantity. Acrylic paint is excellent for small items. CraftClick
PAINTING Baby oil is the best and most economical product to get oil paints from hands,(and arms, face,etc.)after tole painting. Pat Bennett, Tole World
PAINTING When beginning your painting, always start with the lightest color and finish with your darkest color, this way your paint water will stay clean longer. Painting on Jars
PAINTING Freezer paper makes for great inexpensive painters palette. It is available in most grocery stores anytime of the year. Painting on Jars

PAINTING Don't throw out those old hairblowers, speed up drying time by using these on your projects. The Decorative Touch
PAINTING If you have the type of ceiling fan with solid wood blades, try decorating the underside of the blade with a design to match your decor. For example, a floral design from your drapery fabric, your bed linen, wallpaper design or border design. The Decorative Touch
PAINTING Save plastic yogurt cups to mix paint in. If you need to keep for awhile, cover with plastic wrap, and wrap a rubber band around the cup. Paint 'n Pine
PAINTING To remove paint from projects--vodka works very well--no fumes, no damage to your project--wood, fabric or otherwise--works great, use it on a q-tip or small square of cloth--give it a try, it REALLY WORKS. F. LaReane Sullivan

PAINTING PALETTE Recycle large plastic lids by using them for paint palettes.
PAINTING SMALL ITEMS When painting very small items that need paint on all sides and edges stick a push-pin in them and hold the pin while you paint. Then push the pin head into a piece of Styrofoam® to let the piece dry. Artezan
PAPER PLATES AND PAPER TOWELS Paper plates are a great place to pour your paint. (Quick clean up and cheap). You also want to have a few paper towels nearby, for dabbing/wiping brushes and easy quick cleaning. The Stencilsmith
TOLE PAINTING TIP Use toothpicks for applying paint to fine details, making tiny dots or applying color in hard to reach areas of your project. Tole Expressions