-Wipe away any mixtures near mounds of colors you are planning to keep
-Always put colors in same place on palette - used up areas should be scraped & wiped for fresh paint for next painting session.
-For disposable palettes - scoop off mounds of paint you wish to keep with your knife and transfer them to a clean sheet; if a skin forms, puncture and remove the skin and work with the fresh color underneath.
-If not painting for a week - cover palette with plastic wrap & place in freezer.
-Wipe to remove excess paint on rags, newspaper, etc.
-Rinse in jar of solvent - do not soak.
-Wipe brush with rags, newspaper to soak up solvent
-Use mild soap (shampoo or dawn), put dab in palm of hand, lather brush in palm moving in circle to work lather into bristles.
-Lather & rinse in lukewarm water until suds are snow white, & rinse with clear water; bristles may discolor.
-Press bristles into neat, compact shape while moist.
-Let dry/store in jar bristle-end up.
-Make a brush washer from a jar and small tuna can - with hammer and nail punch holes in tuna can; place with opening down in jar; fill to 2 inches above the can with solvent; run wiped, soiled brush over the top of the tuna can; silt falls to the bottom of the jar leaving solvent clean.
-Read labels on paints and mediums - some are mildly toxic (cadmium colors)
-Avoid eating or smoking while you paint
-Wash hands thoroughly after painting session; try applying lotion to hands before hand, paints will wash off easier
-Some solvents don''''t produce deadly fumes, however, should be used in well ventilated room - open a window
-Some solvents are flammable and toxic (gasoline, kerosene) - stick to turpentine and petroleum products made for artist''''s use.