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HOW-TO USE NEW MULTIPURPOSE BRUSHES
There is a reason these brushes have that name! You will be amazed at how many uses you can find for them, and you will want at least two or three sets: one or two sets for china painting and one for your greenware cleaning kit.
Applying Medium or China Paint
Because these durable brushes hold their shape, even after repeated use they are perfect for applying media and china paint to porcelain bisque in preparation for overall washes/tints or blushing. The size of the bisque piece and the size of the area of application will determine which size brush you prefer to use.
- 1. Load the brush with medium or paint and rub it back and forth across the area you wish to cover.
- 2. Use the tip of the brush to push the medium or paint into crevices.
Blending Paint
Applying and blending paint in larger areas on dolls, figurines and other decorative items is a snap with these brushes. For this purpose they are used in much the same manner as square shaders made of animal hair, except that they are more durable and will not wear down as fast. The size of the area of application will determine which size brush you prefer to use.
- 1. Load the brush with paint that has been mixed to a creamy consistency.
- 2. Spread a light coat of paint over the area. If paint does not spread because it is too thick, dip the tip of the brush into a drop of medium you have placed on the tile and rework the painted area.
- 3. After applying paint to the entire area, remove excess paint from the brush by rubbing it back and forth a few times on a Lint-free Towel.
- 4. Finish smoothing the painted area with very light strokes of the brush. The bristles are so soft and fine brush strokes are virtually invisible.
Removing Medium or China Paint
Multipurpose Blenders can be used as clean-up brushes to remove paint or medium from small areas. The Multipurpose Blender/2 works best for this use. Just dampen the brush and wipe.
Cleaning Soft-fired Ware
These brushes are excellent for cleaning facial features and crevices of soft-fired ware. The synthetic bristles are sturdy enough to remove imperfections, yet soft enough not to leave scratches when you are doing the final smoothing of a piece before it goes in the kiln. The Multipurpose Blender/12 can be used for seamlines and other flat areas, while the two smaller sizes are perfect for cleaning around eye rims and those hard-to-reach spots inside and around lips, noses and ears.
- 1. Clean the soft-fired piece in the usual manner. Use a Comfy Scrub or the GreenCleen Brushes to remove seams and smooth edges. Bevel the eyes.
- 2. When the piece has dried enough to loose the shiny, wet look, inspect it very carefully under a good light using a Head Lupe. Look for any tiny scratches, rough spots or imperfections, paying particular attention to the seamlines and facial features.
- 3. Do not put the piece of soft-fire ware back into the water. Wet the appropriate size Multipurpose Blender. Rub the flat side of the brush gently back and forth along seamlines, eye rims and large flat areas until the ware is perfectly smooth. For crevices around lips, nose, ears and other body parts use the tip of the brush.
- 4. Rinse the piece again and re-inspect it after it is dry. Now your piece is ready for bisque firing!
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