Short Answer: Try to limit exposure to all those toxins that you come in contact with. Keep all equipment in good working condition to reduce the need to replace parts. Store work materials in a clean, dry, well ventilated area that will not be exposed to extreme temperature changes and that won’t have corrosive fumes. Use clean, sharp materials. Take a few hours every day to wipe down your equipment and keep it in top shape.
Long Answer:
• Don't leave your work areas smelling like a nightclub. If you've been working in a studio for an extended period of time, the stress of keeping your studio clean can become overwhelming. Keeping the place fresh can be a bit of a balancing act. The key to a clean studio is to find a balance between the time spent maintaining and the amount of cleaning products you use to maintain. Because we don't want to spoil the enthusiasm of learning the craft, we won't make you change your technique. All we ask is that you have some idea of how your studio smells after a few days of working in it.
• All that dust can really take a toll on your production. One of the greatest concerns of today’s illustrators is dust. Not only does dust keep your work in pristine condition, it protects your work as well, since it can affect your visibility. To avoid the effects of dust, clean your materials thoroughly. Use a fine or medium tip sable brush to reach small nooks and crannies. Avoid steel wool, which can damage delicate surfaces and put abrasive particles on your final work.
• When materials are stained or otherwise discolored, the most straightforward way to restore them is with clean, well-mixed black or gray paint or ink. Because it's made with only the necessary ingredients, it's easily washable. We usually recommend P3 steel-based paint. For all-over application, especially in large areas, a spray can can save a lot of time. We usually advise using a mask because the smell and fumes can bother some people.
• Avoid using solvents as much as possible. The best solution is to spray paint or spray ink on surfaces that you wish to protect, then wash the surfaces with water. It's less harmful to the work if you use a spray can than to use a solvent-based paint or ink. The best way to protect against the harmful fumes of solvent-based paint is to stay indoors.
• Take the time to polish your tools to help make sure they're really in good shape. You don't have to polish them every day, but if you go an entire week or more without polishing them, they'll get dull.
• If your tools begin to go in a bad direction, before you purchase new materials, make sure you are replacing your worn-out equipment with good quality alternatives. A quick trip to your local craft supply store can help you determine what kind of tool you need.
• Don't be a cheapskate. Invest in high quality materials that will stand the test of time and don't take any shortcuts when it comes to materials. It might seem expensive, but trust us, you're going to appreciate the difference in quality.
• The best way to clean any part of your tools is with water. Water is very effective at cleaning. It also won't cause any harm to your work. The main reason people use chemicals is because they don't like the smell. With a few rinses of water, it will also take the smell out.
• There are several tools and materials that are used to clean brushes. We recommend purchasing the following:
• For cleaning brushes:
A soft brush
A clean rag
A dry towel or rag
A medium sable brush
