As I mentioned in an earlier post, cleaning a brush properly after use makes it a better tool in the long run. Ten minutes spent cleaning at the end of the day pays off in easier and better work the next time.

Most paints these days wash out with water and washing-up liquid - but it does require a little perseverance to get all of the paint out of a brush. Let the faucet run and work the bristles with your hands until the water comes off clear. Squeeze the water out and give it a few flicks to get rid of excess water, then put an elastic band around the bristles to hold them together.

You will find that the next time you need that brush, it is softer and less prone to leave brush marks than it was when brand new. In time, the ends of the bristles become worn into the shape that best suits your painting style; this makes them a joy to use. I have seen old decorators using brushes with bristles half their original length, so reluctant is their owner to give them up and break a new set in.

If you are going to be continuing with a job the next day, you can get away without cleaning the brush. Cover the bristles with saran wrap (cling film) and hold it in place with an elastic band. This will prevent the paint from drying overnight and you will be able to carry on painting the next morning. It’s a terrible thing to do to a brush, however, and should be avoided if possible - it just makes cleaning that much more difficult in the end.

All of this can be done with rollers too, although it takes a little longer to get all the paint out of a roller. It’s worth it in the long run, believe me. And, whatever you do, don’t become one of the “oh stick it in some turpentine and then discover it’s gone hard six months later” brigade!

Having bought the paint, it’s merely a matter of putting it on the wall, right? Well, there’s the minor matter of what method you use to apply it. These days, everyone uses a roller and it’s quick, I have to admit. But you’re going to have to buy some brushes to cut in around the fiddly bits anyway so, if you have the time, it’s worth considering doing the whole wall with a brush. In some situations (where it’s important to avoid paint spots flying onto other areas, for instance), a brush is the best solution.

When buying a brush, quality is important. Go for the best you can afford and avoid those awful things with plastic bristles. Again, this will be a saving in the long run because it’s more likely that you will clean the brush after the job if you’ve paid more for it. Cleaning is what turns a tool into a friend rather than something to swear at. Any brush will get better with use and, if you’re the type who buys cheap and throws away after one use, you will never discover the joys of using an old brush that has learned to work with you. Carry on picking out the bristles that a new brush sheds if you really couldn’t be bothered with cleaning properly.

Buy a bigger brush than you think you will need. Those silly little things that people use to cut around edges are just time-wasters. They encourage you to get too picky about details and, before you’ve finished, you’re exhausted. A bigger brush will give you confidence once you’ve found out how easy it is to use and the job will be finished in short order.

If you’ve decided to paint the whole wall with a brush (that’s the spirit!), pick the largest brush you can find. Don’t worry if it seems too unwieldy for you - that’s because you’re holding it incorrectly. Grab the body of the brush just above the bristles with that handle thing sticking out between your fingers and thumb and pointing back at you. If you hold it by the handle, you’ll start making great sweeps with your arm and that will give you a lousy finish, apart from tiring you out. The idea is to use a wrist action, spreading the paint out evenly from where you start. This also makes it easy to brush in many directions, thereby ensuring that you avoid that streaked appearance that the roller was invented to cure. Spread the paint out in all directions from a central spot and your finish will be as good or better than a roller’s.

Okay, now I’ve got you painting, I’ll leave you to it until a later post. Keep that wrist action going and you’ll be able to stay at the job as long as it takes. And your finish will be so good that you’ll want to point it out to visitors!