Similarly, brushes not in use should have the bristles or hair kept under water, that they may remain soft and flexible. It is better, however, when the amateur painter does not know how long it may be before he uses his brush again, to wash the color well out of it by means of a little turpentine, and then allow the brush to dry. When kept in water for some time, the constant soaking will rot the string and the bottom of the wooden handle to which the bristles are attached, and the amateur, on commencing painting, will experience the annoyance of his brush snapping off short like the end of a carrot.