Regarding the cleaning of brushes: I grew up as a sign painter’s son and we had some of the most expensive brushes made (much more than what us artists pay). When finished with lettering a sign we would swish the brush in some mineral spirits, wipe it a few times and when it was clean, dip it into a jar filled with motor oil. The brushes were then laid flat into a sign box. When we needed a brush we would wipe out the oil, swish it in mineral spirits and wipe it clean. I don’t know where this idea of cleaning brushes (oil painting ones) with water ever came from. It’s elementary, oil and water do not mix. Oh, and my brushes from the sign painting days are over thirty years old, still sitting in their oil, and are in great shape.

Okay, cheeky answer aside, I’m with Allie. That period of uncertainty at the beginning of a painting when I just have no idea how to pull it off (and can’t quite remember that I have this feeling with every painting and that with every painting it ultimately passes) bugs me. Love the feeling of coming out of it, though.

also, not so much a technical thing but more a state of mind… the first few days of a new painting, before it all starts to come together. You know, when it becomes clear that whatever you thought before, you can’t actually paint, and can’t remember how you managed to ever do a painting before because the knack has left you, seemingly forever.
this, however, is (hopefully) followed by one of the least annoying things about painting: once you get over that first hurtle, stop struggling, and really start to enjoy your work again. when everything finally starts to come together.
worth the annoying bits, in my opinon.