A brush care system for cleaning and drying brushes used in cosmetic or fine art painting applications comprises a washing vessel and a drying vessel. The washing vessel includes a cleaner having a cleaning surface against which the bristles of a brush can be agitated for cleaning. The washing vessel and the drying vessel can be secured together for convenient storage and to enclose and store the cleaner. The drying vessel functions as a stand for drying cleaned brushes and includes walls having one or more apertures for ventilating the vessel. The washing vessel may include one or more partitions.