How to paint a brick fireplace?

Vacuum the dust and dirt off and get started.

Patricia: you do not need to sand the bricks... merely clean them well. Prime! (important step) then apply two coats of a GOOD latex paint.

Here's how my painted fireplace looks!

do they have a sealer on them? are they painted or is the "red "the color of the actual brick? https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-paint-a-brick-fireplace/

Consider a whitewash before painting, you will still see more of the brick details. the wash does not need to be white, you could use any color that will complement your room or make you smile. We whitewashed our huge fireplace brick wall after years of feeling like we lived in a dark hole. Actually posted it as a project "massive fireplace brick wall whitewall success"