Taking care of your watercolor paints ensures they last longer and perform well. The fundamental step, as noted in the reference, is proper storage.
Properly caring for your watercolor paints involves mindful storage and clean usage practices to maintain their quality and longevity.
The key to keeping your watercolor paints in good condition is proper storage. According to the provided reference, you must keep your watercolour paint in a cool, dry place and make sure the lids are tightly closed to prevent evaporation and keep the paint from drying out. This applies whether you have paint in little plastic pans or in liquid form (tubes or bottles).
Essential Care Tips for Watercolor Paints
Following these practices will help preserve your paint's vibrancy and usability:
- Storage is Crucial: As highlighted by the reference, store your paints in a cool, dry location. Avoid extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or humid environments.
- For pan sets, ensure the palette box is closed when not in use.
- For tubes or bottles, always screw the caps on tightly. This prevents the paint from drying out due to evaporation, keeping it ready to use.
- Keep them Clean: Prevent dust, debris, or other foreign materials from getting into your paints.
- Wipe the rims of paint tubes before closing them if paint is caked on.
- Clean your palette thoroughly after each painting session to avoid dried paint buildup, which can contaminate fresh colours later.
- Use Clean Water: Always use clean water when activating pan paints or mixing tube paints. Using dirty water can dull colours and introduce contaminants into your palette or pans.
- Avoid Over-Wetting Pans: While pans need water to activate, avoid letting excess water sit in the pans for extended periods after you finish painting. Close the palette once the pans are surface-dry, if possible, before packing away. Some artists prefer to let them dry completely before closing for very long-term storage, especially in humid climates, but generally, allowing them to become surface-dry is sufficient.
- Handle Tubes Gently: Don't squeeze tubes excessively hard, which can cause them to split or waste paint.
Quick Care Reference
Here's a simple summary of key care points:
| Aspect | Action | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Cool, dry place | Prevents heat damage, mold, humidity issues |
| Lids/Caps | Keep tightly closed | Stops evaporation, prevents drying out |
| Cleanliness | Keep paints, palette, water clean | Maintains color purity, avoids contamination |
| Water Use | Use clean water | Ensures vibrant colors |
By following these simple steps, particularly the essential storage advice from the reference – keeping them in a cool, dry place with tightly closed lids – you can significantly extend the life and quality of your watercolor paints.
