Callie, great advice! I'll be working on some swatches. Next time I order some more paint I'll just make sure to order several tubes of each color that I'm using. I've always made swatches in the past but with the Holbein being so difficult for me to find locally it leaves me not wanting to use paint liberally. I'll stop thinking that way as I think that it's counterproductive.

I'll test the W&N on their own after I can find some thinner to use with them. They would be easier to find. I'm also want to test just using the Lukas Berlin and see how they preform. Several things to test out for the current challenge.

One thing that I would probably work with the W&N is the walnut oil. So I can test that out.

It's really eye-opening to see how the same colors can vary between brands. If you make swatches, you won't have any surprises when mixing with new, untried colors. Better a few little swatches than some unusable (wasted) piles of paint because the color didn't come out as expected!

Good idea to buy a few tubes of each color. That way, there's no need to get stingy if you're close to the end of a tube.

Another thought - for anyone who usually starts out with little pea-sized dabs on the palette - Try painting with a palette knife. Having to squeeze out more paint after every other knife stroke will soon have you globbing that paint on the palette!

Callie

Callie, You're so rite regarding unusable piles. I sometimes end up with mountains of paint. I did purchase some containers that are meant for beads to try and store leftover paint in. I still would like to hit the color I want without ending up with big piles of paint so the swatches are the way to go. I did order 2 tubes of each color last time I ordered the Holbein from Dick Blick but if I decide to stick with the Holbein I'll up it to 5 tubes. Some colors I don't use that often so the next time I order it might be less for certain colors. I haven't tried a palette knife yet. I'm really uncoordinated but I see how it can help in breaking bad habits in stinginess with paint. It might help me with loosening up as well. I have a tendency of going to tight. Thank you for the great advice and tips!

I hate to waste paint, and I hate having to squeeze out more paint even more. So much so that I'll try to make up a colour with impossible mixtures just because that's what I have left on my palette. Creative? NO! Just a great way to ruin a painting. Blue and red do not make green. Repeat to self... My biggest problem? Muddy colours. I get lazy and in a hurry. So my advice is to squeeze out that extra paint - more than you think you need, in fact! but cover up your palette with Press N Seal at the end of a session so it won't dry out for a few days. Saran wrap works too. Or buy small containers you can scoop the paint into for next painting session. Being miserly with paint only leads to frustration. You can save the paint, even mix a bunch of unused colours together for nice neutrals.

I've used saran wrap and press and Seal and both work well, but I also put my paints in the refrigerator if I'm not going to use them for a few days. It makes them last slightly longer.

judy

Chantal, great tips and I'll be trying the contrainers to put my paint in as I never know when my next session will be. Blue and red do not make green.... I've done that before too. I don't lay out all my colors on my palette because I find if they're their I'll use them all. I just start with 2 tubes and from their only add 1 color at a time constantly trying to use what's already on my palette to acheive the color I want. I'm very familiar with mud. I still abuse white as well resulting in that chalky look. Thank you for your help!

Judy, Do you know how long approximately that the refrigerator can extend the working time? Do you think they would last a week?

Cold temperature is generally not recommended for any length of time for oils. It can cause the dried film to be weaker from what I've read. I don't know if the other things in the miscibles would make a difference for that, doubt it. For 2-3 days it shouldn't make much difference, however. The main precaution to slow the drying is to keep out as much air as possible. Cold shouldn't matter. It might be a good test to see if a palette left out but covered in the same way dries any faster than paint in the fridge.

I agree that the air tightness of the storage container for the palette is the most important consideration.

I'm here to say that I'm miserly with my paint and perfectly happy to stay that way.

I only keep the paint in the refrigerator for 2 day and rarely for three. I keep it covered tightly with saran wrap.

I've never noticed a problem. Of course,I don't do this on a regular basis: only if I have a good amount of clean paint on the palette and I know that I won't have time to paint again for a few days.

Judy

Good to know that, David -
I left my paints (Artisan) in the car for a few days in the winter (below freezing at night), and they were never the same afterwards. They got really hard to squeeze out of the tubes - I had to get a tube-wringer. So I've never wanted to try putting my palette in the freezer.

I have a round airtight palette box I put in the freezer. I have never had any trouble with this method no matter how many days it is in there.

brushoff, Thank you for that tip! Great solution for long term. I'm glad it works.

My problem is not being able to find tubes of paint that are big enough, or rather I'd love it if W&N sold Artisans by the quart or gallon! I love slathering the paint onto the surface, holding back seems to be more of a problem for me than letting go. But... reading this thread helps me relate to my students and helping them to let go as cost is a big issue for them.

Kimberly