Total Art Soul - for artists

That is another good idea. I have to get busy and organize my paintbox, and see exactly what I have and what I need.
I am gradually getting my family get it that I really am going to
continue to paint at least 2-3 days a week. More if I can manage it.
There is only 1 baby in the family that I wouldn`t paint while he is here in my care, and I only have him for a few hours twice a week.
I had been hesitant to have the paints out with the other 3 boys, but that evening when Ben stood behind me watching and then advising me that I needed to put water UNDER the boat changed my mind on that one. I still smile when I think about how a 4 yr olds mind works. I know he debated with himself before saying that, because of how long he stood there watching, and how animated he got gently expaining where water goes in a picture with boats in it. lol

erm...i have sometubes of paint from when i was 16 years old...and i'm almost 36 now ;-D, but i have some tips which may help you preserve the ones you have.

glass jars can be used, but the problem of them drying out completely is something that can't be avoided...however you can place them in the freezer and this will help extend their shelf life significantly.

what i have done in the past is collect any kind of plastic screw top tube i can lay my hands on from hair treatment tubes, spot cream, medical tubes etc....just give them a thorough wash and they are ready to be the new home for your oils (dont forget to dab the colour on the outside so you know which colour is in which tube).

you could use little plastic envelopes or bags to squeaze the oils into seal with tape or wax and again freaze to preserve them.

when youre ready to use a colour, just pull it out of the freazer and its ready to use straight away as it doesnt need to be defrosted at all in either method. just snap some wax away...squeaze and reseal.

hope these help

I have an array of oil painting tips, so i will post them for all to see soon

I would never had thought of sticking them in the freezer! What a wonderful tip. Thanks so much!

my pleasure...i use oils all the time and got sick of the pallette drying out quickly when i had my tones perfected...one day i just stuck them in the freazer and they were still useable and soft after 6 days of being in there.

use a micro pallette though like a plastic takeaway lid...nothing worse than getting vermillion on a chocolate gatue, though it was still eaten...paint included...lol

Haha!

I have several of Masterson's Stay Wet palettes that seal. When I'm done with the oil paints for the day, I seal it up and stick it in the freezer, too. Works wonderfully.