What to do with dried out tubes of Gouache
Given the cost of good quality paints I have found the following prevents some waste.
When tubes of gouache dry out (usually colours I do not use as frequently) I remove the dried paint from the tubes, crush it and put the powder into small jars which have lids. Then I add a small amount of water and a drop of Gum Arabic with the gouache, mixing it thoroughly. It is a good idea to label the jars with the colour. These are then suitable to be used for washes.
Another suggestion is to use a couple of drops of water to the powder and make a paste. Then place it either in a watercolour pan or ice cube trays to dry onto a cake form.
This works best when the paint is a reputable brand. Always make sure the paint for washes is mixed well and test the paint before using it on the current project. Age of the paint will affect the quality but it is worth a try.
Thanks for this! I have some tubes of W&N that are dried out but were pricey so I don’t want to toss them.
I am glad it was useful. I don’t waste much at all even when it has dried on the palette it is easy to rewwet and use.
cheers
Gerry
Hello Gerry,
what do you use to crush the dry paint that you get out of the tube? I’m trying to use a palette knife but that doesn’t work well
Carlos
Hi Carlos
I use mortar and pestle. I got 2 from the Reject shop some years ago. I often mix the water and gum with it then. Then it is OK to put in an airtight container.
I must admit I have not had to use them for awhile.
Other times I just soak some of the dried paint in a bit of water and a drop of gum.
I hope tis helps.
Cheers
Gerry
Thank you, Gerry!
I was given some dried gouach (Pelikan if I remember correctly) . After removing it from the tubes and putting the pieces of gouach and some water into airtight small containers, the contents went mouldy. Does grinding the paint prevent mould from forming? Maybe there was too much water. I threw those out. Now my W&N tubes have dried. Any other tips ?
Thanks,
Pia
Hi Pia
I have not used Pelikan. W&N are good quality paints so you may have better luck.
I must admit that I have not experienced mould. I do grind the paint up however. How long did you have them in water in the containers?
Do you use a bit of the gum arabic?
I will do some checking with a friend who may have some other suggestions and get back to you.
Cheers Gerry
Hi Pia
apparently Pelikan do not have a product in the paint which prevents the organisms from growing. Winsor and Newton do as do most of the better quality paints.
Hope that helps
cheers Gerry
Thank you Gerry,
I probably left the gouache in too much water for too long. Never occurred to me to use gum arabic. I shall follow your suggestions for the W&N gouache.
Thanks,
Pia
I do hope it works for you.
Let me know how you go.
cheers
Gerry
Hi Gerry I have about 70 tubes of various colours of WN they date back from my university stash that I’ve been carrying around for all these years, now that I’ve literally moved to the woods and the nearest art supply store is a hundted miles away I’ve started to rescue these wonderful paints as you know the quality and ingredients were much less having the price of ingredients effect the paint. So I read in your opening this reconstruction makes it possible to use as a Wash, how do I take it back to an opaque Velvet quality that makes this medium so wonderful to work with?
Hi Marc,
one of the things I try to make sure of is that the bacteria has less chance of forming so I use bottled water. I have not been able to get it back to the perfect consistency but I mix in a little gum arabic which helps to bring back that lustre. I have also found that a bit of OX Gall also assists in the flow. It has been a bit of playing around. I find that it is better to mix up what you need when you need to use it.
I must admit that I have been spending more time with acrylics of late. I have used Daler Rowney for years now so I am not overly familiar with W&N products.
I will have to get back into the gouache soon as I have some demonstrations to do in the new year. You are right, it is beautiful to work with and the colours are so vibrant.
What do you paint?
Good luck with it all.
Is there a way I can store my tubes of gouache to prevent them from drying out so fast? Maybe in the refrigerator? Any ideas? Thanks.
Hi Susie. I have no fast and sure ways other than using artists quality paint and keeping the tube lids properly sealed when not in use. I keep my gouache in a sealed plastic container away from extreme temperatures. It is the same with all my paints. I have never tried the refrigerator. However the longer you keep them the greater the chance they will dry out. That old saying “the only way to waste paint is to leave it in the tube” applies. The brand I use is Daler Rowney and many of the tubes have been around for over 3 years and are still good. It is a beautiful medium to use. Happy painting.