Acrylic artists often struggle with paints drying prematurely on their palettes or https://stagramer.com/banya-iz-kelo-dostoinstva-i-opisanie.html inside tubes

While acrylic paint is inherently quick-drying, everyday mistakes can turn a manageable issue into a major headache

Here are the top five mistakes that cause your acrylic paints to dry out prematurely

Nothing accelerates evaporation faster than an open palette

The instant your paint is exposed to oxygen, drying commences

Chatting with a friend or answering a phone call can turn your palette into a dried-out wasteland

Keep your paints hydrated by using a spray-misted towel, sealed palette tray, or resealable plastic cover

Adding too much water to your acrylics may improve flow, but it destroys the paint’s structural integrity

Excessive water breaks down the resin that holds pigment together, resulting in paint that dries before you even finish a stroke

The resulting paint layer becomes brittle, prone to cracking, and loses its adhesive strength

Use purpose-built extenders like acrylic flow medium or retarder instead of water to retain color strength and working time

Painting in low-humidity, high-heat, or drafty spaces dries out your paint before you can use it

Even a slight breeze or radiant heat can evaporate moisture in under a minute

Try to paint in a controlled environment with moderate temperature and humidity

A small humidifier nearby can help significantly if you're in a dry climate

Fourth, not cleaning your brushes properly between colors can lead to dried paint buildup

Caked-on paint on bristles creates a false impression that your palette paint is unusable

The problem isn’t your paint—it’s your brush’s buildup

Rinse, swirl, and reshape your brushes after every color change to preserve both brush and paint

Improper storage is the quiet destroyer of acrylic paint

Over-squeezing tubes and failing to seal them leads to unavoidable drying and spoilage

The moment a tube is opened, evaporation starts from the surface, creating a skin

Never leave paint exposed on your palette longer than necessary—cap tubes and minimize exposure

If you paint often, a professional wet palette is a game-changer that preserves paint for days, not minutes

Eliminating these habits leads to cost savings, less waste, and a far more relaxed painting process

Acrylic painting doesn’t require speed; it rewards patience and smart technique

With a few simple adjustments, you can keep your colors vibrant and ready to use for as long as you need them