Does Watercolor Paint Expire?

Some artists might tell you that watercolor paints and gouache will never go bad and that they’ll last forever. This isn’t exactly true. While you can reactivate dried-out watercolors and other water based paints by adding water, there is a point where it becomes nearly impossible to reuse old watercolor supplies.

What Happens to Old Watercolor Paints?

As mentioned above, there comes a time when you can’t reuse your watercolors. This typically happens when the pigment separates from the binding agent (typically Gum Arabic).

At first, when the pigment separates, it might not be a problem. However, the longer the pigment and binding agent remain separated, the harder it is to fix the dry paint, and also to get it to give you the same paint color as before. Specific colors will also become hard once this happens. When it does, you could save it, but it would require a lot of work and patience to get it done.

There’s also the risk of mold in older or cracked paints. Once the mold is in your paint, you’ll want to throw it away. While you can sometimes scrape the mold off the surface, it’s almost impossible to remove it if it’s inside the paint. If this happens, it would be recommended that you take care of the art supply used to apply the pigment, and any other supplies that were in contact with the mold (brush, watercolor pans, and other art material).

The best way to avoid getting mold in your watercolor paints is to allow them to dry before you close your case completely. You’ll also want to tightly seal your watercolor tube or tubes of watercolors to avoid mold getting in them.

When to Throw Them Away

So, now you might be wondering: when should you throw old watercolors away? Well, the best way to judge that is by trying to reactivate your watercolors.

If it proves too difficult to do, it may be time to throw them away and get a new set. If you’re using too much binding agent or water to get your dried-out watercolors to cooperate, it’s time to reconsider keeping them.

If you’re using too much binding agent or water, the problem quickly turns to the structural makeup of the paints. If you have too much Gum Arabric and not enough pigment, your paints won’t turn out the way you want them to.

How to Store Watercolor Paints Long-Term

The best way to store your watercolor paints will come down to the kind of paint you’re using: tubes or pans.

Tubes

For watercolor tubes, the best way to store them is to make sure they are sealed airtight. There is some debate on whether or not hanging your tubes or laying them flat is better for storage. However, there isn’t significant evidence to prove either side.

It comes down to what works best for you. Many suggest storing them in a clear, plastic container with dividers. This makes it easy to view the contents from the outside and the freedom to keep certain colors together. You could have an entire box dedicated to just yellow watercolors if you want. Alternatively, many have found success by hanging their tubes, cap-side down.

The important thing to remember is to keep the cap on tight. You can even try squeezing the tubes now and then to keep everything inside mixed. Make sure you wipe off any excess paint from the tip of the tube before sealing the cap on. This prevents the paint from drying around the cap.

Pans

When you’re finished using your pan watercolors, the best thing to do is to let them air dry. If there is an excess amount of water, go ahead and gently wipe that up. Please don’t place your watercolors in direct sunlight to dry them. This can damage them.

You want to keep them stored in a cool, dry place, especially if you live in a hot or humid climate. Heat can cause the pans to crack. This doesn’t always affect the quality of the paint. However, it does open you up to the possibility of mold.

You’ll also want to come back to the pans every so often to check on them. This gives you the chance to stop any cracking, shrinking, or breaking of the pans. You can stop most of these things by rewetting the surface of the paint. However, make sure you let them dry completely again before putting them away to avoid mold.

What to Do if Watercolor Paints Dry Out

Sometimes it works out that all you need to do is add a bit of water to your pans to make them work for you again. Other times that doesn’t work.

As long as the pan isn’t hard as a rock, it’s pretty simple to fix the paint. If the pan has become too hard, it may be more trouble than it’s worth. However, you could still try to add some water and see if that helps get the smooth consistency back. It will take time, so be patient with it.

As long as the paint isn’t too hard, try this method of reactivating your dried out paint pan:

Remove watercolor cake. You should be able to pop the cake right out of the pan without too much trouble. If there is some paint leftover at the bottom, that’s fine.
Pour in water. Pour in enough water to fill about half of the pan.
Replace cake. Put the dried watercolor cake back into the pan. Press down slightly so that the water comes up over the edges.
Let it sit. Let this sit for about 30 minutes. It should be completely softened by the end of it.

When watercolor tubes dry out, they become hard. Once this happens, it’s almost impossible to restore them to their former glory while they remain in the tube.

Things to Try if Paint Tubes Become Hard

There are two ways that you can try to save your watercolor paint tubes.

Simply Cut It Open and Add Water

The first, more common way to fix your watercolor paint tubes is to cut open the bottom of the tube and add some water. Allow the water to soften the paint and use it like you would a paint pan.

You’ll want to remove the paint from the tube once you reactivate it. You can put it into a palette well or something similar so you can use it in the future.

Add More Binding Agents

Another way to restore your watercolor tubes is to cut into the tube and remove the dried-out paint. Grind the paint as finely as you can and slowly add in some Gum Arabic or even honey. You can use an old coffee grinder you don’t use anymore to grind the paint. Or you can go really old-school and use a mortar and pestle.

You want to go slowly as you add the binding agent to reach the desired consistency you want. Keep in mind that it may never be as smooth as it used to be.

Final Words

One of the greatest things about watercolor paints is how long they can last. As long as they are well maintained, your watercolor paints could last you 15 years! While they don’t technically expire, they can go bad if they aren’t taken care of. However, you can expect to keep using your paints for at least 2 to 3 years.

Sources

Was this article helpful?

YesNo