Ways to Fix Melting Watercolor Paint

Last post, I showed how my watercolor paints melted.

Here’s what I’ve learned to get my watercolor paints dry:

1. Use an oven at about 200 degrees. Why I won’t: we have no oven AND the plastic would melt. 
2. Place in freezer or refrigerator. Why I won’t: condensation, lol. 
3. Keep in Ziploc bag with reusable desiccant packs. Result: The desiccant packs need constant swapping. When I used the paint, the paint stayed damp. Damp paint and wet desiccant packs let the paint melt again. 
4. Took the paint to Miami for air conditioning to dry them out. Result: This worked, but when we got home, it took a day to return to melted. 
5. Keep paints in air conditioning or a dry room type of place. Result: I’ll never use the paints ever again. 
6. Use something else. Result: Bulkier purse…which is why I began using watercolor in the first place. 
7. Try different watercolor brands of paint. Result: I might have a winner, but rainy season will tell. If my new brand stays as “pills” during rainy season…but if not, I may try yet another brand. 

So. 

I’m not one to really give up on adding color to my sketchbooks. 

So. 

I’ve added color pencils. Dissatisfying between the sharpening and how much color it really adds compared to effort, but at least it’s color.

So. 

I guess I have little choice than to wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily will be ok. 

So. 

I’ve asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community if they’ve had this problem. Artist Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try a particular paint brand. I’ll be trying it…but for now it’s dry season…and rainy season will be the real test. 
Being in dry season didn’t help the watercolor paint that’s already melted…as I just keep laughing!

When your watercolor pills turn into sticky caramel taffy, the watercolor paint stays home. I keep this kit and a few others inside a very well sealed Ziploc bag, flat, on a shelf. With this kit, I’m lucky it’s taffy caramel like…because my other kit’s paint turns into thick water and runs into the other pans.