How much paint?

[ariel5466]

Is there any kind of trick to judging how much paint it will take to cover an area? I hate mixing just the right color and then running out part way through, if I have to struggle with getting just the right match it totally disrupts my flow. I tried mixing with larger amounts but I found myself wasting more paint than I could afford.

[friesin]

I think its a question of experience.
In my early acrylic times I always had pretty too much colour on my palette which I then used for painting postcards.
In the end I had so many of them that they would last my life time!

Then I slowly got accomodated to using my paints.

And I am not getting nervous anymore if the amount of premixed colour is too small: I just mix it once more which seems to be another effect of getting more experienced.

Just go on painting, I'm sure you rather soon will know how to charge your paint adequately !

[chammi kaiser]

Hi there. If you feel you are not sure and have perhaps mixed too little paint, rather mix a little more and put it in a small sealed container. You can always use it later for backgrounds etc. Like Uta says, as you become more experienced, you will be able to judge a little better. I use up all my left over paint to cover small canvas boards in a neutral colour. Mixing the leftovers usually makes a nice grey. Add a little white if it is too dark. I prefer working on a toned canvas.

[Charlie's Mum]

Welcome to the forum

It does come with experience!

I was going to say exactly what Chammi has said, so won't repeat it

What I will add, is go to our Information Kiosk - there's a link in my signature - and near the top you'll see a 'Got any tips?' thread - it's full of stuff about stay-wet palettes and general acrylics painting needs!

[idylbrush]

Chammi has given you one of the secrets. I have a friend who intentionally mixes to much color. In his case he will use it again in several other paintings.

If you mixed the leftovers and store them in a container, be sure it is a nice quality container with a good seal. FWIW, I have found that ArtBin makes some very nice containers. I mixed a color last July and in November/December it was still fit to use.

One company in Canada, after grinding pigments found there is always a bit of sediment in the wash water. They collect that and put it in an acrylic base and sell it as Vancouver Gray, I call it Sludge Gray. Whatever you call it, it is good resource management.

[ariel5466]

Thanks for the help guys Next time I go art supply shopping I'll pick up some sealed containers. I have a stay-wet palette but I didn't know that any paint would last without the sponge underneath. And to Charlie's Mum, thanks for the link to that "Got any tips?" thread, I've been loving flipping through it! I'm gonna try the copper penny idea with my palette to keep it fresher.

[dejaa]

just an FYI on containers. I have an acrylic miser palette from Jerry's Artarama that i love that trays and compartments to hold paint and I am still painting using paint i put in there in November. It also comes with a decent size palette to mix and paint from. When I don't want to scrap off my palette and put the paint in the containers. i set it inside a tupperware rectangle cake keeper. Just spray a little water over you palette.

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discou...tte-system.htm