Tillie Doyle
Watercolour paints can be recycled and reused in a variety of ways. One common method is to buy refillable paint pans and tubes of paint, which can save up to five times the cost of buying new pre-filled pans. This method involves gently squeezing paint from the tube into the pan and using a tool such as a small spatula to press and mould the paint into the corners of the pan. The pan is then left to dry inside a covered box or cupboard. Another way to recycle old watercolour paint is to use up leftover paint on old paper or other materials, creating new textures and backgrounds for future projects. Alternatively, old paint pans can be cleaned by removing the trays from their covers, soaking them in hot soapy water, and rinsing them under a tap. This method ensures that plastic acrylics do not go down the drain, which can be harmful to the environment and difficult for sanitation plants to remove.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Refilling pans with paint from tubes is up to 5 times cheaper than buying new pre-filled pans. |
| Environmental Impact | Some paints contain heavy metals and are bad for the environment. |
| Clean | To clean the pans, remove the trays from the covers and soak in hot, soapy water. Then, rinse under a tap, loosening extra bits with a medium-stiff brush. Lay flat on a towel to air dry. |
| Technique | Squeeze paint into the pan. Use a tool, such as a small spatula, to press down and mold the paint into the corners of the pan. Make sure the corners are filled with paint. |
| Drying | Put the newly filled pan inside a cupboard or a closed space to dry. |
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What You'll Learn
Refill pans with paint from tubes
Refilling pans with paint from tubes is a convenient and budget-friendly way to recycle old watercolour paint. It is approximately five times cheaper than buying pre-filled pans.
Firstly, ensure that you are using artist-quality watercolour tubes. You can use different brands, but it is important to note that not all brands may be suitable for refilling pans. For example, a Winsor & Newton representative has stated that their tube and pan watercolours are formulated differently, and that tube colours do not include the same volume of glycerin and other components used to ensure 'wet-ability' from the surface of the pan colours. Thus, once dried on a palette, the tube formulation won't fully re-wet.
If you are using a different brand, it is recommended to test a small amount first to ensure that the paint re-wets properly. You can also make a list of the pigment numbers on each of your tubes and compare them with other brands to find the best formulation for you.
Once you have your tube of paint, gently squeeze the desired amount into the pan. Use a small spatula or another tool to press down and mould the paint into the corners of the pan, ensuring that it is filled evenly.
After filling the pan, leave it to dry inside a cupboard or another enclosed space.
By refilling your pans with paint from tubes, you can save money and reduce waste, contributing to a more sustainable art practice.
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Clean the pans with hot, soapy water
To clean the pans with hot, soapy water, start by removing the trays from the covers. Next, fill your sink with hot water and add a generous amount of soap or dishwashing liquid. Place the trays in the soapy water and let them soak for a few minutes to loosen any dried paint or residue.
After soaking, take a medium-stiff brush and gently scrub the trays to remove any remaining paint or residue. Pay extra attention to the corners and edges of the trays, as paint can get stuck in these areas. Rinse the trays under running water to remove any soap residue and ensure that all the paint has been removed.
Use a clean, dry towel to dry the trays thoroughly. Air-drying is also an option; simply lay the trays flat on a clean surface and allow them to air-dry. This process will ensure that your watercolor pans are clean and ready for new paint.
If you're dealing with particularly stubborn paint residue, you can create a soaking solution by mixing a small amount of dish soap with warm water in a bucket or container. Soak the trays in this solution for a few hours, and then use the brush to scrub away the paint. This extended soaking time will help loosen even the most stubborn paint residue, making it easier to clean your pans.
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Use leftover paint on old papers
If you have leftover watercolour paint in your palette, you can spritz it with water and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to revive it before you start painting. This works best if you paint consistently and the paint hasn't hardened too much.
To use up leftover paint on old papers, there's no need to be precise. Simply brush the old paper with a fresh coat of paint. You can add texture with a sprinkle of drippy white or sponges. The goal is to create stacks of paper that will be ready for future projects. If the paint smells bad, it's best to apply it yourself and keep it away from children.
To clean your watercolour pans, remove the trays from the covers and soak them in hot, soapy water. Then, rinse under a tap, loosening any remaining bits with a medium-stiff brush. Finally, lay the pans flat on a towel to air dry.
If you want to avoid using palettes altogether, you can use thick magazine sheets or tear-away sheet palettes. Copy paper wrappers also work well as palettes and can be easily recycled.
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Buy replaceable pan sets
If you are struggling with old watercolour pans, it is worth buying replaceable pan sets. Both Crayola and Prang offer replacement watercolour pods, with Prang's semi-moist watercolour paint sets using pure, intense pigments. Stock up on blue, red, yellow, and green. Winsor & Newton also offer professional watercolour sets with a curated selection of vibrant, luminous colours. Sennelier French Artists offer half pans in a range of 48 vivid colours inspired by the original palette of the French Impressionists.
For those looking for student-grade watercolour pan sets, Winsor & Newton's Cotman range is a good option. Van Gogh Watercolour Tubes and Sets are also a good choice for students, offering the flexibility to create larger-scale works with intense, highly expressive colours. Blick Artists' Watercolours are another excellent and competitively priced choice, with 63 colours formulated using rich, premium pigments.
For those looking for professional-grade watercolour pan sets, Schmincke Horadam Aquarell Watercolour Paints and Sets are crafted for the most vibrant and professional results. Produced in Germany since 1881, these paints are good for fine detail work, such as lettering and scrolling. Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours are handcrafted, professional-quality Japanese watercolours with a highly blendable, creamy-smooth consistency.
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolours are another option, with a range of 250+ colours. These watercolours are handmade in Seattle, Washington, and are available in half pans, making them portable and easy to use. M. Graham Artists' Watercolours are manufactured in small batches with pure honey, gum arabic, glycerine, and fine pigments.
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Use a spatula to mold the paint into the corners of the pan
Filling up your old watercolour pans with paint from tubes is a great way to recycle them. It is also more economical than buying ready-made alternatives. However, the process of making new pans is a little more complex than simply squeezing paint into the pan and letting it dry.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that your pans are clean before refilling them. This is because mould isn't always visible to the eye, and if you don't clean your pans carefully, you may transfer mould to your paper. Therefore, it is better to throw away a little bit of paint than to transfer mould to your artwork or tools.
Once your pans are clean, you can start filling them with paint. Squeeze the paint into the corners of the pan, using a spatula or a small stick to press down and mould the paint into the corners. Make sure that the corners are filled with paint and that the paint has a nice finish on top.
It is important to note that you should not fill the pan completely. Filling the pan to no more than half full is good. This is because you want to avoid air bubbles from forming and get the paint to adhere to the inside of the pan as it dries. You can also tap the pans on a tabletop a few times to bring any remaining air bubbles to the surface.
After filling the pan, leave it to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. Drying time varies depending on temperature and humidity and can take a few days. Do not try to speed up the process by heating, as this can be risky and cause a mess. If your watercolour paint doesn't dry after several days, there may be something in the paint ingredients preventing this, and you may need to try a different brand.
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Frequently asked questions
You can recycle old watercolour paint by buying refill colours from a watercolour paint tube. Squeeze the paint into the pan and use a tool, such as a spatula, to press it down and mould it into the corners. Leave the pan to dry in a covered space.
To recycle old watercolour paint, you will need a paint tube of the same colour, a spatula or similar tool, and a space for the paint to dry.
It is recommended to use artist-quality watercolour paint to refill your pans. It is also important to choose paint that does not contain heavy metals or known skin irritants.
