Today I want to highlight some gadgets I have found to extend my art supplies and save some bucks in the end. First is a tube wringer! I am not sure why I have waited so long to get one. I just got mine a few months ago off of Amazon but you can also find them at art supply stores like Dick Blick (see here). I use it not only for my paint tubes but also for toothpaste, gel tubes, etc. I’ve always been frugal and in the past used to just cut open the paint tubes to get even the last drop out, but this was a bit dangerous when it came to metal tubes and I had to use the leftovers right away. Tube wringers are much more convenient.
Another great gadgets are pencil extenders like this one or this one. With these you can use the last inch of your pencils without having your hands cramp.
Another idea for pastel painters is to save all the leftover pastel dust that accumulates on your easel, add some small bits of pastels, and follow these instructions to create new neutral-colored pastel sticks. Of course always wear a mask and gloves when dealing with pastel dust.
Other tips include taking care of your art supplies:
Clean your paintbrushes right after each painting session to increase their longevity.
Don’t leave paint brushes dipped in water for too long or the moisture will loosen the glue that binds the hairs to the ferrule.
This one should be obvious, but make sure you close your paint tubes well, especially for acrylics and oils.
If you find that your watercolor our gouache tubes have dried out, carefully open up the tubes and take the dry pigment out unto a palette. It just takes a bit of water to reactivate.
Don’t be stingy with your paint but also do not put out more paint than you will be using in a single session.
For acrylics, get you can get a container with a lid and put a wet paper towel inside to keep the paints moist from session to session. I have a Sta-wet palette for that, but an airtight container from the dollar store works just as well.
Use leftover paint from a painting session to tone your next canvas. The only warning I provide here is not to do this if you want to paint in bright transparent colors for that next painting. For example when doing bright florals, starting with a grey background will result in muted flower colors unless you use very thick paint.
Do you have any other tips for how to extend the life of your art supplies? Please write them in the comments.