Are water colors supposed to be dry when you buy them? What's the best way to make them wet again?

Question

Do I mix it with hot water? I'm guessing they weren't supposed to be dry. Should I return them to the store? There's a collection of 7x3 (21 total) water colors of different colors and I can't dip my paintbrush in them because they're all dry.

Answer 1

just add water and if that doesnt work go to were you bought them and tell them you want a refund cause the product didnt work! and if the dont take refunds then your out of luck!  

Answer 2

Yes, these are 'pan' paints. They are bricks of paint that does not have gum arabic which keeps it soft. You just wet your brush and rub the paint to pick up color on your brush.

And you do NOT want to use hot water. It will ruin your brushes.

Also, you need to make sure your brushes are WET before you pick up paint with then, whether you are using dry pan paints, or wet tube paints. You don't want paint on dry brushes.

Answer 3

Depends on the type of watercolors...if you bought a set that has 21 flat, round pans of hard, dry paint in them...then yes, they're supposed to be dry. Simply keep a glass of clean water available to dip your brush in and wash it between colors. Wet each color with your brush; the more water you use, then paler and lighter the color will be. If you want thicker, darker color, put a few drops of water on the color and let it soak in for a few minutes before you start using it. If you bought tubes of individual paint, it should NOT be dry- return it. If you bought dry pigments, then you will mix your colors yourself with water to get the shade/intensity that you want. Water temp doesn't matter :) I hope this helps!