Let's start by opening your tin of fresh paint and learning how to get the perfect consistency for your daily practice!

Having the right paint consistency is a key element to having a good painting experience. In my workshops I see students rushing this step and then struggling to paint, failing to realise this because of the paint! I would even dare to say that paint consistency and brush palette are as important as brush control.

If you start painting straight away from the tin, you will notice that your paint is a bit thick. How can you make your paint smooth for painting? Here is where the white spirit enters the scene.

Put a few drops of white spirit into your cup and stir well using your wooden lollipop stick or spatula. Don't use your brush!

Mix your paint until it is thin enough that your brush runs smoothly. This will take some trial and error until you get the hang of it. But, don't worry, you will get it ;)

How can you know that your paint has the right consistency? If your paint is too thick, your brush will drag along your canvas with too much friction, this will cause brush marks in your strokes. If this happens, just add a few more drops of white spirit.

If your paint is too thin, it is because there is too much white spirit. You will notice that your paint runs down your brush and across the canvas. To fix this, simply clean your brush with a cloth and add a little bit more paint to your cup. Another indication might be that you see separate drops (like in the video).

TIPS:
- Think about melted chocolate running down. The perfect consistency for your paint is similar to melted chocolate

- You don't need a lot of paint to practice. About 5 mm in your cup is more than enough.

- Keep in mind that the white spirit (WS) evaporates, so if the weather is warm or you have been practising for a while, you will notice that your paint consistency will start to change. When this happens add a few more drops of WS to your paint.

- I advise you to use a wooden lollipop stick or an art oil spatula to stir the paint and to pour paint into your dipper cup

-Do not use your brush to mix the WS with the paint. Use a wooden stick or art spatula. If you use your brush for this, chances are that you will get paint running down your finger when you start painting. This is because the hair of the brush absorbs the WS as soon as it touches it, causing the paint to become very runny... and your hands to get very messy!. The last thing we want is for your hands to become sticky with paint. If this happens stop and clean thoroughly.

- It is very important to close properly the tin of paint after using it in order to extend its storage life. Failing to do this will cause a top layer (skin) to develop and you will end up wasting precious paint!

It might seem like there is a lot in this video, but don't worry, with practice you will find it easy to create the paint consistency that is perfect for you.