Three years ago today I found a tube of Venetian Red from 1987 in a bin at Goodwill and it still paints perfectly

Last month I used that same tube for a portrait commission and the pigment was way richer than my current brand, has anyone else found old paint that still works better than new stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

faithb781mo ago

Found a half-full tube of Windsor Blue from 1992 at an estate sale a few years back. The pigment load in those old ones is way heavier than what they put in the stuff now, it's like comparing real butter to margarine. Just make sure the tube isn't cracked or dried out before you buy, check the crimp seal first. If it's still soft and pliable, you're good to go for another decade.

terryr461mo ago

Oh man, @faithb78 you're totally right about those old tubes. I found a beat-up tube of Cadmium Red from the 80s at a flea market once, same deal. The color was so thick and rich I could barely squeeze it out, but mixed like a dream. I had to add way more medium than usual just to get it to flow right. That pigment load is no joke, modern stuff feels watery in comparison. Just like you said, check that crimp seal good. I'd take that old paint over anything fresh from the art store any day.

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