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I change it when the diluted paint starts to act weird. (If I were you I wouldn't go any further than that.)

I change it when I need to apply effort to get the tip into the water. So basically when its mostly evaporated

Change it multiple times per session, usually when switching from dark -> light or vice-versa or from metallic -> non-metallic. I paint like 10 steps away from the kitchen sink anyway.

I lick it off, it sticks better to the pencil and dissapear better

I'll keep using the same water indefinitely as long as it makes sense. If it gets too sludgy or I switch to a drastically different color I change it. The only other time it gets changed is if I'm doing general cleaning of the desk area, then I'll dump it.
Fun story. We were cat sitting for a friend (never do that) and I had left my water pot on the dining room table. I get home from work and it's bone dry and licked clean. I wake up the next morning to Thousand Sons blue diarrhea/turds all over the living room/dining room. If only it would have been toxic.

I change my water before every painting session and every time I finish painting metallics. Those metal flecks are really annoying when they get mixed into things.

Wait... People change the stuff in there?

(tells you something about my painting skills... )

since I clicked "other"

I change the water every session I paint, but I have 2 bowls on hand (yes I use a bowl not a glass)

I keep one with warm(ish) clean water all the time. I use a dropper to thin out colors, so this water is always clean.

I use the second one to remove paint colors, usually a larger bowl or jug, and this is almost always hot in the beginning and warm by the time I finish. this helps to break down the paint on the brush faster/better.

I have thought about using one of those coffee cup warmers to keep my water warm.

Dedrith wrote:Interesting poll, it really got me thinking...I really need to change my paint water more often

Agreed.

Whenever the water looks too yucky to use, which comes to about 3 or 4 times when I'm painting. I should really consider keeping a second cup for metallics.

Water is essential for me, with the use of inks and washes, and diluting, (not to mention cleaning the brush between uses) so I usually change it every time I switch to a color my paint water would tint funny (yellow to red, white to black etc).

Sometimes I'll use 2 paint water cups, one for cleaning the brush, one for after I get most the paint off/diluting my paints.

I rinse my brushes under the tap.

I usually change out my water between light and dark colors or just use different water pots.

I don't use water. I use 91% alcohol.

I put "when it evaporates" but I should have said "other" because I often just add more water to replace what evaporated.... how terrible is that? P.S... it's usually the water from whatever I'm currently drinking, my last tank has Orange Tang on it. Is their an award for laziest painter?

After any dark or metallic colour's
Whoooo 100th post!!!

when there is nothing but sludge left ;D


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 DemetriDominov wrote:
I put "when it evaporates" but I should have said "other" because I often just add more water to replace what evaporated.... how terrible is that? P.S... it's usually the water from whatever I'm currently drinking, my last tank has Orange Tang on it. Is their an award for laziest painter?

Mate! I do just that my room is littered with empty drinks cans/bottles cos of it!

I only use a water pot to wet my brush, I always clean my brushes under a running tap, and between colour changes...

Whenever it gets too dark. Of course I use two glasses of water, one for metallics and one for all other colors.

I change it after I'm done painting a certain number of models. Basically, whenever I finish the session I set for my self. Could be 1 model, could be 100.

I can't change my water often enough some days. I keep two pots specifically for metallics and non-metallics.

I normally change water multiple times a paint session. I get really anal about that kinda thing. Especially if I've just used a metallic paint, then it's boom straight to the bathroom to replace the water.

I don't change it enough...

I use one pot for metallics, one for others, and I have a dropper bottle of fresh water for thinning.
I change them whenever the washed brush leaves a residue on the paper I wipe the brushes on.