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Or something anyway. And AFAIK, it is not all of them, just my Partha Paints which are about 20+ years old. Still one does not expect to find white coral-like structures in a paint pot. I threw one out as the pot was filled with the growth. Two others (where the process must of started recently since the colors in question showed no signs of this two months ago) I removed the growths and used the paint. Another thought is that these growths might be minerals crystalizing. The water in my area is "hard" water: it has a high mineral content. Anything that is exposed to frequent waterings soon develops a crust of white minerals. As the Partha Paints are old and running low, I have to thin them with tap water frequently to keep them fluid. Perhaps there's too much mineral compared to the original paint.

Anyway, that weirded me out earlier this evening. It's the damnedest thing.

Probably not mold, unless you have a habit of licking your brush but even then more likely to be bacteria, I'd think.

If you're thinning with water, you might try thinning with medium, instead.

I can't think of anything that the mold could live on, unless food matter has been introduced into the paint.

You make a good point. And I don't lick my brushes. When I started the hobby, the figures were still lead. So probably mineral or similar inorganic problem.

 greatbigtree wrote:
Probably not mold, unless you have a habit of licking your brush but even then more likely to be bacteria, I'd think.

If you're thinning with water, you might try thinning with medium, instead.

I can't think of anything that the mold could live on, unless food matter has been introduced into the paint.

Minerals sound about right; perhaps be calcium or lime? We have hard water, and before using softeners, an orange ring (probably iron) in the sink was a common nuisance.
Usually, I wouldn’t expect this to affect paint pots, but considering the 20+ years, it probably is related to mineral content.

Most paints contain some sort of anti bacterial agent to stop things like this happening, it could be possible that the bacteria here has mutated to combat it.

Bacteria can live practically anywhere and while it won't produce a "mould" it may well have produced spores to protect these newly mutated variants until it's introduced to something more favourable.

Plus most paints are produced using distilled water, the act of using water in your pots to thin the paint won't have added that much material over a 20 year period to be that noticeable since you'd be transferring them out onto your minis, not unless it's growing crystal in which case if the crystals are growing that fast in paint, id's start a crystal farm

I've had a similar experience at my paint store. Once in awhile, yellow mould can be found growing the blue tint. I guess now that paints are water-based and move away from toxic chemicals, certain microorganisms will have an easier time surviving.

Using medium instead of water should reduce opportunities for contamination.

Alternatively, encourage the growth and use it for a Nurgle army,

Hi, in future buy yourself a bottle of de-ionized water for your paints, only add tap water when mixing in a pallet for immediate use.
When mixing for washes get a bottle of flash floor cleaner (blue cap, not available everywhere but Sainsburys has it) it is actually acrylic medium.

Thanks for the advice on acrylic medium. I have a tiny bottle of it which is used for thinning paint intended for fine detail. Can check out the local art store for a larger (hopefully more economical) size.

 Mr Nobody wrote:
Alternatively, encourage the growth and use it for a Nurgle army,

Heh. Not a big fan of Nurgle, but now that I'm playing Kill Team, a Death Guard KT would be nice for variety and not cost much!