[tj333]

I gave my grandmother a watercolor painting that I had done as a gift to her. I then found that she used to paint when she was younger. Recently she gave me her old oil paints since she doesn't paint anymore and has not for some time.
This was very nice of her to do but the problem is the paints are around 20 years old.
The tubes are still soft so I know that the paint has not hardened in the tubes but I had to use pliers to get the cap off of the tube. The paint still seems to be in a good condition but I am still wondering if it is still good after having sat for so long.

Anyone here have any experience with old oil paints or know if oil paints hava a life span to them?

[Tedsuo]

I would guess the life span of a well kept oil paint tube to be much longer than ours. If the tubes themselves haven't coroded or in any way discolored the paint, they should be cool.

[tj333]

Good to hear that.

Sounds like I have oil paintings coming up. Thanks for the help.

[eyewoo]

For good info on traditional painting tools, check the Ceninni forum

http://studioproducts.com/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi
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[DJorgensen]

Yeah, I've had pretty much the same thing happen too.
The paints themselves should be fine.

Its a lot cheaper then buying a new set before you know how to use them anyway.
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[Impaler]

There's always the taste test.
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QED, sort of.

[DJorgensen]

No no no... that only happens when you stick the wrong end of the brush into your mouth.

Or when someone dares you with money...

mmm... Ivory Black... made with 'amorphous carbon produced by charred animal bones.'
Actually it reminds me of the MCDonalds I had for dinner.
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