Invented over 180 years ago, the collapsible paint tube was a brilliant innovation for painters and colormen alike. Colormen, no longer having to store paint in pigs' bladders, which had a notoriously short shelf-life, were able to build up large inventories of paint. Artists, often restricted to the studio when using oil paint because of the inconvenience of storage and transport, were able to take these very durable tubes to the field. Impressionism and all the other “isms” to follow owe a lot to the humble paint tube.
But the paint tube is not without its problems. Punctures, leaks, glued-on caps and more pester today's artist. I thought I'd share some of my tips for handling paint tubes in the accompanying video. (Can't see it? Here's the direct link: https://youtu.be/CG-mYtTEEmM)
