Many painting techniques require a certain amount of glaze to be mixed with your paint colors. This is especially true for faux painting techniques. But what if you’re out of glaze?

The simple fix is water. Water is a great paint extender and allows you more workable time much like glaze. Don’t be fooled — water is not the same as glaze and isn’t a perfect substitute, but it works in a pinch.

Add a bit of water to your paint container, not enough to dilute the paint (as in color), but just enough to water it to a thinner consistency. Mix well. Add some water to a spray bottle and lightly mist your painting surface as you work.

You’ll find that you may need to add more water to your paint container as you progress, especially in warmer areas (and even more so in forced heat buildings).

Tip: Keep a bottle of blending gel handy. Plaid makes a gel available in 2 oz. bottles for under $1 (FolkArt). The gel “extends drying time for blendability.” Mix the gel with your paint the same as you would glaze.