Acrylic paint begins drying whenever it is exposed to air. Thick paint does not always mean it is unusable, but it should be adjusted gradually.
Add water one drop at a time
Test a small portion first. Add one drop of clean room-temperature water to that portion, stir with a clean tool and check whether it spreads without running beyond the lines. Add another drop only if needed. Do not dilute the whole pot before testing the result.
Avoid over-thinning
Too much water can make pigment transparent and cause it to run across printed lines. If coverage is light, let the first coat dry and add a second thin layer.
Keep the remaining paint fresh
Open only the color you are using. Wipe paint from the pot rim before closing it and press the lid down fully. During a painting session, close the pot whenever you pause.
If a pot arrives damaged or completely dry, photograph the pot and its number before contacting support.
Does paint by numbers need water?
Verified examples such as Starry Night with Animals use pre-mixed acrylic paint. You do not need water to activate each color. Keep clean water nearby for rinsing brushes; blot the brush before returning to a pot. Adding water to adjust thick, still-workable paint is a separate step, not a required part of every brushstroke.
Can dried paint be revived, or can I buy extra paint?
A fully hardened acrylic pot is different from thick, stirrable paint. Water does not turn a solid dried acrylic film back into fresh paint. Winsor & Newton's acrylic brush-care guidance explains why dried acrylic must be treated differently from wet paint.
If a pot is dry, missing or nearly empty, photograph its label and contact DIY Art Muse support with your order number. Ask what is available for that kit. Do not assume an included refill service or free replacement, and do not use a similarly numbered pot from another kit as proof of a color match.
For coverage problems, our painting tips explain thin layers and clean edges. If you are preparing a kit for someone else, check the materials before wrapping it using the gift guide; a well-organized setup also helps with the short painting sessions described in our calming guide.