Dylusions paint jars looks so scrumptious on my shelf…
First of all, do I need more paint in my studio? Do I not already have lots of tubes and bottles to last me for years?
Mhhh… Guilty! But did that stop from buying (well, hem, I mean… Santa brough them to me last Christmas, cough) just a little of that Dylusions paint goodness? Nooooo!!! Shame on me.
I just have to be honest with you here: I fell for the delicious vibrant colours Dyan Reaveley created, for the pretty and original jars covered in equally pretty scalloped labels (you know how much I love scallops… Mostly in art though, not that much in my plate lol). I watched so many videos about artists raving about how great they were… I managed to resist for months and months, reminding myself I didn’t ”need” them…
Ok. We all know how the story ends, right? Yep, they magically ‘appeared’ (cough again) in da house!
Dylusions paint jars look pretty but do I actually like them??
Well, not that much. Sorry Dyan!
I do love the vibrancy of the colours (and the packaging as mentioned) but that’s where my love stops. I find that their opacity is so great that it is difficult for me to create any kind of layering effect (using Dylusions paint alone). As a first layer/background, they work just fine and they retain ‘most’ of their vibrancy once dry. But for follow up layers, I prefer switching back to my now favourite Liquitex Basics paint. You see, those paints are reasonably transparent and I find them more easier to work with.
Of course being able to dip your fingers straight into the jars of paint is really awesome and one of the main benefits but…
Having all that paint exposed to air, even just for a little bit at a time, is enough for it to thicken up.
I have only had mine for about 7 months and they look rather thick therefore, I have a feeling that their shelf life is limited…
I’d better use them in a tutorial then, right?
In this new mixed media tutorial, I decided to play with them, just to ‘use’ them.
As you will see dried up paint fell off with each lid I opened, making a mess! I had to be careful for those chunks not to fall back in the jars….
Now, please don’t shoot me if you love Dylusions Paint! I have not played a lot enough to discover more of the qualities most people seem to love about them. All I am saying is that they don’t work that well on their own for my style of art and I have fallen in love with them…
Ok, enough dissection about the pros and cons of Dylusions paint. It IS delicious and I may have to force myself to use it more often if I don’t want to waste it so… Let’s get started!!
Feel free to leave me a comment below with your feedback on this tutorial and if you try it out, post a picture in the Facebook group here so I can see it 🙂
Love to you my Creative Friend,
Mimi.
Supplies used: (click on the blue links to get the same ones!)
- Dylusions Paint: Vibrant Turquoise, Cut Grass, Lemon Zest, Squeezed Orange, Postbox Red, Fresh Lime, Bubblegum Pink
- Liquitex Basics paint: Light Blue Permanent, Brilliant Purple, Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Unbleached Titanium
- Black Posca marker pen or Black Sharpie marker
- Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
- “Honeycomb Love” and “Tiling Around” stencils by Urban Artist from Riot Art & Craft
- Tsukineko Stazon Ink pads Royal Purple
- Tsukineko Brilliance Moonlight White inkpad
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I started my art journalism with Dyan’s paints. I found that the things that they do – they do better than any other paints I have tried… But there are things they are not the right tool. I keep mine separated in “cool” and “warm” sets according to Dyan’s instructions. If I use 3 of any “set”, my colors don’t get muddy. There are times that a full coverage layer is just what I need, and so I grab these paints first. But if I am looking for colors that layer and allow designs to show through – I grab something else or I water these down.
Hi Michele and thank for your kind words! I remember Dyan’s suggestion to keep paints in sets too 🙂 They are definitely great for an opaque layer or element. Thanks so much for your feedback 🙂
Hey! Just found your blog and ordered your book. I was on the fence with Dylusions until I watched a video with Dyan and heard her mention that the paints DO thicken when opened. So, her solution was to spritz some water into each jar after use and shake. Guess what? No more paint thickening! Not sure if it will work for you, but it did for me. I’m a much happier camper and I find I like using the paints with a Tim Holtz Dauber or a sponge. I love the colors and using stencils. I find the paints so easy to write on as well. Love ’em for journaling backgrounds. I did find a little paint goes a long way. Fun to use baby wipes as a tool, as well.
Hi Grace, thanks so much for all these little useful tips! I’ll be sure to spritz my paint with water and see if it helps. I remember the Dyan’s baby wipe video now, I actually used that technique for my first video tutorial http://mimibondi.com/studio-time-1 🙂 I won’t give up on them just yet and thank you for ordering my book xx
Thanks for the video! I enjoyed it very much – beautiful piece ?
I also love the delusions colors and find that they work well for me on gelli prints.
awww I have not tried them with gelli printing but great idea Michelle, I’ll give that a go! Thanks for the tip 🙂
I really love this tutorial Mimi! I think its one of my favourites. I will definitely try it. It has also thrown a light on why I am struggling because all I have is dylusions paints and a few other cheap ones. They dry too dark and I find myself gessoing over everything to lighten it up. Therefore the whole page gets ‘samey’ – I will invest in some Liquitex paints. Any excuse for more supplies huh? So helpful – thank you. Much love xx
Hi Helen, so glad it could help you realise what was happening! You don’t have to buy Liquitex, there may be other brands just as good. Reeves are a bit cheaper and ok too but… If budget is not an issue, then I give you permission to go nuts hahaha I recommend just getting your 3 favourite colours (no more) first and then decide before investing more 😉 xx
I had my doubts about this page Mimi, but as usual it has turned out really nice and I love it. My story about Dylusions Paint is the same as yours and ended the same too 🙂 I have just received them, so your tutorial came just at the right time, am also waiting for your book to arrive. Thanks for all the tutorials you do.
Hahaha I’m glad you stuck around until the end JayJay and to hear I’m not the only who hasn’t quite clicked with Dylusions Paint! Would love to see what you create from this tutorial in the support group 🙂 Oh, where did you order my book from as I can’t see an order through my website? xx
Very colorful and pretty………love it! Thank you for the video:)
Thanks so much Sharon, I hope it’s inspired you today 🙂