I've been using acrylic paint for almost two years - but not just any kind of acrylic paint. I use Atlier Interactive, the best acrylic paint ever! I love it so much, I have to talk about it.

This paint works like oils, but it's still an acyrlic paint. It dries slowly (touch dry in mintues, completely dry in months). Want to work on it, but it dries? If it's still tacky, use a medium to awaken the layer and blend away! These paints are thick, so you can do impasto work with them. They don't fade either, so you can thin them to the likeness of watercolor. They're quite expensive, but you get what you pay for! The colors are so vibrant, the paint is so fluid...I love them! If anyone hasn't tried them or doesn't use acrylics but wants to experiment, buy a few colors and I guarantee you'll be satisfied! I'm a professional wildlife painter and many people confuse my art with the real things...I couldn't do it with any old standard acrylic brand. If you don't believe me, see what this paint can do at my website! I don't use any other kind. Visit www.carabevanartfromtheheart.blogspot.com to view my work. If you're interested in buying some, try ordering them from Jerry's Artarama. They ususually have them on sale with many bonuses attached (such as free white paint and free mediums.) Here's a trial image for you to look at and enjoy! I'm not advertising, I just love this paint!

Cara Bevan

(painting is titled "Crustacean Salutation" 16x20" acrylic on canvas (C) Cara Bevan)

Here in NC I've never had a bad humidity problem, but I do have to keep the palette moisturized at all times. Every ten minutes or so I take a fine misting water bottle and spray the paint so it won't form a skin. That might not work for you, but here's another thing you can try: a 'stay wet' palette. Its a large box with a water retaining sponge in it. It comes with wax paper you can put paints of any kind directly on. The wax paper, placed on the wet sponge, will continuously give the paint moisture to prevent drying out. I use it to store the acrylic paint overnight, but it is made for use outside or in dry environments. Give that a try and see if it helps. I hope it does!

Best of luck to you and your friends!

Cara