<p>I do not think you have to worry about commercial casein paints in tubes unless you are leaving them alone for months. Doubt they would spoil, one site said you can refrigerate them if you wish, but do not freeze. </p>

<p>Maybe you are thinking about egg casein which is mixed fresh from egg whites? Or other methods that start from powders? Those would go bad but the tubes seem to be stable.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.richesonart.com/products/paints/richesoncasein/richcaseinfaq.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">"Casein paint tubes may harden a bit if they aren't handled frequently. Squeezing the tubes circulates the emulsion with the pigments, keeping them moist and pliable."</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.richesonart.com/products/paints/richesoncasein/richcaseinfaq.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FAQ 1</a> - good overview of casein tubes. source of quote.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.art-paints.com/Blog/painting-with-casein-milk-paints/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FAQ 2</a> - more focused on freshly mixed caseins</p>

<p><a href="http://www.artistsnetwork.com/medium/oil/krieger-casein" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FAQ 3</a> - about underpainting with casein, talks about true casein spoiling though</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-06T20:41:04.147Z
I am leaving them alone for months.
empty
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-07T23:18:59.780Z
Still sounds like the tubes will be okay for months, just stir them up. Doubtful they are using spoilable materials in their mixtures. Its the ones you mix up from powders or are made using traditional (ie. ancient methods) that are going to go bad. Refrigeration is mentioned if you want to be extra careful.
rebusB
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-06T18:33:45.083Z
2017-09-06T18:33:45.083Z
rebusB
<p>I have about 15 tubes of Shiva casein paint tubes that were left in a box in my garage for 8 years, I am mainly an oil painter, never try to paint with acrylics or casein.
So I tried them, they were a bit thick but I added few drops of water and I  was flabbergasted, they all were good, they dry way too fast for my painting style, but I am going to learn how to use them, I think they will work great for an under painting.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-28T14:48:24.800Z
2021-06-28T14:48:24.800Z
Mundo Sanchez
<p>I've been told that casein paints are great to use but that they will spoil over time, unlike acrylics and oils.</p>

<p>How long will casein paints last in the tube?  Is there any way to extend their shelf life?</p>

<paint><watercolor>
Casein Paint Shelf Life
empty
# Casein Paint Shelf Life

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-31)

I've been told that casein paints are great to use but that they will spoil over time, unlike acrylics and oils.

How long will casein paints last in the tube? Is there any way to extend their shelf life?

**Tags:** paint, watercolor


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-09-06. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

I do not think you have to worry about commercial casein paints in tubes unless you are leaving them alone for months. Doubt they would spoil, one site said you can refrigerate them if you wish, but do not freeze.

Maybe you are thinking about egg casein which is mixed fresh from egg whites? Or other methods that start from powders? Those would go bad but the tubes seem to be stable.

["Casein paint tubes may harden a bit if they aren't handled frequently. Squeezing the tubes circulates the emulsion with the pigments, keeping them moist and pliable."](http://www.richesonart.com/products/paints/richesoncasein/richcaseinfaq.html)

[FAQ 1](http://www.richesonart.com/products/paints/richesoncasein/richcaseinfaq.html) - good overview of casein tubes. source of quote.

[FAQ 2](http://www.art-paints.com/Blog/painting-with-casein-milk-paints/) - more focused on freshly mixed caseins

[FAQ 3](http://www.artistsnetwork.com/medium/oil/krieger-casein) - about underpainting with casein, talks about true casein spoiling though

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I am leaving them alone for months.  
> **username_1**: Still sounds like the tubes will be okay for months, just stir them up. Doubtful they are using spoilable materials in their mixtures. Its the ones you mix up from powders or are made using traditional (ie. ancient methods) that are going to go bad. Refrigeration is mentioned if you want to be extra careful.  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2021-06-28. Score: 2

I have about 15 tubes of Shiva casein paint tubes that were left in a box in my garage for 8 years, I am mainly an oil painter, never try to paint with acrylics or casein.
So I tried them, they were a bit thick but I added few drops of water and I was flabbergasted, they all were good, they dry way too fast for my painting style, but I am going to learn how to use them, I think they will work great for an under painting.


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