The Best Cheap Art Tool for Watercolor, Gouache & Acrylic Artists (Under $10 USD!)

May 5, 2025

Many beginner painters may not have thought about this just yet. Or if they did, quite a number might have forgotten about it along the way.

But today? You’ll see just how valuable this simple, budget-friendly buddy can be.

Tadaaah! It’s a simple mist spray bottle.

Sounds basic, but this little tool changed everything for many painters, especially beginners.

What’s even better? It’s under $10.

Whether you paint with gouache, watercolor, or acrylics, a mist spray can literally save your palette, rescue your work-in-progress, and keep your creativity flowing longer.

Here’s how it helps:

1. Revive Dead Gouache with a Few Mists

If you’ve worked with gouache, you know the struggle. It dries quickly—sometimes mid-stroke.

You squeeze out that perfect blob of color... and 10 minutes later, it’s useless.

Enter the spray mister. Woo-hoo!

With just a few gentle sprays, dried gouache transforms back into creamy, blendable paint.

No more wasted pigment. No more frustration. Just smooth, rich strokes—like it was fresh from the tube.

Pro Tip: Spray your palette every 10–15 minutes during your session. It keeps everything moist without making your colors runny.

2. Fix Watercolor Mistakes Without Panic

Ever had a watercolor edge dry before you could blend it? It happens to the best of us.

But with a mist bottle on hand, you can re-moisturize just enough to fix it—without overworking the area or lifting your layers.

It’s a lifesaver for softening hard edges and recovering graceful transitions.

Pro Tip: Mist around the area you want to rework—not directly on it. You’ll control the water better and protect the rest of your piece.

3. Say Goodbye to Dry Acrylic Palettes

Acrylics are notorious for drying fast. Sometimes too fast. You’re mid-blend, and suddenly your paint is stiff, chalky, and unworkable.

One or two spritzes of water can keep your palette (and sanity) intact. You’ll spend less time rushing... and way less money replacing dried-out paint.

Pro Tip: Use it with a stay-wet palette. Together, they make the ultimate combo for stress-free acrylic sessions.

And now that you know what it can do, why not make sure you have one within reach?

Grab yours now and give your paints a second life—before your next masterpiece dries out.

Bonus: It’s More Than Just a Paint Saver

Yes! The magic doesn’t stop at the palette.

Use your mister to:

Pre-wet watercolor paper or stretch canvas
Lightly moisten brush bristles (instead of constant dunking)
Keep masking fluid workable
Even create texture effects with controlled spraying

Tiny tool. Massive range.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, it’s not the big, expensive tools that transform your art. It’s the tiny ones—the ones you didn’t know you needed until you tried them.

So if you’re tired of dry paint, stiff strokes, or rushed blending, give a simple spray bottle a shot. It just might be the best $10 you ever spend on your art.

Do you have questions? Drop it in the comments!

Want to see this spray bottle in action?

Watch the full video here to see how this tiny tool can work wonders for your creativity!