I can't remember where I read this, but there was an article about painting that suggested that paint should never be drawn straight out of the bottle. It should be transfered to a ceramic palette, and applied to the brush there.
I thought it was to get better control over the paint, but I guess it's to keep from spilling the whole bottle.
Sorry to hear about your mini-disaster. If it makes you feel any better, most people have done the same thing at one point or another, including myself.
Nat AKA Olive Drab Pants Boy