Why does paint only smell when its not dry?

Paint emits a strong smell when it's wet due to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in its formulation. As the paint dries, these VOCs evaporate, reducing the concentration of the odor-causing chemicals in the air. Once the paint is fully dry, the release of these compounds diminishes significantly, leading to a lack of smell. Thus, the odor is primarily associated with the drying process and the evaporation of solvents.