Wet palette

[tonydawe]

Guys,

I've been watching videos on You Tube about using a wet palette for acrylics, and it seems to be an excellent idea. I haven't tried it yet but I intend to have a go and see what it's like. I think it will prove useful during the long, hot Australian summer, when my paint has a tendency to dry almost as soon as it comes out of the tube.

How many of you guys use the wet palette technique and do you think its better ?

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Couldn't be without one mate!

Best invention ever.
Made my own simple one:
1. Chinese dinner rectangular plastic box
2. Paper towel folded in half & wet
3. Baking paper - gotta be semi permeable

Drops of paint on top.
I use lid as palette & close when not in use.

Nothing flash, but makes a real difference with acrylics.
Can keep them workable for week or two without too much effort.

Does this help?

Look forward to reading everyone else's take on this one too.

Mike

PS: Added images of of mine & acrylic paint consistency in wet palette

 

[Eludia]

I've used one before and still use it occasionally. It is very useful for keeping custom paint mixtures good for days (even longer if you stick it in the fridge). I use a plastic box with a hinged lid which is, conveniently, the same size as a kitchen sponge cloth. Put sponge cloth in, soak with water and drain off any excess, a bit of siliconised baking paper on top and Bob's yer Auntie's lover. It takes about 5 minutes to knock up so I just make one as I need it, I don't have a dedicated wet palette on my bench all the time as I tend to use Water Mixable Oils but it is a handy tool when I need it.

Bear in mind that it'll only keep paint open whilst it is on the palette. Once you put it on the model it'll dry just as quick as normal unless you add some retarder. Metallics don't work very well with a wet palette either in my (limited) experience.

 

[Eludia]

Oh, and it tends to stink a bit if you don't clean the cloth occasionally

 

[Macca G]

G'day Tony, I haven't looked back since using this technique. I use a BBQ foil tray as my container then paper towel then baking paper. I've found you need to pour in enough water till you see the baking paper rise on the surface tension of the water. The trick on our long hot Aussie summers is to constantly keep topping up the water. I've tried using slow dry but find that this sometimes leaves a greasy residue on your painted surface. With this technique in summer, it can keep your paint wet overnight and in winter up to 3 days. The best aspect of this technique is that you can maintain the consistency of your glazes while you highlight and shade.

 

[bogusman53]

Guys, I have been using the same homemade palette for a number of years. To stop possible foul smell from the sponge, A) wash it out regularly, B) used distilled water to soak the sponge and also to thin your paints, C) spray the sponge with dettol surface sanitiser. If you ever use a dehumidifier in your house, bottle the water up and store for later use. I agree with the comments about drying out in winter and summer. These palettes work very well and not as well with metallics but still usable. I usually soak the paper in water before I place it over the sponge and it becomes more pliable.

 

[colonnello kurz]

I use Humbrol and Oils usually but occasionally also some acrilycs and find perfect for the wet palette the box for the Sushi,sponge cloth and baking paper.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Not sure I get the home made thing. A proper stay wet from the art store is not expensive and probably lasts longer given the use of proper paper and an underlying sponge.

Most acrylic videos in the past showed the use of egg cup palettes full of diluted paint in various colour shades. You can get far more shades from a stay wet with the consumption of far less paint. Think of it as the acrylic equal of an oil painters palette.

Tip: if you want to preserve your mixes, once the paint is drying, remove the paper, let it dry and write the colours used on the paper next to the paint.

Colin

 

[Brimmer]

I use wet pallet as well and i like it..because I live in high temperature country ( I live in indonesia ) got my mixed paint dry in couple hours..when I start use the wet pallet it amazed me, because my mixed paint color still wet even in a week...I like it because usually I spend a couple weeks to finishing painting and I don't have to mixing color again..I use vallejo acrylic and liquitex by the way..so very recommend use wet pallet to do the job done in my opinion..

Aria

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks everyone for your comments and your assistance.

I tried the wet palette last night, and I can see the appeal. I'm looking forward to tonight when I go back into my hobby room and pick up where I left off last night.

 

[Ferris]

Thanks for posting this Tony and everyone for the tips. I was just about to look into a wet palette as I think it is very suitable for my way of working.

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[kevininpdx]

I've been painting minis for years now so I'll give my opinion on the wet pallete.... it's more for smaller scale 28-32mm.

 

[El Tché]

I work on wet palette for years. I use only acrylics.
What I do is :
- take a soup plate
- put some paper towels
- put water (not too much, just for the paper to be wet)
- place a sheet of cooking paper over it. This is on this sheet that you will put your paint.
- of course, maintain the paper towels humidified...
Have fun

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I've been painting minis for years now so I'll give my opinion on the wet pallete.... it's more for smaller scale 28-32mm.

Not sure why you would say that. I think the opposite. Using a stay wet gives me the ability to subtley transition shades and to keep them active over the long period necessary to paint larger scale figures and busts. For small figures, I can whip up a colour close to that previously used, whenever I need it. If its off a bit, its unlikely anyone will notice.

Colin

 

[El Tché]

I agree with Colin.
I do not really use the wet palet to keep the mix of paints... the "true" use is to get the "transition colour mix" directly on the palet and to use it during your painting process enough time.

 

[Eludia]

I've been painting minis for years now so I'll give my opinion on the wet pallete.... it's more for smaller scale 28-32mm.

I don't get it. A wet palette is a tool to manage paint, it has absolutely no bearing on what scale or size of model you subsequently use that paint on. I'm pretty sure the paint will be the same whether it is painted onto a 10mm war gaming mini or a 1/6 scale bust, or am I missing something really obvious?

 

[Mark S]

Another tip I find useful is you can easily avoid getting peanut butter stuck on your palette if you refrain from eating whilst painting.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Another tip I find useful is you can easily avoid getting peanut butter stuck on your palette if you refrain from eating whilst painting.

Mark - everyone knows peanut butter has to be mixed with oils, not acrylics....sheesh!

 

[kevininpdx]

Smaller minis require more blending of paints while wet. With larger figs I paint shades and highlights with thin glazes that dry before the next application. Just my style though.

 

[Alex]

I agree with Colin.
I do not really use the wet palet to keep the mix of paints... the "true" use is to get the "transition colour mix" directly on the palet and to use it during your painting process enough time.

Agreed.. It's exactly the same thing as using a regular palette for oils..

Try it and you won't be able to live without it