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Ok, just looked at that speed painting article there for a laugh, and noticed the description of the wet pallette, which surprised me greatly!

I thought a wet pallette was just using your normal pallette and adding water when necessary, as opposed to painting straight from the pot, which a lot of people do for sum reason.

The main part that stuck out fromt that article was, 'which is handy if your continuously getting interrupted' which I continuously am! lol

Can anyone post pictures of their wet pallettes (yeeoooo!), or give more detailed advice on making them and using them and their benefits and dissadvantages if any?

Flon.

Newt.

wet palletes are nice because they are cool and slightly wet so you can blend well without the paint drying so it takes forever to dry I use them only if I'm doing major blending because they take lots of time to blend the colors. Here's an article on Cmon about making one but the container doesnt matter only critical part is the sponge water and wax paper over it. http://www.coolminiornot.com/article/aid/324 heres one andd http://www.coolminiornot.com/article/aid/116 trying to find the last one http://www.coolminiornot.com/article/aid/198

there are more but all 3 seem to have the focal points you need to make your own wet pallette

basically made from one of these:
http://www.afreshdesign.com/01February06/2006-02-26_0022.JPG

With a wet piece of this in it:

http://www.e3living.com/files/twist%20european%20sponge%20cloth.jpg

with a sheet of that on top:
http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/en/product.asp?prod_id=1799

Can mix up anything or even just put paint out on the parchement and it doesn't dry up. Once the cover is on I've had paint sit in it for months untouched while I moved from one house to another etc and be able to pick up painting without an issue.

Blister pack, blister pack sponge, bit of water on the sponge, grease proof paper.

Here's the wet palette I made, it's about 120 x 85 x 50 mm (small) in dimension:





(Yeah I know, some of the colors are way too close together)

It was made with a small and flat air tight container, baking/parchment paper and a piece of paper towel. I've tried using wax paper but the paints seeps through a little bit, which doesn't happen with the baking paper.

A wet palette is one of the best thing I've used! I paint my batches over a few (hundred) days so it is VERY convenient to be able to use the paint laid out the day(s) before. Some of my paints are already separating on the palette cause I haven't used them in such a long while.

With an airtight container, how long will the paints last on the palette?

The paint should last as long as the towel is wet. So in an air tight container it should last till whenever you need it again I think.

I also find that Vellejo paints separates much faster than GW paints, anyone else see this?

Here are mine.

Cheers guys! Just had to see it in the flesh.

Ill have a bit of an experimentation as soon as I can.

Very interested to see how it changes things!

Ok, I tried making one there. (took me a bit long I know lol)

Its not working as I expected tho, the paint isnt as wet as I thought it would be, mainly because the towel material underneath is wet, but the baking paper is waterproof and therefore completely dry, but as someone said, cool (in temp).

I tried puncturing the surface a few times there so Im going to see what that does. (probably ruin it!) lol.

Its better than my years old old laminated drinks coaster tho, as it is now the himalayan mountains and its hard to find a flat surface and the paint dries almost immediately, but I just thought I'd be more impressed.

Heres a pic of it, any ideas? (if your still alive after all this time!) lol.

It won't work at all with waterproof paper :( Get yourself some non greaseproof baking paper or parchment paper or you are basically putting a lot of effort into getting the same effect as putting your paint on a tile.

I've found that 'greaseproof paper' doesn't work at all as it's too waterproof. 'Baking parchment' is what you're after. At least in Morrison's it is.

Ok, I'll try to pick some up. Cheers!

We do have morrisons over here so should be fine but I'll check tesco or something first.

Quick tip for those that have thier palettes in tubs - Put the sponge and paper in the lid, instead of the tub. You will find it much easier to work the palette and get to your paint.

@Orki: Great suggestion! I just "made" a wet palette for myself out of a bit of tupperware, sponge & wax paper, but did find it difficult to get at the paint over the lip of the tub.

I noticed that I can get parchment at the local grocers (for baking apparently). I seem to recall someone mentioning once that parchment was better than wax paper but both would work. Does anyone have any experience with this?

The only problem with some wax papers is that they aren't permeable. If the paper lets moisture through then its' all good. I use grease proof baking paper from my local supermarket as it's much cheaper than the traditionally used parchment.

Some papers can disintegrate though over time (especially if you work the paint with too much pressure), so keep yer eyes peeled for fluff in your mixes.

Nice thing about using baking paper of any sort is that it's dirt cheap, so you can replace it whenever it gets worn.

I picked up a little "slow dry" from the university book store to mix in with the paint, which appears to help keep it moist, even on the wet palette.

I use a petri dish with a circle of paper towel that stays moist and some wax paper on top and I use a spritzing bottle to keep the paint wet.

No offence, but it's not really a very good wet palette then is it, Blarglord?

Another tip inspired by the above, is to ensure that there is a little resevoir of water sitting in the tub. This will keep the sponge nice and saturated, and ensure that the water level inside the sponge doesn't drop so far as to cause a dry surface. Thus eliminating the need to spray or to continually re-wet the sponge.

Using Tesco Baking paper now that I got from my grannys earlier. Its a bit better but its just not permiable enough I dont think so Im gonna get some baking parchment tomorrow. (My Granny says theres definately a difference!)

Granny knows... not all baking papers are born equal. :p

Knows best she does indeed!

Ok, so I went into town yesterday to get baking parchment, and after checking a specialist food delicatessen I went to a specialist art supply shop and they knew immediately what a wet palette was and I bought a pack of refills. (then I ended up at the pub and lots happend etc etc, hence Im only home now to put these up).



So I put some kitchen roll swab stuff folded up in the tub, then a piece of the reservoir paper down (which is very very absorbant), then a piece of the membrane stuff and its actually working well.



Bit too wet for some things, but if you keep a normal tile beside you you can sort the brush out a bit.

Took those photo's about 45 minutes ago and its still wet now so seems to be going well, although its foundation paint and it looks as if its seperating slightly but that would be fixed with a bit of mixing up im sure.

Heres a bit I started on a marine. Still able to be acurate even tho its now thinner than I'd normally make it but I think thats a good thing. This is about 3 layers, but it drys really quick so it was all in one blast.

I bought a wet pallete at Michael's for $12 USD, and love it. While I could make my own, it's not that much money.

One thing I have found that helps alot is to soak the paper in hot water for 10 minutes before applying to the sponge. This helps ensure that it is saturated and will feed water all over.

The other thing I have found that helps is I have some leftover metal bitz that I put down at each corner and one in the center. This helps hold the paper to the sponge, which keeps it from drying and warping.

Sounds like a plan!

Gonna start some painting now.

Wow, I was totally in the dark about this kind of thing. I know whats next on my list.

I use that exact same brand with my wet pallette! I've had no trouble with it and the one pack i've bought has lasted me nearly 12 months!