Question about using a wet palette - any advice?

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**Ouze**

So i decided today to look into a wet palette. I read a few posts now suggesting one. I see that Privateer Press makes one, but it only has one review on Amazon, and it's not very good. So I wondering if anyone can tell me whether or not

a.) A wet palette is really worth it
b.) If the PP one is a bad as that single review - one is hardly enough to trust one way or the other, or
c.) If they have an alternate one that they recommend, and why.

Thanks!

**Arander**

I would actually just make one myself. It's fairly inexpensive and really no different from what you'd buy at a store.

Here's a guide on making your own.

http://forums.brushthralls.com/index.php?showtopic=4806

Really though, any small, sealable container would work. I have a small tupperware container that's the exact size for a dish sponge to fit in. I fill it with water until just past where the sponge can absorb it. I then place a piece of paper towel over top to soak up any excess water laying atop the sponge. Any local grocery store will have parchment paper for sale. Cut out a piece to fit over the sponge/towel, add paint and away you go!

EDIT: Just found a post someone made on my blog about how to make one as well. Take a look, and hopefully it gives you some good ideas!
http://segmentummichigandus.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/wet-palete/

**Gunzhard**

Wet pallets are very nice... but you can make a decent one for very cheap.

Plastic plate, paper towel or shamy towel, and some kitchen parchment paper.

Don't waste money on the PP one...

**Ravenum**

IMHO wet palette is a must, i mange to use about 90-95% of the paint i put in the wet palatte. instead of drying out and sticks to the dry palette.

for my wet palette i just bought a small photo case from a local craft store (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd992127 from the pic the 1 thats inside the bigger plastic case)
I just put a wet (not dripping wet) Kitchen tissue/napkin and put it on the bottom then i put a layer of wax paper/parchment on top of it to serve as the actual palette.

good thing about the small photo case (about $1- 1.50) is you could close it after your painting session and any paint left in the palette, I highly suggested put 1 drop of distilled water to ea of the left over paint in the palette before closing it.
my left over paint is still wet & usable after 3 - 4days and the very least its still moist and can easily be revive by mixing in a couple of drop of distilled water.

**brother_zach**

I've always had a question about the wax or parchment paper. Is the water supposed to seep through that? Everytime I use that stuff it seems to defeat the purpose of a wet pallete.

Usually, I'll do a small film of water in a tupperwear lid followed by 2 paper towels. Wile this works, The paper towles begin to shred after use.

I've tried a paper towel folled by wax paper/parchment paper, but the moisture appeared to not be there.

Sorry for hijacking your thread OP.

**Ifalna**

Brother zach, I ran into this problem while using baking paper. No moisture got through so it seemed to defeat the point. I ended up seeing some basic baking paper in a supermarket, not a greaseproof(waxed) one, which works fantastically as long as you gently smear a tiny bit of moisture across it once it is on the wet tissue.

The wet then stays and you don't have to worry about the towels shredding, though I do find I still have to change mine every few hours, it is just the top layer and not the whole thing.

**Moltar**

I was given the PP wet palette as a gift and I actually enjoy it. Granted, I have nothing to compare it to other than whatever I managed to use before that (ie. tupperware lids or cereal boxes). However, I find the PP one and the wet palette paper they sell do work well. Getting the right amount of water left in the container is simply trial and error but once you get the perfect amount it can keep my paints well for 3+ days, maybe longer. With too little water, your paints will obviously dry quicker.
I didn't pay for the PP one, I don't even know what it costs, but if you're lazy like me, than I don't think it's a bad purchase. PP also sells the paper on its own. So even if you make your own wet palette the PP wet paper may still be better than wax paper or any other alternative.

**BloodQuest**

The "real" wet palette I have instructs you to soak the paper in very hot water for some time before use. It does make a difference.

**loki old fart**

Just make your own as in this video.

**malfred**

I don't like putting paint on the paper towel directly. Your paint gets
too wet. Parchment paper on top of the paper towel works better.

**templarboy**

brother_zach wrote:I've always had a question about the wax or parchment paper. Is the water supposed to seep through that? Everytime I use that stuff it seems to defeat the purpose of a wet pallete.

Usually, I'll do a small film of water in a tupperwear lid followed by 2 paper towels. Wile this works, The paper towles begin to shred after use.

I've tried a paper towel folled by wax paper/parchment paper, but the moisture appeared to not be there.

Sorry for hijacking your thread OP.

Wax paper will not work. It is not permeable. Use parchment paper only. Soak it in water for a bit and it will work well.

**hungryp**

I recall seeing the PP one given more negative reviews here on Dakka recently, with a link to a video showing it in use as well I think. Now, where'd that go...

edit: I guess this would kinda qualify as a PP wet pallet... http://forums.brushthralls.com/index.php?showtopic=4806 same idea here, with thumbs down for the real thing http://howardtayler.livejournal.com/225881.html

**BloodQuest**

I'm surprised no one else has mentioned this, but if you're using a wet palette long-term, add a teaspoon of ammonia to the water to prevent mould.

**MajorTom11**

a.) A wet palette is really worth it
Absolutely swear by em, very helpful tool.

b.) If the PP one is a bad as that single review - one is hardly enough to trust one way or the other, or
c.) If they have an alternate one that they recommend, and why.

I recommend just picking one up from a local art store, I just bought some new pads today for mine,

Sta-Wet Palette
MASTERSON
The practical Sta-Wet palette keeps colors humid for a very long time. It comes with a practical cover for easy transport.

The practical Sta-Wet palette contains 5 Sta-Wet acrylic paper palette sheets, a cellulose sponge, a palette tub and lid and complete instructions for prepping and use.

3 formats for sale: 8 ½ x 7
9 x 12 (MN912)
12 x 16 (MN105)

* Price: $ 19.95

Had it for years, easy to use, easy to maintain, and really saves on paint for you in the end. Hope it helps!

**Manchu**

I own the PP wet palette. When I started a thread about it, I was also told to simply make my own. I find that buying PP's was the best solution for me.

**Ouze**

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'll try rolling my own first, since I think I already have all the stuff I need, including parchment paper, around the house. If it doesn't work out, I'll consider those commercial options you guys recommended. Right now I've been adding retarder to the paint, but it doesn't extend it as long as a wet palette does, and it also affected the character of the paint in some situations - it seems to work poorly with metallics. So, I'll mess with this in the next few days.

**sickening**

I really want to start using a wet palette now! One question tho, do you still need to thin your paints or will the palette do that for you?

**BloodQuest**

I certainly wouldn't thin the paint before it goes on the palette.

Depending on just how wet your palette is, it will have some thinning effect.

I find I still need to moisten the very tip of the brush now and again to stop the brush stiffening too much. For that reason, I have about an inch of the tile I used to use to mix paint on poking out under my wet palette in order to have a scratch area to work the bristles.

**oadie**

I'd highly suggest making your own. It's dead simple - the only problem people seem to have is what type of paper to use. As has been mentioned, waxed paper is out, as it's totally waterproof. You want greaseproof paper (impregnated with silicone) - it lets the water through, but not the paint. I use Reynolds brand Plastic Coated Freezer Paper.

When placed on the sponge (glossy, plastic-coated side up, of course), you can see the paper darken as the back absorbs water. Press down the curling edges until they lay flat and you're good to go. While paints won't keep indefinitely, they'll keep at least overnight in a reasonably airtight container and their open-air working time is greatly increased (a godsend for those fast-drying paints from GW).

**Ouze**

OK, so I finally took the time to make one a few days ago. I used one of those acrylic hinged baseball card boxes that Horde O Bits and other ebay sells sometimes sell bitz in, which is about half an inch high, and half an inch wider then a blister sponge/foam. I placed in the the sponge that came with a blister, and used some parchment paper I already had.

oh. my. god.

If you're reading this, and have never done this, you have to do it tonight. You must. It's utterly game changing - it's like someone handing you a hobby knife after you spent years using a kitchen knife. I spent less then 5 minutes building it, with stuff I already had around the house. I have paint on it that I've been using since friday and it's still great.

thank you everyone for your input.