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A few weeks ago I made myself a wet palette with a plastic container and a sponge and wax paper. And at first, I thought it was the bee's knees. I bought it at the same time as I picked up a couple Series 7 Windsor & Newton brushes, so I thought now was the time I was going to turn into an awesome painter.

It's not really working. It does keep my paint from getting dry, but the paint separates if I leave it in there longer than a day. So if I've carefully mixed up a couple of tints and shades at opposite ends, it's like all of those colors float to the top of the paint and then pool in the middle and when I go back to it I have to mix it all up and all I'm left with is the mid-tone. The paint also seems to be getting thinner the longer it's in there. My latest leather mix started out two days ago almost too thick. Today it's almost a wash, and I haven't added any water beyond what's on my brush when I wash it off.

Is my sponge too wet? Is this how wet palettes are supposed to work?

My personal take on wet palettes is that they are useful for only long painting sessions, in one sitting. To keep the palette moist for the sitting.

I have stored a wet palette for a couple of days and the mixes have been okay but i do not trust them for any long term solution.

Your sponge may be too wet, I use sponges or paper towels (when I want something disposable) that have only been shown the tap/faucet this works for me though my paint sessions are comparatively quick.

If canvas painting I keep a dropper bottle of water handy to keep wetting the sponge, this may be a good solution to regulate moisture.

You'll find mixes do separate out, as do colours with heavy pigment. It's not really intended as a storage solution for mixes (use jars for that), just a means of not having your paint dry out on the palette.

I love my web palette, but I don't try to store paints on in over the course of days. Guess I'm more like Mr. Burning in that my performance expectations for my wet palette is a single painting session.

They do make special mediums for keeping paints wet (Sta Wet?) that might help keep your paints liquid and mixed over longer periods.