Quick Answer
The most common surfaces used to mix paint colors on are:
– Disposable palettes – Made of paper, plastic or foam, these are inexpensive and can be thrown away after use. Good for mixing small amounts of paint.
– Reusable palettes – Made of glass, plastic or metal, these can be cleaned and reused. Better for mixing larger amounts of paint.
– White plastic plates – Cheap, disposable option good for small DIY projects.
– Wood palettes or wood boards – Provides an absorbent surface to control excess moisture. Can be sanded smooth between uses.
– Wet palettes – Has blotting paper to keep paints fresh for longer. Keeps colors wet and usable for days.
The Purpose of a Paint Palette
When mixing paint colors, you need a surface – known as a palette – to squeeze out and blend the paints on. A palette gives you space to efficiently mix the paint ratios you need to achieve the desired color. It also provides a disposable surface so you don’t waste paint directly on your workspace.
Palettes allow better control and consistency in mixing paints. The surface absorbs excess moisture and pigment, ensuring the optimal viscosity and color of the mixed paint. With a palette, an artist can remix the same color over and over until the desired hue is achieved.
Choosing the right palette helps make painting easier and more enjoyable. The main options vary in their portability, absorbency, reusability and suitability for different types of paint mediums. Consider where and how you will use the palette when choosing the right product.
Common Surfaces Used as DIY Paint Palettes
For small DIY projects, many amateur painters use improvised surfaces as temporary palettes, such as:
White Plastic Plates
White plastic dinner plates are a popular disposable option for mixing small amounts of acrylic or watercolor paints. The white surface allows you to better judge the color while mixing. The slight absorbency of the plastic helps control excess moisture. Plates are cheap, readily available and can be discarded after use. Just don’t use a plate from the kitchen – purchase value packs specifically for painting.
Cardboard
Cardboard and cardstock provide a free, disposable surface for mixing paints. The absorbent surface helps control excess moisture. However, the irregular texture can make it hard to smoothly mix paints. The brown color can also affect color perception while mixing. Use thick cardboard and discard after use.
Newspapers
Laying out sheets of newspaper provides a free, disposable palette surface. However it absorbs paint quickly and the print can affect color mixing. Use multiple sheets and change them frequently for the best results.
Specialized Palette Options for Acrylics and Oils
For painters working with acrylics or oil paints more regularly, it is worth investing in a purpose-made palette. Specialized palettes provide better mixing control and can be reused.
Disposable Paint Palettes
Disposable palettes provide an affordable and practical option for most painters:
– Paper palettes – Coated paper palette sheets are sold in pads. The paper is specially treated to prevent bleeding yet absorb excess moisture.
– Plastic palettes – Plastic disposable palettes are available in various sizes and shapes with compartments and mixing areas. The plastic absorbs less moisture than paper.
– Foam palettes – Foam palettes have excellent absorbency to quickly soak up excess paint and medium. They provide great mixing control.
Simply discard disposable palettes after use. While inexpensive per piece, the costs add up for regular painters.
Reusable Palettes
Reusable palettes allow painters to mix their colors over and over on the same surface:
– Glass palettes – Non-absorbent glass provides a slick surface that’s easy to clean between uses. Colors mix true on glass.
– Plastic palettes – Plastic palettes are affordable, lightweight and easy to clean. However, paint can stain the plastic over time.
– Metal palettes – Made from enameled steel or aluminum, metal palettes are durable with a non-absorbent wipe-clean surface.
– Wood palettes – Wood provides good absorbency for oil paints. They need sanding smooth between uses as the wood grain can show through paintings.
Reusable palettes are a smart investment for dedicated painters. They eliminate the waste of disposable options.
Wet Palettes for Keeping Acrylics Usable
Wet palettes provide unique benefits for acrylic painting:
– Has blotting paper to keep paint wet and workable for days
– Controls moisture to prevent muddy over-mixing of colors
– Saves unused mixed paints in an airtight container
The wet palette consists of a shallow box with a paper towel or sponge on the bottom covered by absorbent palette paper. Keeping the paper moist with water creates a humid environment. This prevents acrylic paints on the palette from drying out too quickly.
Wet palettes are excellent for maintaining smooth color consistency when blending acrylics. They provide huge waste savings as there’s less need to constantly remix dried paints.
Alternative Palette Options for Watercolors
For watercolorists, good palette options include:
Porcelain palettes – The porcelain holds moisture to keep watercolor pans and paints damp. The white surface does not affect color mixing. Porcelain is durable but relatively heavy.
Metal palettes – Enameled metal palettes resist stains and corrosion. The enameling provides a bright white surface for mixing. Metal palettes are lightweight and travel-friendly.
Glass palettes – Glass allows bright true color mixing and is easy to keep clean. Glass doesn’t hold moisture like porcelain though.
Synthetic paper palettes – Synthetic paper is durable and withstands scrubbing to remove stains. It’s more absorbent than regular paper.
For watercolors, avoid wood palettes as they can warp and split from constant moisture exposure. Butcher trays are also too large for portable painting needs.
Palette Size Recommendations
Palettes come in a range of sizes from pocket portable to large studio sizes:
Small palettes – Around 6×4 inches. Good for travel painting and small DIY projects. Mix 2-3 colors at a time.
Medium palettes – Approximately 12×16 inches. All-purpose size for most acrylic and oil painting. Mix 10 or more colors.
Large palettes – Over 20×26 inches. Made for studios or painting large canvases. Keep dozens of premixed paints usable.
Field palettes – Long narrow boxes with paint wells. Made to fit paint tube sizes. Created for painting outdoors.
Choose palettes that suit your space needs and mobility requirements. Consider the quantity of paint you need to mix at one time.
Tips for Using a Paint Palette
Follow these tips when using a palette for the first time:
– Place it near your painting hand on a sturdy surface at a comfortable angle
– Keep water and paper towels within reach
– Arrange paints with enough space between them for mixing
– Start with a small amount of paint and add as required
– Mix with a palette knife for best color control
– Remove excess paint from the brush before applying to canvas
– Keep the palette clean by wiping up spills immediately
– Rinse the palette promptly after painting to remove residual paint
With good palette habits, you can focus on your creative mixing and painting rather than cleaning up messes.
Cleaning and Maintaining Different Palette Types
Disposable palettes – Paper palettes can’t be cleaned, simply discard after use. Rinse plastic palettes with water but don’t scrub. Air dry before tossing.
Glass palettes – Scrape off excess paint with a razor blade then wash the palette with warm soapy water. Wipe clean with a lint-free cloth.
Plastic palettes – Use a mild detergent and soft cloth or sponge to gently remove paint. Don’t scrub hard as it can damage the plastic over time.
Metal palettes – Wipe clean with solvent to remove oil paint. Use a razor scraper if paint dries. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the enameling.
Wood palettes – Gently scrape off excess wet oil paint first. Use mineral spirits and a cloth to wipe palette clean after painting. Allow to fully dry before sanding smooth. Apply food-grade wax occasionally.
Wet palettes – Cover leftover paints and store airtight after painting. Empty old paint water and rinse thoroughly. Replace the blotting paper when it’s too stained.
Regular cleaning makes palettes last longer. Always use recommended cleaning methods for each palette material. Stubborn dried paint may need soaking before it can be removed.
DIY Paint Palette Ideas
With some simple materials from a hardware store, you can create your own custom paint palettes:
Plywood palette – Use 1/4 inch sanded plywood cut into your desired shape and size. Smooth edges with sandpaper and apply a food-safe finish if desired.
Picture frame palette – Take out the glass from a picture frame and attach kraft paper or palette paper into the frame to create a flat mixing surface.
Tile palette – Glue ceramic tiles to a piece of wood or plexiglass. Seal with grout. The tiles provide wells for holding paint colors.
Recycled plastic palette – Use the clear plastic trays or lids from packaging. They can be cut into custom sizes as needed.
Custom wet palette – Convert any shallow plastic container into a wet palette. Line with paper towel, sponge and palette paper. Seal with a tight lid.
With a little creativity, many ordinary household items can be upcycled into serviceable palettes for hobby painters.
Buying Palettes for Specific Paint Types
When purchasing a new palette, consider your primary painting medium:
– Acrylics – Wet palettes are ideal. Foam or coated paper palettes are economical choices too. Avoid glass as it can cause paint to dry out.
– Oils – Reusable wood or metal palettes work best. Look for a white enamel coating to see true colors while mixing.
– Watercolors – Pick porcelain, enamel or synthetic paper. Avoid absorbent surfaces that could steal pigment from the rinse water.
– Miniature painting – Small plastic or metallic portable palettes allow for detail work. Built-in wells keep each color separate.
– Airbrushing – Large plastic palettes with a smooth, nonporous surface are best for mixing airflow paints.
Having the right type of palette for your specific painting needs makes the process more efficient and enjoyable.
Conclusion
While improvised surfaces will work in a pinch, investing in a purpose-made palette provides the best results for artists. Choose palettes tailored to your paint medium and project size. Maintain them well by cleaning after every use. With quality, clean palettes, you’ll get the truest color mixes and a smooth, consistent painting experience. Mix, blend and create your masterpieces with confidence.
