1 July 2017
This is a game changer.
Really, starting using a wet pallet was the biggest improvement of my work ever. For about 10 years I used an old ceramic tile as my pallet (photo of the tile). I got used to it, but it never was effective. The paint used to dry before I finished the specific area and sometimes, the same colors areas had different shades… Moreover I went through a pot of paint very fast.
But this was not the biggest issue – at that point I was painting mostly using layering technique, which meant that ANY change in the color mix, disrupted the whole area which I was painting. And it was difficult not have this problem, as I had to work fast before the paint dried.
So what the wet pallet changed?
The colors I mixed lasted much longer. Which may not seem a big deal, but in truth it is. When glazing, you usually go back and forth between shades, base and highlight colors. When you have the color available at all the time and you don’t have to mix it your transitions will be much smoother. This is significantly important in cases when you mix your paints and not use purely those of out the pot. Moreover, when you have make an error, you can always go back and correct, because that paint you mixed few hours ago is still paintable.
So how to start?
1. You will need a box – a shallow container, (at least 0,5cm) or plate, that you will fill with tissues / kitchen paper. (photo of the my containers). One advice – use a big one
2. Paper Towels
3. Baking paper / Parchment paper – it is used for cooking (greaseproof), it is impregnated with silicon. Some of them, You can buy it in Grocery stores.
There are professional papers which you can buy in artistic shops, but I have little experience with them and they like 10 times more expensive. They are in most cases sub-par; as well as expensive.
4. Water
Put some paper towels in the box, should be at least half of a finger thick in its height. Bring some water in there and make the tissues are really swimming in the water. Put on top of the baking paper. Voila.
If you want to go more pro – find some sponge, put in the container. It soaks and keeps the water better than paper towels.
Bought a set with the sponge. Problem is pretty simple – if you leave for long enough, you will get mold.
Recommended product:
I use this one (Frisk Acrylic Keep-Wet Palette). Ditch the paper and the parchment. Use standard towels and baking paper
Hesser