Modified Watercolor Palette

I’ve always liked to take things apart (disassemble). When I was a kid... if I really liked something I took it apart. Why? I wanted to know how it was made. And yes I always put things back together. I have continued my fascination with how things are made into adulthood. But now I usually take things apart to see how I can make it better.

I’ve modified most of my art supplies: Sketch-Bag, sketchbooks, brush holders, pen holder, a few easels…and lots of palettes.

I get lots of questions about my sketching palette because it looks

different. I modified it, too. The palette goes by many names but the same thing: Heritage, Alvin, Mijello. It’s a great palette but lacks an area to make contained puddles for washes.

Supplies: 

Palette: 18 well folding

Trays:  3 inch Triangle Bead Trays, plastic (easily found on internet search)

Glue: Gorilla Glue or Epoxy 

Sandpaper: Fine Tooth/Grit

Instructions:

Clean the inside of the palette surface and allow to dry.

Use a fine grit sand paper on the bottom of the trays for better adhesion. 
Use a small amount of glue on the trays and put into place. 
Leave palette open over night to dry.



Step-by-Step Video: Modified Watercolor Palette. If video doesn't play click this link: Video

And what would a palette be without paint? Here's my Dot Card of paint choices. I use Daniel Smith Watercolors. In my sketch palette you'll notice I've added Green Gold and eliminated Phthalo Blue (GS). These colors are on my studio palette which has more wells. Wish I could send everyone a Dot Card but I only have enough to cover workshops...sorry. 

Daniel Smith Watercolors 

Green Gold (not seen on card)

Hansa Yellow Medium

Raw Sienna Light

Quinacridone Gold

Permanent Yellow Deep

Anthraquinoid Scarlet

Permanent Alizarin Crimson

Quinacridone Rose

Imperial Purple

French Ultramarine

Phthalo Blue GS

Cobalt Blue

Manganese Blue Hue

Cobalt Teal Blue

Phthalo Turquoise

Green Gold

Phthalo Green (BS)

Quinicradone Burnt Orange

Transparent Red Oxide (or Burnt Sienna, Winsor & Newton)

Lunar Black
Lavendar (not seen on card)
Buff Titanium (not seen on card)

How to Set-Up a Watercolor Palette

It is time to share these helpful tips again. Very little information is available on how to set up a watercolor palette... so I figured I'd share my technique.The palette I am showing is a Heritage Folding Palette with 18 wells. It is one of the nicest travel palettes I have seen in a while and a great price. The lid has a soft plastic seal, which keeps the palette from leaking and keeps your colors from drying out quickly. It comes with a removable clear plastic tray. I don't use the tray since the palette has an ample mixing area. 

(1) Before I use a palette I give it a light scrubbing with a mild abrasive such as soft scrub. This takes the slick surface off the mixing area and removes any residues from the manufacturing. Be sure to thoroughly rinse off the palette…you don’t want this in your paint.(2) I fill the 18 wells with my favorite selection of paint. Don’t put tiny dabs of paint in the wells…fill the wells! Tiny dabs of paint will eventually just fall out. Hold the tube over the deep end of the well then come back towards the shallow end while squeezing the tube.

(3) Let the palette sit open for a day or two. When the paint had set up and is no longer sticky I wet my thumb and push down in the center of each well. What this does is create an indentation for the water. When I get ready to paint I lightly mist the paint wells and I am ready to go.

Here you can see how nicely the paint mixes and mingles because the palette was prepared with a mild abrasive.

I've received questions about traveling with paint on an airplane.  I put my palette in my carry on luggage.I don't bring paint in tubes but instead fill my palette with fresh paint a few days before and let air dry so the paint becomes more solid. When I arrive at my destination I mist the paint with fresh water, put a small sponge inside and close overnight. The next day the paint are fresh and juicy again.  I haven't had a problem with security, yet.

My selection of paint colors by Daniel Smith Fine Watercolors

Happy Painting!

Brenda