Wet Palette

What is the purpose of a wet palette?

A wet palette is a tool that can keep acrylic paint moist and usable for an extended period.

For beginners, a wet palette helps to dilute the paint, preventing it from drying out and becoming toothpaste-like, which can be difficult to apply.

A wet palette ensures that the paint remains smooth and transitions naturally during the painting process, avoiding overly thick application.

A wet palette also keeps the paint fresh, so even after using other colors, the previous colors remain vibrant and usable.

Using a wet palette not only saves paint and reduces painting costs but also improves painting quality, ensuring consistency and smooth color transitions, making your artwork or miniature models more impressive.

What's included in the Wet Palette?

• A container (plastic box)
• A layer of sponge (material that absorbs water and keeps it in)
• A durable painting paper

How to Use a Wet Palette?

1. Identifying the front and back of the painting paper: The front side of the paper has some resistance when touched and reflects light. It should face up and come into contact with the paint. The back side is smoother and has better absorbency, so it should contact the sponge.

2. Wet the sponge: Ensure the sponge is moist but not soaking wet. When laying the paper flat, the paper should not float on the water layer rather than being placed directly on the sponge. If the paper adheres to the water surface, tilt the tray to pour out excess water.

3. Lay the painting paper flat: Lay the paper flat on the sponge. If the edges of the paper curl up, hold down the edges for 15-20 seconds until the paper and sponge fully contact. Then gently sweep away any bubbles that may exist under the paper with your fingers or a small card, and you can start painting.

4. Regarding the front and back of the paper: Some prefer a stickier paint consistency and can face the non-glossy side up. Others prefer the glossy side up for smoother paint effects.

How to Clean the Sponge in a Wet Palette?

1. Rinse the sponge with hot water to ensure no paint residue remains.
2. Wring out the sponge and place the paint-contact side up in a sunny or well-ventilated environment to dry.
3. After multiple painting work, the sponge may have paint residue, but this does not affect its normal use. Avoid using strong bleach, as it may damage the sponge structure.

How to Prevent Mold or Odor in a Wet Palette?

1. Air and non-distilled water can bring mold spores. When you pause the use of the wet palette, place a copper or brass piece in the palette or add 3% hydrogen peroxide to the water to prevent mold.
2. If the sponge has an odor after multiple uses, wet it with a mixture of white vinegar and water or lemon water, then heat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or use antibacterial foam soap for cleaning.

Differences Between Wet and Dry Palettes

The wet palette is used for diluting and preserving acrylic paint for long periods, reducing the need to remix paint frequently, and ensuring painting efficiency and consistency.

The dry palette is better for mixing paint, suitable for enamel, lacquer, or oil paints, and makes it easier to see effects when mixing clear varnish.

How to Make a Wet Palette at Home

You can use a simple tray, a Tupperware flat box, or any container with a smooth surface (such as an empty Ferrero Rocher container). The sponge can be a regular sponge from the supermarket or multiple layers of paper towels, and the painting paper is best to use baking parchment rather than wax paper. Cut the sponge and parchment to fit the container.

Of course, using a professional painting palette can help you mix your paint better and avoid the hassles of using substitutes, such as uneven mixing of paint, fragile drawing paper, and the hassle of cutting. Jucoci's wet palette is affordable and provides refillable drawing paper and sponges, which can help you get started painting faster and better.