Ethan Clarke
Watercolour palettes are a great way to get started with watercolour painting, but they can be tricky to prepare. The paint tends to bead up on the plastic surface, which can be frustrating when you're trying to create a masterpiece. However, there are a few simple tricks to help you prep your palette like a pro. From using a magic eraser to roughen the surface to filling the wells generously with paint and letting them air dry, you can create a palette that's ready for your artistic endeavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | $10-20 |
| Number of Wells | 33 |
| Mixing Areas | 5 |
| Thumb Insert | Yes |
| Paint Application | Line the edges first, then fill the wells |
| Indentation | Create a small crater in the middle of each well |
| Drying Time | Leave to air dry for a day or two |
| Beading Fix | Use a magic eraser, normal eraser, or a plastic rubber |
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What You'll Learn
Prevent paint beading with a magic eraser
Watercolour paint can bead on plastic palettes, but this can be prevented by using a magic eraser. A magic eraser is a type of cleaning sponge made from melamine foam, which is abrasive enough to scrub away dirt and stains, but gentle enough for use on delicate surfaces.
To use a magic eraser to prevent paint beading on a plastic watercolour palette, first wet the eraser with water and squeeze out any excess. Then, rub the surface of the palette with the eraser. This will create a slightly rougher surface for the paint to adhere to, without changing the look or feel of the palette.
It is important to note that magic erasers can be quite harsh, and may remove any protective coatings on surfaces. Therefore, it is recommended to do a spot test on a small, inconspicuous area of the palette before treating the entire surface. Additionally, magic erasers can be drying, so they should not be used on surfaces that may be damaged by the removal of natural oils, such as glossy paint. Always wear gloves when using a magic eraser to protect your skin from irritation.
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Fill wells completely with paint
Filling the wells of your plastic watercolour palette completely with paint is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, it saves time, especially if you paint frequently. Having a lot of paint in your wells means you won't have to constantly refill them. This is also convenient if you travel frequently, as you can take your palette with you without worrying about the paint drying out.
Some artists prefer to use fresh paint each time they begin a new painting, but this is a matter of personal preference. If you only paint occasionally, you may prefer to have smaller amounts of paint in your wells, as you will use less paint over time.
It's important to note that you should let your paint dry before closing your palette, especially if you plan to travel with it. This will prevent the paint from spilling or drying out. You can also spritz the wells with water to renew and soften the paint before painting.
When filling your wells, hold the tube over the deep end of the well and squeeze the paint towards the shallow end. This ensures that the well is evenly filled. Let the paint sit for a day or two until it's no longer sticky, then use your thumb to create a small indentation in the centre of each well. This indentation will hold water when you're ready to paint.
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Let paint air-dry
Allowing paint to air-dry on a plastic watercolour palette is a common practice, especially when preparing the palette for travel. This process helps to prevent the paint from running and leaking during transport, making it more stable and less messy when painting outdoors or in different locations.
When letting the paint air-dry, it is recommended to fill the wells of the palette generously with paint from the tubes. This helps to ensure that the paint does not fall out of the wells, as small amounts of paint are more susceptible to falling out. It is also suggested to coat the edges and corners of the wells first before filling them completely. This is because the paint can shrink as it dries, and coating the edges helps to prevent it from breaking loose from the wells.
Leaving the palette open for a day or two, or longer in damp climates, allows the paint to set and lose its sticky consistency. Once the paint is no longer sticky, creating a small indentation in the centre of each well with your thumb or a similar tool can be beneficial. This indentation serves as a reservoir for water, making it easier to activate the paint when you are ready to use it.
While some artists prefer to use their paint fresh, allowing it to air-dry can provide advantages when painting outdoors or travelling. Dried paint can be reactivated by misting it with water 15 minutes before use, providing more control over the amount of pigment picked up by the brush. This method reduces the risk of having a freshly squeezed blob of paint that may be challenging to control.
Additionally, letting the paint air-dry and then cleaning it off is often recommended as a way to "break in" a new palette. This process helps to reduce the slickness of the palette and improve its receptiveness to water. However, it is worth noting that some watercolour paints tend to crumble when allowed to dry, and rewetting them can result in stray lumps of pigment.
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Create indentations for water pooling
To create indentations for water pooling, you can try the following methods:
Firstly, you can try scrubbing the surface with a mild abrasive such as baking soda, toothpaste, or a very fine sandpaper. This will take away the slick surface of the palette and allow the paint to adhere better. Be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the palette after this step.
Another method is to fill the wells with paint and let them dry completely. Once dry, use your thumb to press down in the center of each well, creating a small indentation. This will help the water pool in the center of the paint and make it easier to mix.
You can also try to let the paint dry on the palette and then clean it off. This process seems to make the palette more receptive to water and can help reduce the slickness of the surface.
Additionally, some artists recommend using a spray bottle to mist the paint wells with water before closing the palette overnight. This helps to keep the paints fresh and moist, which can aid in water pooling.
It is important to note that some palettes, especially porcelain palettes, do not have the same issues with water beading and may not require the same level of preparation.
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Choose a palette with enough wells
When choosing a plastic watercolour palette, it is important to select one with enough wells to suit your needs. The main purpose of a watercolour palette is to store your paints in wells, so it is crucial to consider the number and size of the wells when making your decision.
Watercolour palettes typically come with varying numbers of wells, ranging from as few as 12 to as many as 48. It is important to assess how many different colours you plan to use and choose a palette with a sufficient number of wells to accommodate them. If you plan to use a wide range of colours, a palette with a larger number of wells may be more suitable. On the other hand, if you prefer to work with a limited colour palette, a smaller number of wells may be adequate.
The size of the wells is also an important consideration. Larger wells can be beneficial as they allow for more paint to be stored and can help prevent the paint from drying out too quickly. This is especially useful if you plan to work on a project for an extended period of time, as the paint will stay wet and pigmented for longer. Larger wells can also provide more space to mix and dilute the paint, giving you greater flexibility in creating different shades and colours.
In addition to the number and size of the wells, it is worth considering the layout of the palette. Some palettes have wells on both sides, including the lid, which can result in paint detachment when stored upside down. Foldable palettes, on the other hand, offer the convenience of a closed storage environment for your paints when travelling. Studio palettes, made from ceramic or porcelain, are excellent for locking in moisture and mixing colours due to their smooth surface, but they tend to be heavy and fragile.
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent beading, you can roughen the surface of the palette with a magic eraser, a normal eraser, or a wire scrubber.
When filling your palette, line the edges of the wells first, then fill the rest of the well with paint. Leave a space in the shallower area of the well. You can also use your thumb to create a small indentation in the middle of each well to help the colour mix with water.
Add fresh paint to your palette a few days before you leave and let it air dry. When you arrive at your destination, mist the paint wells with fresh water, put a small sponge inside and close the palette overnight.
