The wet palette debuts
The two painting updates posted this week-end both had one new feature – I painted the models with the help of a wet palette.
This is something I have been wanting to test out for a while, and I’m glad I did. For anyone not certain, a wet palette is something you can create using a container, a sponge, and some parchment paper. Or you can simply buy one of the many pre-created ones on the market. I went with the Army Painter version.
After painting a few models, it looks like this.
The paint here is up to two days old and still usable in some places. The green has dried up. My usual palette is the baking paper you can see sticking out from under the wet palette on the right. paint lasts maybe a few minutes there.
This has been a successful test for me. The palette kept my paints usable without causing them to dilute away. Even the contrast paints worked fine. I’m not sure that I will use this for everything, but it’s going to be a feature as I move forward. It’s also great if I get interrupted a short way into a session, I can simply put the lid over the top, confident that the paints can be used when I get back.
A special thanks to everyone who recommended I try one of these out!
Scent of a Gamer 
Never tried one- perhaps I should as it does seem to offer advantages to my new thing of painting in short bursts.
Cheers,
Pete.
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It does help with set up time, and if you get interrupted you haven’t wasted the paint as it will be good tomorrow.
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That’s a very useful report, as I also only use a make-shift one but wanted to know about the “real” deal. Thank you!
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You’re welcome!
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The world is a small strange place as I also have just been using a wet pallet for the first time over the last few days. I like it so far but good to know it works well with contrast paints not tried them yet. Do you find its funny with matallics?
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People say they are not recommended for metallics, but I personally haven’t seen any issues.
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No issues for me with metallics so far
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Perhaps its just the one I’m using its a GW leadbleacher base paint, but it might be a little old or something.
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Could be. I am using a reaper metallic but my very old brazen brass from a hexagonal pot went fine too.
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The hex pot ones where all great, I have none left now 😦 Impressive you still have one going. I might have to try a reaper one, I always struggle with matallics so it could just be my general dislike for them matallics rather than the palette
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All my remaining hex pots are metallic; brass, bronze plus metallic blue and purple
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Wet palettes are a game changing tool. I switched to one a few years ago, but using a homemade version. With most paints, it will stay good for about an hour at least. I have been thinking about trying one of the commercial ones, as supposedly you can put the lid on and keep the paints in the fridge for even longer. I imagine a crust would still form over the top, but won’t know for sure unless I try it.
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Having only used the Army Painter one I can recommend that but there could be better ones out there. It’s good a keeping my paints for a few days.
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I have a homemade one with a lid takeaway platic box and its ok for a few days, just need a little gentle mix some times.
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I’m really happy to hear that using a wet palette is working out so far. It really is handy for whenever you’re mixing up paint to create a custom color or doing some layering. That extra time it affords you is invaluable 🙂
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Yes being able to go back to the same mix at the next painting session is great!
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Using a wet palette has definitely impacted my painting in a positive way. I’m painting more, less paint is drying up and paints don’t become too dry and thick from sitting on the palette – it’s definitely been a game changer!
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Yes the knowledge that I am wasting far less paint is probably the best thing so far!
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