What is a wet palette and how do I use it?

Many people like to use a wet palette when they are painting with acrylic paints. The wet palette keeps the paint from drying out and skinning over as quickly as it does on a dry palette. Some people also cover it when they are finished and hope that it will keep their paints usable until the next day. How do I use a wet palette? I use it during a painting session to keep my paints moist, and I don't use it all the time. Sometimes I just use a piece of palette paper. The wet palette is most useful for me when I anticipate being able to paint for an entire day. I never use the cover and never expect to be able to use the same paint the next day.

How do you find or make a wet palette? The answer to this question depends upon how much you wish to spend. First, you can buy a pre-packaged wet palette. It is called the Masterson palette and comes in several sizes. Included in the package is a shallow plastic box with a lid, a sponge sheet that fits inside the box, and a package of special paper that goes over the sponge and on which you place your puddles of paint. The box is quite nice because it is no more than about 1/4-inch deep which makes it easy to work with. However, the sponge holds much too much water and tends to dilute your paint. The special paper requires special handling. It must be soaked for several hours before you place it over your sponge and once it has been wet, it must be stored wet. It is also a bit pricey to buy additional sheets of the special paper. The large Masterson Sta-Wet Palette lists for around $26.oo. The smaller one (about 8x10) can be found for around $15. Here is a photo of the small Masterson Sta-Wet Palette without the sponge and the special paper--I threw those away long ago.

The travel size Masterson Sta-Wet Palette

So, if you don't wish to buy the ready made item or you have the Masterson but struggle to use it, there is another solution. First, if you have the Masterson system, throw away all the inside stuff. If you do not have a Masterson system, find a shallow container. This could be a shallow plastic storage container (Tupperware, Rubbermade, etc), an enamel butcher tray, or even a shallow baking pan. If you use a baking pan make sure it is aluminum so that it will not rust. The container must have sides, but it needs to be shallow. Some people even use styrofoam meat trays. This would be a free and disposable container but whatever you do, make sure you clean it well before you use it with your paints.

Next, go to the local dollar store and look in the automotive section for synthetic chamois. This can frequently be found in a bag with one or two sheets of synthetic chamois and a couple of really cheap sponges as a car wash kit. Cut a piece of the chamois to fit inside the container.

Synthetic Chamois (new piece and used piece inside container)

Pour some water into the container so that the chamois gets thoroughly wet. Then, use you hand like a squeegie to remove most of the water.

Finally, go to the local shoppers club and buy a box of deli wrap. Deli wrap is the paper that is used in delis to wrap your sandwiches. It has a coating, but is stronger than waxed paper. You cannot use standard waxed paper from the grocery store as it will disintegrate. Deli wrap will hold up to the paint and brushes as well. A box of 500 sheets of deli wrap can be found for under $10. If the sheet of deli wrap does not fit exactly in side your container, cut it down or use part of an additional piece. Carefully use your hand to press the paper into place. You will know that the chamois is wet enough if the paper sticks to it. If the water oozes up through the paper and makes puddles, it is too wet. If it will not stick, there is not enough water in your chamois.

Deli wrap in dispenser box and cut to fit palette

Once your wet palette is assembled, pour out your puddles of paint and work as you normally do. When the piece of palette paper is full and you are finished with the colors you have on it, carefully remove the paper and insert a new sheet. At the end of the day, throw away your used paper and wring out your chamois so that it can dry. Do not cover the container with the wet chamois inside unless you want to conduct a science experiment in growing mold.