Wet pallets; please fill me in...

[BrianFowler713]

Lately I've been watching youtube videos of this guy https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL054807AF24EFBA17 painting because... I'm running out of videos I'm interested in on that channel, I guess.

Anyway he's the first guy I've seen painting with a wet pallet before (I think I've heard of them before but this is the first I remember seeing it) and now I have questions:

Why use a wet pallet over a dry one?

Do you still have to thin your paints as much?

Does it have any effect on painting metallics?

 

[MAXXxxx]

-keeps your colors wet longer and because of the water diffusing through the paper, the paint is thinned a bit whether you want or not
I use it mostly to keep the mixes alive for days if a part takes too long to do (like on a naked figure, where I need the mixed skin tones again and again)

- as much? no idea how much is much at you, but yes, it's a good idea to thin the paint as usual. And for some it's better to control the thinnes of the paint to get the perfect consistency they want, for example for glazes.

- not really, the only one is the same with all thinning metallics, the paint tends to separate (metal particles go down, darker akryl color goes top). But it's the same as thinning it in a well-palette or a CD or anything

edit: also thank for that playlist link. I'm not sure, but it seems some videos are there that are member-only on the BoW site.
I just need to figure out why I find Romain unwatchable, so I always FForward to the end skipping quite a few parts.

 

[EpicMiniArt]

like max said, paints last longer due to water defusing through the paper. I only use a wet pallet.

mix colours on the fly (this was the main attraction for me) and u can make everything from base paints to glazes from one colour.

I still tend to thin my paints by adding medium to the paint rather than water (there is enough water in the pallet i find)

I used metal paints on my pallet, but u don't want to add water to the paint as it the metal partials separate, I always add medium to metal paints (good thing about them being on a wet pallet is that they don't dry out. I know metal paints dry out insanely fast on a dry pallet)

the main use is too keep your colour mixes for longer and you save tons of paint because ur not replacing paint that has dried up

 

[BrianFowler713]

edit: also thank for that playlist link. I'm not sure, but it seems some videos are there that are member-only on the BoW site.
I just need to figure out why I find Romain unwatchable, so I always FForward to the end skipping quite a few parts.

That's weird because I'm definitely not a member (too lazy) but I did subscribe to their youtube channel.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Lately I've been watching youtube videos of this guy https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL054807AF24EFBA17 painting because... I'm running out of videos I'm interested in on that channel, I guess.

Anyway he's the first guy I've seen painting with a wet pallet before (I think I've heard of them before but this is the first I remember seeing it) and now I have questions:

Why use a wet pallet over a dry one?

Do you still have to thin your paints as much?

Does it have any effect on painting metallics?

1: You get smoother and more consistent behaviour from your paints.

2: Yes/No as with all paints it's the need to achieve the level of density that drives the thinning. As a 'convert' to wet pallets in the last year I've found it's made a huge difference to both my approach and performance. Initially I used a Privateer Press Wet Palette, but I've recently moved over to a Masterton Sta Wet, much better behaviour (£15.0 from my local Art store Ken Bromley's)

3: not used metallics so can't comment.

 

[BrianFowler713]

There are brands of wet pallets? I thought you just put paper over a moist sponge.

 

[infelix]

There are brands of wet pallets? I thought you just put paper over a moist sponge.

There are some commercial ones to buy but I haven't tried any of them. I've only made my own and they have worked great. It's definitely something I can recommend everyone to try out.

 

[strewart]

Here is mine. A blister from Scibor is the main part, I can close and seal it to stop it drying out. Small piece of foam that came as blister backing in a GW kit. And a roll of cheap baking paper cut to size. It is small so only fits a few colours but works perfectly and cost me basically nothing.

 

[Dragonsreach]

I know a lot of people prefer the 'home made' approach, but for me (coz I'm lazy and both pre-made ones were on Special) the ones I've used and are using suite me better.

One major difference I've found is that the Masterton's performs better than the Privateer press one due to the type of sponge. The Masterton's seems to have a better ability to transfer the moisture to the paper than Blister pack sponge.

 

[BloodFather of Kharnath]

When using a wet pallet, bigger is better. For this reason, I go home made and it allows me to keep a variety of colors on the pallet at all times. In fact I can usually mix up all the colors that will be used for a whole mini on a single pallet. Saves so much time and energy. My WP is 18"x12".

Also, for Heavan's sake, place the pallet on the lid of your container, NOT inside of the container. The deep container part should act as the lid. This way, you aren't reaching inside a box every time you need to put paint on ur brush. And I prefer reusable towelettes.

 

[MAXXxxx]

Also, for Heavan's sake, place the pallet on the lid of your container, NOT inside of the container. The deep container part should act as the lid.

won't work. The container part is too heavy compared to the lid, so it would be top-heavy. Pretty good as a paint + wet paper catapult though (don't ask how I know)

my cheap solution was: going to DM (don't know if it's also in the US. Basically a supermarket for hygene products + cleaning chemicals + some extra), there I bought a (carriable, small but large enough for most projects, sealable) plastic container that's for keeping food fresh in the fridge / lunchbox. Costed 1euro. Done.
Until now I used some paper designed for wet-palette, but thankfully I run out this weekend. Somehow I like the bakingpaper version more (functioned better).

 

[Pictish Mini Painting]

@Dragonsreach is the Masterson St Wet palette the professional one or the normal one from ken Bromley. the normal one is sitting at £26 just now on the website.

I am looking to get a decent wet palette to use for my GD entires after may years in the wilderness of dry pallets after using a home made one years ago.

I use the Daler and Rowney stay wet sheets and paper refills just now on a sponge but thing something I can seal would be better.

Cheers

 

[skraaal]

I've never managed to get a wet palette to work for me, the paint always dries out or the paints run and mix into each other.

 

[BloodFather of Kharnath]

won't work. The container part is too heavy compared to the lid, so it would be top-heavy. Pretty good as a paint + wet paper catapult though (don't ask how I know)

my cheap solution was: going to DM (don't know if it's also in the US. Basically a supermarket for hygene products + cleaning chemicals + some extra), there I bought a (carriable, small but large enough for most projects, sealable) plastic container that's for keeping food fresh in the fridge / lunchbox. Costed 1euro. Done.
Until now I used some paper designed for wet-palette, but thankfully I run out this weekend. Somehow I like the bakingpaper version more (functioned better).

Having trouble seeing how a heavy container portion would be a problem. The deep container part sits on it when I am not painting. When I return to my work table, I put it aside. Think I don't understand.....

 

[Dragonsreach]

@Dragonsreach is the Masterson St Wet palette the professional one or the normal one from ken Bromley. the normal one is sitting at £26 just now on the website.

Cheers

It's the handy size £14.25
http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/item-sta--wet-palette-handy-palette.htm

The Large one has wells around the outside of the pallette and for me wasn't what I wanted.

 

[Pictish Mini Painting]

Ta very much, adding to basket next month with some new #7's and a pastel set.

 

[strewart]

I've never managed to get a wet palette to work for me, the paint always dries out or the paints run and mix into each other.

I had that problem to start with. The problem is mostly due to incorrect amount of water in the palette. It is a bit tricky to get right the first time and hard to explain. Best explanation I saw was you should be able to push the paper around on the surface pretty easily. If it won't move, not enough water. But only just at that point, go too much over and your paper floats or the water level is high enough to creep up over the edge of the paper which draws the paint away. So start with too little water and add a few drops at a time (depending on how big the area is) until it is right.

@Bloodfather, I do not have a problem with dipping my brush into the box. I am usually holding the miniature up anyway.

 

[boardandy]

@Dragonsreach, do you use the masterson paper as well? I ask as I was reading an post on Meg Maples blog regarding wet pallets and she claims the paper is no good for miniature paints. Hove you had any problems?

 

[Dragonsreach]

Boardandy, yes I do and have found no problem whatsoever.
Can't comment on Meg Maples experience with the paper.
Yes it does 'stain', but that doesn't carry over to the next batch of paints. But as long as you follow instructions, yes difficult for most men I know, and soak the parchment for the recommended time before use, it's fine.

And if you do "numb nuts" it and leave the paint til you end up with Mould, good old fashioned bathroom/shower mould remover doesn't harm the sponge. Guess how I know!

 

[BloodFather of Kharnath]

I've never managed to get a wet palette to work for me, the paint always dries out or the paints run and mix into each other.

Two things here...if your paint is running into other paints, this means that your surface may not be flat enough. This is another reason why I use the lid and not the container.

Also, instead of using a sponge, which many people use, I would use the reusable paper towels on the market. Sometimes a sponge holds the water in a stange way...the water can settle at the bottom of the sponge and thus keep the parchment paper from staying wet. The reusable PT wont have this issue.

I use kitchen parchment paper. There are several brands of these. I found that the thicker stuff works the best. It may be worth buying several different brands and then finding the sturdiest one for your needs. Where I am from, you can get rolls of the stuff from the dollar store. However, my favborite brand retails for like $4 at the grocery store (Safeway, USA).

So first I soak my towels in cold water. Then, I pour out all the excess into the sink. There shouldnt be pools of water left over, you only need the water that the towels soaked up. But what I will do is place my parchment paper (PP) onto the towels. I will run my fingers along the PP until all air bubbles are gone, then Ill flip it over and get rid of bubbles on the other side. Now it is ready gfor use.

I really can't tell you how useful it is to have a working WP. So if its not working for you, try try again. Your efforts will pay off and ultimately save you in paint, time and money