Wet pallette question

[Hinton]

Before I get started, yes, I searched for an answer already and thought I found one, but it seems something is still wrong.

Last week as I was walking around my local craft store, I came across some wet pallette paper. Remembering an article from here about making your own wet pallette and needing this kind of paper, I picked some up. I also remembered that some people mentioned Masterson\'s making wet pallettes.

This is what I bought:

Here\'s the sponge from the package (it\'s been cut to fit into the container):

I followed the directions on it, but ran into several problems. I checked both Masterson and the forums for what I might be doing wrong and tried everything suggested.

After an hour, the paint is nothing more than a dark splotch on the paper; completely useless:

I put the paints on in this order: brown (no additives), black (no additives), dark red (with flow improver), light blue (with extender), dark brown (with extender). That\'s what they look like after sitting for an hour with the lid on.

I wanted to use a wet pallette to make my paints last longer and keep colors consistent, but I figure I have to be doing something wrong if this happens every single time. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Arma]

yeah i have the same wet palette paper! however your missing a crucual part! there also a proper wet palette that Mattersons make along with proper wet palette sponges that hold a hell of a lot more water than the sponge from a blister can...

I\'ll get some links for you later sine I\'m sending this from a PDA! Have a search around the web for Mattersons stuff... I\'m sure you\'ll find something.

If you wish to make your own wet palette I suggest using cotton wool pads and sandwich paper or tracing paper. Take a look at Kaple.dk on the forums there. Should find some good advice! He also has a small guide on his dvd.

 

[Einion]

Just on the off chance...

IMPORTANT: Necessary to soak this paper at least 30-45 minutes before using.

So, did you?

Einion

 

[airhead]

Hinton, where are you? In the US try Michaels look around for a product called UltraSponge. Yellow sheet of a paper fiber sponge that once it is wet expands to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Soak it and the parchment for a while, pour off excess then you are good to go.

Honestly, I used to use a wet pallet, it was great in keeping paints usable for long periods, but by the time I had them thinned properly to paint with, they ran all over the wet pallet, resulting in muddy brown sludge.

Now, I get a cheap ceramic tile from home depot/lowes and use it.

 

[Arma]

I\'m still using a wet palette but honestly considering trying something ceramic and mixing paints more often to avoid using thicker paints.

I\'ll give it a shot - I have a nice rose shaped ceramic palette actually.. might give that a try.

 

[Hinton]

@Arma: I\'ve seen the wet pallettes on Dick Blick, but I just wanted to know if this is a common problem before dishing out money for one.

@Einion: lol Yes, I did.

@airhead: Yeah, I\'m in the US. My local craft store has those sponges, I believe. I did find that thinning the paint too much, like for a wash, made it go everywhere.

Thanks for the replies all. I was using a 10-well pallette and , tbh, the paint lasted longer in that by simply placing a damp sponge over the wells. I think I might stick with that, at least for now. Maybe I can put the wet pallette on my Christmas list or something.

 

[Gin1906]

Well, I thought I would weigh in on this one since I did an article on stackable wet palettes, Using the compressed sponges that Airhead mentioned, wet palette paper from Michael\'s, (don\'t remember the brand) and small stackable bead sorters I was able to keep my paint wet and usable for weeks, actually had a problem with mold! Make sure your sponge is wet, and that you soak your paper good and long.
Hope this helps.
Gin

 

[matty1001]

I just lined a tupperware box with kitchen roll, soaked that and put 3 layers of greasproof paper over the top, painted some gobbo\'s, went on holiday came back opened the palette and painted the rest.
Don\'t see why anybody would want all this specialised stuff?

 

[Arma]

Uhm also, Why is your sponge in the wet palette picture grey?? mine is yellow as in your first picture.

 

[Hinton]

Originally posted by Arma
Uhm also, Why is your sponge in the wet palette picture grey?? mine is yellow as in your first picture.

The top picture is actually a sheet of yellow paper with the writing on it; nothing more. The sponge that was inside is that blue/grey color, wet or dry. I also thought that maybe the sponge was the problem, so I picked up a couple regular sponges, but they didn\'t seem to help much.

@Gin: It was your article that first got me interested in wet pallettes.

@matty: \"greasproof paper\"? Is that wax paper or parchment paper?

 

[matty1001]

parchment paper, the stuff you use for lining tins and stuff while cooking and baking.

 

[Hinton]

Originally posted by matty1001
parchment paper, the stuff you use for lining tins and stuff while cooking and baking.

I looked around and actually have some of that stuff. Maybe I\'ll give that a try and see if it works any better.

Thanks, matty.

 

[Arma]

Very odd, my sponge is the exact same colour as the yellow there...

This is the one I have:

 

[Hinton]

That is odd, especially considering that both are from Masterson\'s. I wonder if what I have is an older product and the blue/grey sponge is what they used to use.

I don\'t have the tray because the store didn\'t have it; just the package of pallette papers and the sponge. I know Dick Blick carries the wet pallettes just like the one you showed. However, I don\'t want to invest the money just to find out it doesn\'t work for me.

Still, using ordinary sponges and wet pallette paper, or even parchment paper, should work. I\'ll keep messing with it and see if I can get it to work.

 

[Gin1906]

Hinton, check your PMs.
Gin