Homemade wet palette components

While browsing through some of the other members blogs on From The Warp, I stumbled across a post on The Wild Riders that has inspired me. You know that feeling when there’s something missing from your hobby, but you haven’t quite got around to figuring out what it is? Well, today I found out what that thing is: a wet palette.

Now I don’t know why I’ve never thought of using one before, although I have experienced my paint drying out on me on numerous occasions. And it’s one of those things that once you’ve started using it, you begin to wonder how you ever got by without one! Now, I’m currently on a tight budget so my wet palette has been put together from things that can be bought at any typical supermarket. Here’s what I bought:

  • 1 x low profile resealable plastic food storage container
  • 1 x pack of 5 kitchen cleaning sponges
  • 1 x roll of greaseproof/baking paper

After cutting all the sponges to fit the food storage box, I filled the whole thing with water. It was surprisingly heavy once the sponges had done their thing! The greaseproof/baking paper forms the top layer for the paint to go on. I’ve read since that baking parchment is preferable to use as greaseproof paper doesn’t really absorb and hold water, but until I find some or use some artist’s acrylic/blotting paper then it will suffice. Anyway, at least now when I’m batch painting my remaining Ultramarines they might all be a consistent color.

If you don’t currently use a wet palette I thoroughly recommend that you make yourself one. It’s easy and cheap and is a major aid in mini painting.