This is Caleb here from WGC Next Level Up Painting. Earlier in the week we talked about using a wet pallet over at the WGC Artists Facebook group and I'm writing today to show how to make a quick and cheap wet pallet.

What You Will Need

So first the Materials list. For this we will need a lid from a disposable plastic food container. I like the Glad ones. We want one with a relatively flat center and a raised edge We also need a couple sheets of paper towels. The thicker and more absorbent the better.

Lastly we need Parchment Paper. Make sure it's not waxed paper. I like the Reynolds Brand but whatever is available at your local store will work.

Setting It Up

So the first thing I will do is take a sheet of paper towel and fold it up about 3 times. Then I will cut this to fit inside the plastic lid. Then I will add water until it just covers the paper towel. I want just enough so the parchment paper isn't floating above the paper towel but sitting on it.

Now I will add the parchment paper. When the parchment paper is put on top of the paper towel and starts to absorb the water it will curle. Just use a weight of some type to hold the edges down. After a few minutes they will stay down. I use paint pots. You don't want to flip the paper over though. That will cause water to pool above the paper. We don't want that.

Using the Wet Pallet

Now I'm ready to use my wet pallet. I will put small drops of the paint I want to use on the parchment paper. With dropper bottles this is easy. With paint pots like GW or P3 I use the back end of my paint brush to grab some paint and put it on the pallet. Don't use the bristle end of the brush as this will allow paint to build up and ruin the brush. Always use the back.

Now I can start mixing my colors and apply them to my project Here in using a light skin tone, grey , and purple to paint a dark elf on a banner .

The purpose of the wet pallet is to allow you to maintain a constant consistency. I read of people using their paint on a wet pallet days after they put it down. This doesn't work for me. After a few hrs my paint will start to separate as it absorbs water.

It will for a time produce a skin on top of paint and the mix will dilute near the paper.

This isn't the reason for the wet pallet. I use it to keep my thinned paint constant until I finish my paint session for the day. Then I will throw the paper away and allow my wet pallet to dry out.


This is just one way to make and use a wet pallet. As I mentioned before, I use more wet pallet to keep the consistancy of the paint during a session. Some people may keep it closed to store the paint to use at a later date. Either way, I hope this article helps you get started on using a wet pallet.