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Of all the materials needed to create an acrylic painting, the palette is a must. Of course, you’ll need a support for the paint. You’ll find pallets in shops, but if not, think about recycling! Jar lids, plastic or other plates, glass plates: anything will do. But the main problem with acrylic paint is that it dries very quickly, both on the canvas and on the palette. So, unfortunately, we waste it.

But every problem has its solution: let’s build an inexpensive wet pallet together!

Acrylic paint characteristics

Acrylic paint is ideal for creating superb paintings. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter, all you need is a few tubes and a few materials. The three primary colors, one tube of black, one tube of white. A few brushes, a palette and water.

Yes, water!

Acrylic paint is used with water. The equipment can be cleaned with water! Simple, isn’t it?

The advantages of using acrylic paint

Acrylic paint is a mixture of a filler (the pigments that give it its color) and a binder (to obtain its consistency). Sometimes it also contains a thinner, so the paint will be more or less liquid. Acrylic paint is therefore “ready to use”.

It’s a hard-wearing paint that won’t crack or yellow over time. It is stable and adaptable to all substrates, with extremely high covering power.

Acrylic paint dries quickly: a real advantage! You can paint layer by layer without having to wait for a long drying time. There’s no need to wait until the next day to continue creating, at the risk of losing inspiration.

Fast-drying acrylics: the disadvantages

Not all artists paint in one go. Sometimes we like to take our time. Reflect, imagine your future creation. You also need to take a step back from your work from time to time.

Meanwhile, the acrylic paint dries. On the support, but also on the palette. Paint hardens quickly in contact with air. You’ve already deposited the paint, or even several colors, on the palette: you’re on your way to wasting ????????.

Well, no. The anti-waste solution is water!

How to paint with acrylic paint

You’re wondering how to use acrylic paint. After much research, you’re still not sure whether to dilute acrylic paint or use it straight. Should you apply it directly from the tube to the canvas?

So it’s possible to paint with acrylics without water. The Alla Prima technique or, in cooler clim ates, acrylic paint with a knife: you use the paint straight from the tube, undiluted.

Otherwise, being thick, you’ll lack fluidity in your brushstrokes. Always dilute acrylic paint.

A spray bottle filled with water will do the trick.

How can I prevent acrylic paint from drying on the palette?

Here we go!

Now let’s make our own wet palette, cheap and easy! Of course, you’ll find them on the market for between €30 and €60.

The aim, as you’ve guessed, is to keep the paint “wet” on the pallet to avoid rapid drying and limit waste. It also avoids the stress of having to paint quickly, to use it before it hardens!

Making a wet pallet: materials

You don’t know it yet, but you already have everything at home 🙂

You will need :

• a paint bucket lid or a plastic, glass or ceramic plate. No matter. The only requirement is that the container has a rim and is a little “thick”;
• a roll of paper towels, or fine sponges (dishcloths);
• baking paper ;
• water.

Fold or cut the paper towel (or sponge) and baking paper to the size of your future palette.

How to make a wet pallet in 3 steps

It’s so easy to achieve perfect results in just a few minutes!

In your bucket lid or plate:

• Place several layers of paper towel, or your sponge;
• add water gently, in small stages. The whole should be waterlogged. Allow the towel or sponge to pump out the water. It should be soggy, but without water stagnating or spilling over the sides. This could dilute the paint too much.
• Gently place the baking paper cut to the dimensions of the base on top. It will stick to the paper towel. The latter will also be impregnated with water. You can flush out air bubbles if you wish.

Quite simply!

The parchment paper is damp, so you can feel it to the touch. It keeps acrylic paint moist and prevents it from drying too quickly in contact with air. The wet palette dilutes the acrylic paint a little, making it easier to work with.

To keep the parchment paper moist, simply add water. To do this, lift it slightly and refill with water.

Obviously, the thicker the layer of paper towel, the longer it will remain moist.

You’re now in possession of a handmade wet palette at a mini price.

The advantages of the wet pallet?

• work without pressure ;
• save on acrylic paint.

What’s more, you can reuse the pallet the next day under the same conditions. All you need to do is put a non-occlusive lid on it to prevent water evaporation and paint/air contact.

It’s up to you!