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So, you’re looking to up your miniature painting game, huh? Well, guess what? I’ve got all the juicy details on the absolute best wet palettes that are gonna blow your mind. Seriously, these things are like magic for your paints.
Not sure what a wet palette even is? No worries, my friend, I’ve got your back. I’ll break it down for you, step by step. And hey, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, I’ll even show you how to create your very own DIY wet palette.
Get ready to take your painting experience to a whole new level with these game-changing wet palettes.
So, let’s jump right in, shall we?
Best Wet Palettes for Miniature Painting
I’ve tried numerous wet palettes in search of the best one.
After careful consideration, I’ve found that the Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette – Studio Lite XL 13.5′ Pro is the top choice for my needs. Its large size and airtight design keep my paints fresh and usable for longer periods, allowing me to focus on my artwork without constantly remixing colors.
Additionally, the Masterson Sta-Wet Handy Palette Airtight Paint Palette is another excellent option, providing a compact and portable solution for on-the-go painting sessions.
Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette – Studio Lite XL 13.5″ Pro
I highly recommend the Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette – Studio Lite XL 13.5′ Pro as the best wet palette for miniature painting.
This wet palette is a game-changer in the world of miniature painting, offering an innovative and efficient way to keep your paints hydrated and workable for longer periods of time. With its large size of 20cm x 30cm (7.9′ x 11.8′), it provides ample space for mixing and blending colors without the worry of them drying out or running together.
The Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette – Studio Lite XL 13.5′ Pro is made from resistant ABS plastic, ensuring its durability and longevity. The ergonomic and robust design makes it comfortable to use, even during long painting sessions. It also includes a TPE seal and strap for an airtight fit. This means that you can spend more time focusing on your painting and less time worrying about your paints drying up.
It’s compatible with various types of paints, including miniature, acrylic, gouache, and fine art paints, making it a versatile tool for any artist.
In terms of convenience, the Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette – Studio Lite XL 13.5′ Pro comes with 50 hydration paper sheets and 2 hydration foam pads, ensuring that you have more than enough supplies to get started. The bundle also includes a helpful guide on how to set up and use the wet palette effectively.
Overall, the Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette – Studio Lite XL 13.5′ Pro is a must-have tool for any miniature painter. Its innovative design, durability, and ability to keep paints hydrated and workable make it the best wet palette on the market.
Product Specs:
- Size: 20cm x 30cm (7.9′ x 11.8′)
- Material: Acrylic
- Brand: Redgrassgames
Pros:
- Keeps paints hydrated and workable for longer
- Comes with 50 hydration paper sheets and 2 hydration foam pads
Cons:
- A little pricey
- Some users reported missing sheets
Masterson Sta-Wet Handy Palette Airtight Paint Palette
The Masterson Sta-Wet Handy Palette Airtight Paint Palette stands out as one of the best wet palettes for miniature painting. Its airtight design makes it a game-changer in the world of painting. With this palette, you no longer have to worry about your paints drying out too quickly or wasting paint.
The patented sponge insert and permeable palette paper work together to provide a constant source of moisture, keeping your acrylic and water-based paints fresh for days or even weeks. Whether you’re working in the studio, classroom, or on the go, this palette is a reliable companion that ensures your paints remain in a workable condition for extended periods.
Product Specs:
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 7 x 1 inches
- Made in the United States
Pros:
- Airtight design keeps paints fresh for days or weeks
- Patented sponge insert and permeable palette paper provide constant moisture
- Ideal for travel
- Can be used with acrylics, watercolors, and water-based oils
Cons:
- Directly adding water to the sponge may result in uneven wetness
- Requires regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent mold growth.
The Army Painter Wet Palette
After comparing various wet palettes for miniature painting, The Army Painter Wet Palette emerges as the top choice for its superior paint retention and affordable price.
This wet palette not only keeps paints wet for longer periods of time, but it also comes with 100 ultra-thin palette paper sheets and 4 wet palette sponges. The stylish and handy design includes a brush storage tray, making it convenient to have all your painting tools in one place.
The Army Painter Wet Palette is loved by customers for its ability to keep paint wet for longer, boosting confidence and preventing waste. It’s the best wet palette for the price, offering great value for money.
While some customers find the brush storage tray inconvenient, The Army Painter Wet Palette is still recommended for beginners as it helps obtain correct consistencies in painting. It allows for easy mixing and keeps paint fresh for days.
Product Specs:
- Includes 100 palette paper sheets and 4 wet palette sponges
- Stylish and handy design with brush storage tray
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Convenient brush storage tray
Cons:
- Some may find the brush storage tray inconvenient
Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette
When considering the best wet palettes for miniature painting, the Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette stands out as a top choice. This innovative palette is designed to keep your paints wet and workable for extended periods, allowing you to focus on your artwork without worrying about drying paint. This is the smallest palette from the company, ideal for artists with limited space, or on the go.
The palette features a resistant and hard-wearing foam insert, providing a stable surface for your paints. The robust design of the palette makes it comfortable to use, even during long painting sessions.
However, some users have reported difficulty finding replacement paper. Overall, the Redgrassgames Everlasting Wet Palette is a fantastic investment for any serious miniature painter.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Tight seal
Cons:
- Difficulty finding replacement paper
Game Envy Exemplar Wet Palette
This innovative wet palette is designed to make your painting experience easy and enjoyable.
With its large palette area, built-in brush storage, and 50 sheets of palette paper, this palette provides everything you need to keep your paints fresh and your brushes organized. The full seal with vent ensures that your paints stay hydrated for hours, while the vacuum seal on the flip-top lid regulates moisture to prevent your paints from drying out.
The Game Envy Exemplar Wet Palette isn’t only functional, but also stylish with its modern design. It’s dishwasher safe for easy cleanup, making it a convenient choice for artists on the go.
Product Specs:
- 6.25×9.6-inch large palette area
- Built-in brush storage
- 50 palette paper sheets
- 2 sponges
Pros:
- Vacuum seal on flip-top lid regulates moisture
- Built-in brush storage for organization
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Could be cheaper
SAA Acrylic Keep-Wet Palette
I’ve personally used this palette and have been impressed with its ability to keep my paints moist for days on end, allowing me to pick up right where I left off without any issues.
The SAA Acrylic Keep-Wet Palette is made of thin plastic, but don’t let that fool you. It’s designed to effectively retain moisture and prevent your paints from drying out. The palette box comes with a tight-fitting lid, ensuring that your paints stay fresh and ready to use. The absorbent insert and paper palette provide a convenient surface for mixing and blending your colors.
Not my first choice, but definitely worth checking out while looking for a wet palette.
Product Specs:
- Includes absorbent insert and paper palette
- Comes with a tight-fitting lid
Pros:
- Convenient and easy to use
Cons:
- Material quality could be improved
- I find it to be overpriced
D’Artisan WetNDri Acrylic Paint Tray Miniature
I highly recommend the D’Artisan WetNDri for miniature painting. This palette offers a range of features that will greatly enhance your painting experience.
The 2-in-1 combo design not only serves as a palette for your paints, but also doubles as a paint organizer and brush holder, keeping your work area neat and organized.
The gray sponge in the palette stains less and provides true paint mixing tones, ensuring accurate color representation. Additionally, the low profile design allows for easy brush access, making your painting process smooth and efficient.
Pros:
- Doubles as a paint organizer and brush holder
- Gray sponge stains less and provides true paint mixing tones
- Low profile design for easy brush access
Cons:
- Not the best option at its price range
Benefits of Using a Wet Palette
Using a wet palette provides a multitude of benefits for miniature painters. It’s a tool that revolutionizes the way we work with paint, enhancing our creativity and improving the quality of our art.
Here are three key benefits of using a wet palette:
- Extended Paint Life: With a wet palette, you can keep your paints moist and usable for a much longer period of time. This means less wasted paint and more time to work on your miniatures without the frustration of dried-out paints.
- Blending and Mixing: The wet palette creates the perfect environment for blending and mixing colors. The moisture in the palette keeps the paint workable, allowing for seamless transitions and smooth color gradients. It gives you greater control over your paint and enables you to achieve stunning, professional-looking results.
- Reduced Waste: Unlike traditional palettes, a wet palette doesn’t require you to squeeze out large amounts of paint at once. You can use smaller amounts and replenish as needed, reducing paint waste and saving you money in the long run.
Here is a great video showcasing even more wet palettes to choose from.
Setting Up Your Own DIY Wet Palette
Setting up your own DIY wet palette is a crucial step in achieving optimal results in miniature painting.
Select a Container: When setting up a wet palette, begin by choosing a suitable container. Opt for a sealable food container like Tupperware. Look for one that is airtight, has a clear base, is as shallow as possible, and features a flat lid with clips on the base rather than the lid.
Introduce Water-Absorbing Material: The second essential component of a wet palette is a layer of water-absorbing material, like tissue or a sponge. Cut this material to fit the container’s bottom and saturate it fully with water.
Add Palette Paper: The final element in constructing your wet palette is a layer of semi-permeable paper. This paper sits on top of the water-absorbing material and serves as the surface for holding your paint. Cut the palette paper to match the container’s size and lay it over the water-absorbing material.
Assemble the Wet Palette: With all the components ready, ensure that your container is thoroughly cleaned with hot, soapy water. Boil the sponge to eliminate any impurities, then allow it to cool and wring it out before placing it in the container. Position the palette paper on top of the sponge.
Utilize the Wet Palette: To make the most of your wet palette, simply apply a small amount of paint to the palette paper and mix it with water as required. This setup allows your paint to remain wet and workable for a longer duration compared to a traditional palette.
Add Just Enough Water to Keep Paint “Wet” and Workable
To keep the paint ‘wet’ and workable while using a wet palette, I simply add just enough water. This technique is crucial for achieving the desired results in miniature painting. By adding a small amount of water to the paint on the palette, it prevents the paint from drying out too quickly, allowing for smoother application and blending.
The wet palette acts as a reservoir, continuously providing moisture to the paint, keeping it in an optimal state for longer periods. This not only saves time by reducing the need to constantly remix paint, but it also allows for more precise control over the consistency of the paint.
Cleaning and Storing Your palette After Use
After using a wet palette for miniature painting, I clean and store it following best practices. Properly cleaning and storing your palette is crucial to maintain its longevity and prevent the growth of mold.
Here are three essential steps to ensure your palette stays in optimal condition:
Thoroughly rinse: After finishing your painting session, remove any excess paint from the palette by gently scraping it off with a palette knife. Then, rinse the palette under warm water, using a soft brush to remove any remaining paint. Make sure to clean both the mixing area and the sponge.
Air dry: Once the palette is clean, allow it to air dry completely before storing it. This will prevent any moisture from being trapped and potentially causing mold growth.
Store properly: Store your palette in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Consider using a plastic container with a lid to protect it from dust and other contaminants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use a Wet Palette for Other Types of Painting Projects Besides Miniature Painting?
Yes, a wet palette can be used for various types of painting projects besides miniature painting. It helps keep the paint moist and workable, allowing for smoother blending and longer working time.
Are There Any Specific Types of Paints That Work Best With a Wet Palette?
There aren’t any specific types of paints that work best with a wet palette. However, I find that acrylic paints, like Vallejo or Citadel, work wonderfully. They stay moist and blend easily, allowing for seamless paint application on miniatures.
Can I Use a Wet Palette for Blending Colors or Creating Gradients?
Yes, a wet palette is perfect for blending colors and creating smooth gradients in your miniature painting. It keeps your paints moist and workable, allowing you to achieve seamless transitions and stunning effects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using a wet palette for miniature painting is a game-changer. It ensures that your paints stay moist and workable for longer periods, allowing you to achieve smoother blends and transitions.
By setting up your own DIY wet palette, you can save money and customize it according to your needs. Remember to follow best practices, such as keeping your palette clean and refreshing the water regularly.
With a wet palette, you’ll take your miniature painting to a whole new level of excellence.
