Acrylic paints dry quickly, and if you frequently mix colors, it can be frustrating to try to get an exact color match during subsequent painting sessions. A wet palette is the solution.
If you need help setting up your wet palette, click here. Once you have it ready to go, simply add acrylic paint to your palette and start mixing colors.

When you are finished with a painting session, put the top on the container. Some wet palettes, like this Redgrass Games Painter Lite, come with a strap for a tight seal to help keep the paint fresh.

When you open your wet palette for your next painting session, the paints may have separated a bit, or even run together, as you see here, because I accidentally tipped the palette. Learn from me and make sure to keep your palette level!

But don’t panic. Use a brush to clean up, stir the paints, and continue with your color mixes and painting. A wet palette can keep your paints usable for a few days.

To get the most life out of your acrylic paints, maintain the water level in the palette by adding a small amount to the bottom. I use a squeeze bottle to precisely add more water near the edge of the sponge.

TIPS

• You can reuse wet palette paper if it’s not too soiled with paint. Carefully clean the sheet, without ripping it. If it tears, it’s done. Toss it. Don’t try to get more than two uses out of a single sheet, and only use it again if traces of the previous colors are visible.

• If you used metallic colors, do not reuse palette paper for non-metallic paint. Also, it is a good idea to have a sponge dedicated to metallic paint to minimize possible contamination of non-metallic paint.