Setting up an acrylic palette involves choosing the right palette type and managing your paints to prevent them from drying out too quickly. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:
1. Choose Your Palette Type
There are several types of palettes suitable for acrylics, each with its pros and cons:
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Traditional Palette: A flat surface (wood, plastic, or disposable paper) where you squeeze out your paints. These are inexpensive but acrylics dry quickly on them.
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Stay-Wet Palette: This is a specialized palette designed to keep acrylics moist for longer periods. It typically consists of:
- A tray or container.
- An absorbent material (like sponge or paper towel) that you soak with water.
- A layer of special palette paper (or parchment paper) that sits on top of the wet absorbent material. This paper is breathable and allows moisture to reach the acrylic paint.
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Glass Palette: A smooth, non-porous surface that's easy to clean. You can use a piece of glass or a repurposed picture frame. Some artists put gray paper underneath to better see the colors.
2. Prepare Your Stay-Wet Palette (If Using)
- Soak the Absorbent Layer: Thoroughly wet the sponge or paper towel with water. Squeeze out any excess water so it's damp but not dripping.
- Place the Palette Paper: Lay a sheet of palette paper (or parchment paper as a substitute) on top of the damp absorbent layer. Make sure it lies flat.
3. Arranging Your Paints
- Squeeze out a Small Amount: Acrylics dry quickly, so only squeeze out a small amount of each color you plan to use. You can always add more later.
- Organize Your Colors: Arrange your paints in a way that makes sense to you. Common arrangements include:
- Color Families: Group similar colors together (e.g., reds, yellows, blues).
- Value Order: Arrange colors from lightest to darkest.
- Personal Preference: Organize based on how you typically mix colors. According to the reference, if you plan on using a lot of neutral colors, it might be effective to place them along one side of the palette.
- Placement on Palette: Leave space between each color, so you have room to mix them without contaminating the other paints.
4. Keeping Your Acrylics Wet
- Stay-Wet Palette: The best method for keeping acrylics moist for extended painting sessions.
- Misting: Lightly mist your paints with water periodically using a spray bottle. Be careful not to over-saturate the paints.
- Palette Sealant: Some artists use palette sealant products, which create a barrier to slow down drying.
- Close Paint Tubes Tightly: Make sure to close your paint tubes tightly when not in use to prevent them from drying out in the tube.
5. Cleaning Up
- Scrape Off Excess Paint: After painting, scrape off any excess paint from your palette with a palette knife.
- Stay-Wet Palette: Store in an airtight container if possible. Replace the palette paper when needed. Clean and replace the sponge when it gets dirty.
- Traditional/Glass Palette: Clean immediately after use with water and soap. Dried acrylics can be difficult to remove.
