"Disposable paint palettes?" Topic

I was watching a video done by Mig Jimenez from several years ago (its actually a Vallejo video) and he uses what appears to be a disposable paint palette.

It was just a clear piece of plastic with maybe 10 very small wells in it – perfect for miniature painting and mixing. It almost looked like a candy/chocolate mold if that makes any sense?

Any idea what that was??? I currently use a plastic white paint palette and I put a piece of aluminum foil over it – but always looking for a better solution…

I use white disposable plastic plates. With the amounts of paint used for miniatures I haven't found any need for the wells.

When one gets used to the point where its mostly covered in paint its time to pull another out of the pack.

Simples.

I use old business cards. With all the job hopping that takes place, I have an almost infinite supply!

If I run into a situation I need wells, I have a nice plastic palette that can be washed, or if I feel like going the disposable route – bottle caps. Also a good excuse to pop open a cold one!

Art supply stores(Hobby Lobby, Michael's, etc.) carry small palettes. I have used these in the past but for the past several years, I have found that old CDs work very well for small projects such as miniatures. They are much easier to use when blending colors.

I use the plastic from blister packs.

I use plastic coffee lids. I try to save any small lids that I might be able to use.

I use plastic margarine tub lids.

Old cd/dvds will work nicely.

As for the well type, I saw some at Michael's for about 99 cents each.

Disposable soda cup lids, in addition to the plastic coffee lids work well too.

jdeleonardis wrote:

"It was just a clear piece of plastic with maybe 10 very small wells in it – perfect for miniature painting and mixing. It almost looked like a candy/chocolate mold if that makes any sense?"

The plastic packing seems appropriate for chewing gum or mints than chocolate or candy. Nice video by the way.

We have a variety of nuts packed in transparent tubs, the lids of which serve as a paint palette. There is enough indentation for water to thin while mixing.

I've used an piece of scrap tile. Once it starts to get full of dried paint, I just scrape off the old layers with a hobby knife and I've got a new palette!

I've also started using a small sealable food container with a paper towel and waxed paper as a wet palette. Once the waxed paper is full or used up I just put in a new piece.

I use a small ceramic palette and just wash it off as needed.

Why would disposable pallets be better?

It isn't disposable, but I use a smooth glass cutting board. Take a putty knife and scrape off the old paint when needed. I've had the same board for well over a decade at this point. It has more than paid off the five dollar investment.

If you eat eggs you have a 12 welled palette for free. After you eat the eggs use the egg carton(plastic or foam) to mix colors or clean brushes.

Dave

Opened beer bottle caps work nicely, and I never have to worry about running out.

I like the beer bottle cap idea as well. You could have one for each of the colors you are working with. I am a light weight drinker, so after the forth color, I would be under the table. :-)

Ah, I LOVE the beer cap idea!!!

"The plastic packing seems appropriate for chewing gum or mints than chocolate or candy. Nice video by the way."

Exactly – just the size of the gum packs…same type of material too (at least it appears that way)

"Why would disposable pallets be better?"

They wouldnt necessarily be better for everyone, but the size of the ones I mentioned in the original post would be perfect for my painting space, plus much less hassle (not that its a HUGE hassle) then using aluminum foil to cover the plastic palette I use now.

Thanks very much for all of the replies! Still dont know what he was using, but I got some other good ideas!!!

I use emtpy aluminium blisters that contained pills and such, perfect for mixing and holding small amounts of paints.

I have one of these its over 15 years old. When the paint builds up I run it under some hot water and peal it off with my finger nail.

I use styrofoam meat packing trays. We eat a lot of meat at home so we seem to have an endless supply of them.

I have several of the pallets Ron W DuBray shows. I believe they are sold as water color palettes.

However after cleaning them for several years I went back to using bottle caps. If you get a few rare earth magnets, you can stick several beer bottle caps to a steel tray, which is handy. Or if you use soda bottle caps, which are deeper, you can anchor them with poster putty. The point of the bottle caps is they are disposable.

Lately however I've been using a wet palette; this is one from an art store, not home made, with a tight fitting plastic lid, about 8x10". It's handy to open up and find your paint still wet (or nearly wet if it's been too long). And the palette paper can be thrown out and replaced.

Agreed. Wet palletes are far better. I've been using one for about a year now, and will never go back to anything else. Here is a good tutorial on making one for next to nothing:

link

The palettes you describe are widely available, I got a couple identical to the video at Michael's.

As a side note, I use almost entirely enamels and I use plastic milk jug caps (the flat top). I've got a million, and when I run out of room on one, I throw it them away and start a new one. I'm to lazy to use the palette then clean it up afterward (unless I'm mixing a larger quantity of paint and need the "cup"). Not as much fun as beer bottle caps, but I don't drink as much as I used to.

Bullethead