What Is a Watercolor Palette? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About This Must-Have Artist Tool!

If there are 3 things a watercolor artist must have in their arsenal of tools, it would be watercolor paint, paintbrushes, and a watercolor palette. A palette for painting enhances your creative process, keeping your colors organized and all within reach.

This guide will tell you more about watercolor palettes, how they work, the different types, and the benefits that come with using them. If you’ve never used a palette for painting before, then this could be the thing that changes your artistic experience forever. Let’s get started!

What Is a Watercolor Palette and How Does It Work? 

A watercolor palette is a surface where watercolor paints are arranged and mixed. It typically has multiple compartments or ‘wells’ that hold the paint and allow artists to mix colors efficiently while keeping others segregated at the same time. 

Artists can choose to hold their palette while working, while others might opt to have it on a surface like a table or stool. It eliminates the worry of picking out colors and taking them out during different intervals of the painting process. With a watercolor palette, all you have to do is prepare your chosen colors ahead of time, and paint with no interruptions!

Choosing the Best Palette for Watercolor Painting

Palettes can be made from different materials, such as plastic, metal, or ceramic. These come with different pros and cons, but we’re here to break some of them down for you: 

Plastic 

One of the most common and readily available watercolor paint palettes is plastic. This is because they are the cheapest and lightest in terms of weight. Some artists also like this since you can accidentally drop it and the chances of it breaking are very slim. On the other hand, the downside to plastic palettes is that they are prone to color staining the more you use them. 

Metal 

Next, we have metal watercolor palettes. These are a great sturdy option that can last a long time if you take care of them properly. Its wells or paint compartments are typically smaller, which might pose an issue for artists who enjoy using larger brushes. Additionally, metal palettes may also stain over time. 

Ceramic or Porcelain 

A ceramic watercolor palette is the best option if you don’t want colors to stain. It’s smooth, easy to clean, and aesthetically pleasing at the same time!  Some ceramic watercolor palettes can also feature roomy wells, giving you more freedom to play with colors and brush sizes. 

This palette is also the heaviest out of the three options since it’s made with ceramics or porcelain. It won’t be as forgiving when you drop it, so proper care is essential. 

Altenew Petal Palette

To sum up, here’s how you can choose the best kind of watercolor palette for your painting needs:

Here’s Why It’s Worth Getting a Watercolor Paint Palette

Have you decided on which watercolor palette suits your needs? If you’re still on the fence, here are some benefits you can expect:  

Keep Your Watercolor Paints Neat and Organized

As previously mentioned, good watercolor palettes are equipped with wells or compartments that let you separate your paint colors. While working on your project, simply activate your paints with water or take two or more colors to mix in the middle. Pro tip: place your watercolors from light to dark for easier mixing, or put similar color families close to each other. 

Gives You Space to Segregate and Mix Colors

On top of organization, palettes also make color mixing a breeze. For instance, when you paint with a ceramic watercolor palette like the one pictured below, you have tons of space in the middle to mix and match different hues to find the perfect shade. Remember to keep some wells unoccupied too in case you want to add new colors!

Prevents Paint from Getting All Over the Place

The beauty of a watercolor palette is it keeps your station clean. Since all of your paints are in one place, the risk of dripping on your table or floor is reduced. Some artists even like holding their palette with one hand and their brush with the other while painting for convenience and to minimize any unwanted spills or splatters.

Gives You More Freedom and Control

Picture yourself having to open watercolor or gouache tubes every few minutes, interrupting your creative process. A watercolor palette eliminates unnecessary steps and places your paint within arm’s reach. When you’re done, you can simply wash your palette and put it away! 

Serves as Pretty Decor When Not in Use

When you’re not putting paint on your watercolor palette, it can also be used for decor! Put some of your favorite art supplies on it or display some smaller projects. This is especially perfect with ceramic watercolor palettes, where it’s as aesthetic as it is functional. 

Give Your Artist Setup an Upgrade with a Watercolor Paint Palette!

It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced painter. All artists deserve to have a high-quality watercolor palette to make their creative process easier, not to mention more organized and beautiful just like Altenew’s Petal Palette. Are you ready to start your watercolor journey? It’s time to get painting!

For more tips and inspiration on watercolor and all things artistry, drop by The Creative Corner!