Wet pallette advice?

[segmentumobscurus]

Hello all,

I need some advice on wet pallettes. My painting time has suddenly been cut into on a massive scalle (family, children, study) and I'm finding it hard to be able to keep my mixes consistent between my sporadic paint sessions now.

Can anyone advise me on a decent quality wet pallette or other useful product which will help me to store the paint mix for a period of time and go back to it?

I've not experience using them, are there any special techniques required? How long will the paint stay wet for?

Regards

Dan

[winterdyne]

Get some flat sponge (a dog bed mattress is my preferred source).
Get some baking parchment (important - NOT greaseproof paper).
Get one of the big, flat boxes (10" square clear plastic) of Ferrero Rocher.

1) Open carefully so as not to break box. Eat chocolates. Yum. Keep box.
2) Cut sponge to fit in box.
3) Wet sponge till it's 'full', just having water below the top surface.
4) Cut parchment paper and layer onto top of sponge.


I've had mixes keep fresh (under the lid) for over a week. Sometimes they need a bit of stirring 'cos the pigment settles a bit, but generally they stay useful.

[Little Joe]

1) buy a Malifaux starter set you like, you get two great sponges in a decent size;
2) get two cheap boxes (for food keeping) in the right size and some baking paper in a local store;
3) put sponge in box, cut paper and put it on the sponge, add water to bottom;
4) now you have two
...
5) enjoy painting your Malifaux crew

They keep the paint fresh for up to two weeks (after that stirring might be needed) and mine are so tight no water evaporates (at 4€ a piece excluding miniatures).

EDIT: no chocolates

[MyNameDidntFit]

I like the idea that gives me an excuse to eat a box of chocolates >.>

I'll definitely be trying that one out.

[boli]

For consistant mixes you're prob gonan want a bit more than normal.

I've been using old (and finished) paint pots.
My blue for my Ultramarines army is kept in there - I darken it slightly for shading and highlight it for highlights - keeps pretty consistant; although might want to put a few drops of water in there occasionally to keep it consistant.

[EnternalVoid]

Or you can build one out of a warmachine blister, it comes with material that works for the sponge and the container works well. It is what I have made mine out of. Just put the material that the model comes with in the plastic container, cut a piece to size and put your acrylic paper on top, add water, and it works. I have been able to keep paint for over a week with out much problems, just add a bit more water every day or every other day to be safe.

[segmentumobscurus]

Thanks for the responses so far guys.

It seems that most people are suggesting a home made version over a specially bought product which is interesting. What I'm wondering though is does a 'proper' product as it were allow a longer life for the paint on the palette over a home made product?

Regards

Dan

[EnternalVoid]

While I have never got a 'proper' product from those in my group their bought stuff works just as well as home made ones, enough when they wanted a second they would rather make one then pay the price again.