by Neadeen Masters, CDA

Keeping acrylics fresh once they are placed on the palette is key to any successful painting style. DecoArt Traditions acrylics are no exception. Every acrylic artist has his or her favorite method for doing this.

I have found what works for me is using the ‘Masterson brand’ of wet palette and palette paper. I enjoy using a large palette with a good lid that seals well. The large surface area gives me loads of room to blend and mix. I switched from painting with oils to using only Traditions; my style of painting has not changed. It is important for my looser style of painting to have access to paint that is well hydrated and creamy at all times. My favorite method of mixing is ‘brush mixing’ – as I enjoy re-using the subtle blends of colors that form on my palette as I work between hues. The Masterson wet palette affords me the opportunity to preserve these colors while I paint, as well as being able to reuse my palette for several paintings. I only add more paint as I need it. If I blended on dry palette paper, many of these wonderful color mixes would be lost as they dried.

The wet palette must stay well hydrated at all times. When I lay my dry hand on the sponge below the paper, it should actually feel wet, not swampy. A light spritz with clean water will add moisture to the surface, however it is always better to keep the paint hydrated from below. If the paper begins to curl at any time, you need to cover the palette; this will allow the paint and the paper to absorb moisture again from the wet sponges. You could also add more moisture to the sponge if needed. If your paint gets over hydrated it will become runny. Leave the palette open for a while, and some of the excess moisture will evaporate.

It is important not to blow dry over your palette and to cover the palette lightly when not in use. A copper penny placed under the sponge helps to keep the growth of bacteria at bay. Using these tips I am able to maintain an ongoing palette for several days and even weeks at a time.