4 Ways To Choose Colors For Your Travel Watercolor Palette

[@elyestelle]

I'm a bit late to this video, but I wanted to mention that it is pretty easy to pull colors out of the big plastic palettes! I use one for workshops, and swap colors in/out all the time. All you have to do is give the color you don't like a good soak so that it softens up, then slip a palette knife under to pry it out. It doesn't even take force! I move the color to a pan, and since it's soft, you can shape it to the pan a bit. Then, clean the well with a q-tip, and it's good to go for a new color!

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hi Ely! It's never too late for a good tip. Thanks! 🙂

[@karenwilson6483]

That’s very helpful info. Thanks.

[@waymire01]

You can make the split primary work for you with limited mixing by simply adding burnt sienna, which gives you easy earth tones and greys. You can also premix your secondaries. It's easiest to do the premixing from tubes obviously. I also enjoy working from a modified earth/landscape palette instead, same concept, but starting with the muted shades you are going to mix up anyway. Warm blue, earth yellow, earth green, dark brown, cool red, earth orange... will give you everything you want with a very limited palette. I enjoy ultramarine, yellow ochre, sap green, sepia, quin rose, and burnt sienna.. but you can choose whatever you like. Sometimes I add a little pan of cad red and yellow for pops of color.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

That sounds good. I often add a green and brown to a limited 3 color set just to get me somewhere close and then tone them to either direction for the exact shade I want. Thank you for sharing!

[@robinlarsendiy]

BUAAAAHHHAAAHHAA! *stick it behind your ear*. I can't live without Payne's Gray, Dyox Purple and Indian Yellow. I have like 8 tubes at any given time. I also really love the Quin burnt orange, though it isn't in my go to kit. BUT we travel with a 35 ft RV, so I just bring my whole paint kit with me and stick it in the boot. And yes, it has come in handy that way. We got a flat tire in the middle of a one tow truck town in Western Kansas and the tow truck was at a 4 car pile up 2 exits away. We had a 5 hour wait for a tire change. I plopped myself on the lid of the cooler with a canvas pad and painted the view...

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I'm not kidding, I always hear people talking about how much lighter and smaller of a palette they have like it's a contest. Those are pretty colors, I love cool grays and warm yellows. Sounds like you made the best of that situation. How do you store your canvas pad paintings? Do you tear them off and put them in a book or do you leave them on the pad?

[@robinlarsendiy]

Seriously, I could not go minimal with my pallet. Mine is more like a Texas ranch, the bigger the better! As for what I do with the canvas pad, it honestly depends on what it was for. My hub is a serious woodworker and learned to make frames for me. When there is something that i want framed, he either makes me a set of stretcher bars OR when I am impatient on waiting on him and adhere the canvas to foam core with Liquitex Heavy Body Gel Medium. Otherwise they all just sit in the pad, being sad and lonely. :D

[@IllustrationsByPete]

@@robinlarsendiy Nice!

[@dees3179]

Ohhh, I love perylene green too. So lovely.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hello Dee! It's my favorite green most days (sometimes it's sap green). Thank you for watching!

[@strandedinseattle9931]

Payne's Gray, definitely. I like smaller palettes, they make me up my color mixing game. But I do love to look at all the pretty colors at once, too. Now you've made me think on what colors I find essential...Uhg, don't make me redo my travel palette. LOL

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hi Stranded in Seattle! I'm sorry, lol. I just had to redo mine too....again....after this video. 12 colors is enough of a limit for me because I love color too but I enjoy learning about colors I'm not familiar with so I mix them up with some of my favorites and run with it for a while. It never lasts long, I'm a color swapper. I hope I didn't make too much trouble for you. 🙂

[@strandedinseattle9931]

@@IllustrationsByPete Playing with my paints is never trouble! Oh, are you familiar with Renesans (Etsy) handmade paints? Her half pans are usually only half full, but they are inexpensive ($4 a half pan or something like $8 for a .5ml tube) and nice quality. Dragons Blood and Paris Night are two of my ultimate faves which I use ALL THE TIME. I've tried to find similar in mainstream lines, but nothing comes close to the saturation and buttery goodness.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

No, I'm not familiar. I'll look into them. Thanks for the info.

[@EugeniaLoli]

For me it's easy, I only need 6 colors, since I have settled in on the neutral look. I don't like too colorful illustrations, they look too childish if they only have 1-2 layers and the colors are too strong. So I go directly for muted colors. These are: - Jaune Brilliant #1 by Holbein (book illustrations usually don't use strong yellows). If I needed a more true yellow, I'd go with Naples Yellow by any brand. - Venetian Red by Daniel Smith (the most red of all the Venetian Reds out there) - Potter's Pink by Roman Szmal (specifically that one, it's different than from other brands, I use it for skintones) - Moonglow by DS *or* Artemis by DaVinci watercolors (adds granulation and color separation for effect) - Indigo by DaVinci Watercolors (the most blue of all the Indigos out there) - Raw Umber by DaVinci Watercolors (used as modifier for other colors, or to paint dirt roads)

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hello Eugenia! That sounds like a very interesting palette. I like those choices. I was considering venetian red but opted for Indian red on my current palette. I may switch it out soon. Thank you for sharing and have a great day!

[@YoureBeautiful4Life]

Love that this was a video an exact explanation for how I process of elimination decided my palette. And now I can save it for next time! I definitely cannot live without Quin Lilac by DS 💜

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hello Simone! Great minds think alike. I have not tried Quin Lilac but a lot of people talk about it so I might need to try it. Thank you for watching!

[@joykruczay]

You likely will not see this late comment, but I just "found" this channel, thanks to KZbin algorithms. Your thought process is greatly appreciated. BTW, love the comment about items getting so small now. It is the same way with electronics - pretty soon I'll accidentally inhale some of this "mini" items.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Oh, I always see the comments 🕵️. Hi Joy! I'm glad you enjoyed this. My guess is they will start making earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry with little built in pencils and paint pans. They are ridiculous. Thank you for watching!

[@joykruczay]

@@IllustrationsByPete Thanks for the speedy reply! Technology and convenience is great, and I take full advantage at times. The "behind the ear" comment about the Chiclet sized pan made me think of a recent holiday we took. In Boston, it seemed as if 90% of those walking on the street had wireless ear buds, engaged in conversations. It appeared as if they were walking about talking to themselves. Jerry and I found it quite humorous. Thanks ever so much for sharing your talents with the world!

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Lol. That's our modern society. It's funny because I keep hearing people say they appreciate unplugging for a while but I never see them do it.

[@goodbyegut5177]

Hilarious when you said, those tiny palette people want to stick it behind their ear!!!! Thanks for making me laugh unexpectedly🤣🤣🤣

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Glad I could make you smile. 🙂

[@AmazinGraceXOXO1]

My color I can't live without is M Graham. Terra Rosa

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Yes, that is just like the Daniel Smith indian red. I love that color in all it's iterations. Thank you for your insight.

[@jeanvega219]

Interesting to see the different processes that work for different people. During travel I take a 12 color palette. I go with a cool and warm each of yellows, reds, and blues. A couple of greens, a white, a black and a couple of earths (siennas, umbers, ochres). I'm very indecisive, so I choose from the colors I have the most of that hurt the least to 'waste.' They're only studies and it helps me to loosen up when I don't have the time or colors to create 'perfection.'

[@IllustrationsByPete]

That's an interesting approach. Everyone seems to do it differently but that's what makes us all interesting.

[@annacount3682]

Right now I’m still using a split primary pallet for everyday painting, but with 2 additions: burnt sienna and winsor violet (all Winsor/Newton). Burnt Sienna because it makes a great black mixed with ultramarine blue, and the winsor violet because it mixes with the yellows to make nice light earth colors. I do use other paints and brands too, but when I’m learning new techniques, I tend to stick with the basic 6 plus 2, leaving 2 slots open for something new…

[@IllustrationsByPete]

That sounds like a plan. If it works and helps you then stick with it.

[@arleighbarley]

I loled at your mini altoids tin comment. I can get 5 half pans into a mini! Currently putting together a larger palette but I’ve worked tiny for so long, I’m frozen in indecision. Thanks for your smart and helpful video.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Glad I could help. 🙂

[@Frieda_Kamstra]

Thank you! Very usefull. Very annoying.. I keep busy with colour picking/choosing. You actually now which color you need when you go out painting. Except: every country is different and has its own colors. In my hometown I can definitely not live without raw umber. Lots of mud here 😂

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Lol. I'm glad you found this helpful.

[@irmabecx4758]

Ooo, Payne's Grey, definitely. Can't do without that.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hello Irma! I feel the same way. Do you have any other favorites?

[@irmabecx4758]

@@IllustrationsByPete I just got a new set of Schmincke Akademie and am in the process of learning and evaluation. But I always enjoy a strong, deep red colour, and I am liking both the Carmine and Cadmium Red a lot. Also a sucker for a nice Prussian Blue... :)

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Sounds like you're on the right track. I enjoy the deep reds also and Prussian blue was a mainstay on my palette for years. Thank you for sharing!

[@irmabecx4758]

@@IllustrationsByPete Thank you for the tips! I kind of like there only being 24 colours to choose from in the Akademie series, I'm not really missing any of the, what; 140 colours of the artist grade paints? Except perhaps Opera Rose pink... Trying to limit myself to 12 colours or so. :)

[@IllustrationsByPete]

That's very smart! I went the opposite route when I started and it took me a lot longer to learn how the colors interacted with one another. I'm making another video right now about using a 12 color palette to try and help myself learn some new colors. It really is the best way to go to learn quickly. You're using wisdom. Please drop a comment once in a while and let me know how you're progressing. I'd love to hear about your journey.

[@davidmolloy126]

Hiya Pete, I've just found your channel and love it. This is a great way to build a colour palette, thanks very much from a new subscriber in England.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hi David! I appreciate the encouragement and support from across the pond. I'm glad you found this useful. 🙂

[@Beckelby]

So much good info, thank you! The color I can't live without is purple, I'm constantly mixing purples, I need to buy one

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Thank you Becky! I always love to hear from you. Do you like a deep purple like the perylene violet shown here or do you like more of a bright purple?

[@Beckelby]

@@IllustrationsByPete I do really like the deeper purples. I just put M. Graham's Ultramarine Violet Deep in my cart because it's very middle of the road and if I need to I can tint it either direction 😊

[@IllustrationsByPete]

That sounds like a good plan. Thank you for sharing.

[@waymire01]

I put everything into pans after running into the same issue with traditional palettes. You can get the paint out... just make sure it's dry and go in with a palette knife or other tool to pry it out, pop it in a pan (break it up if needed), add some water so it softens, and press it in. Be sure to label your pans. Nothing wrong with an altoid tin.. I can fit 7 full pans (and two halves if you want a couple of accent colors) in one. I typically use a ceramic flower palette for mixing, they are heavy, compact enough to fit in a pocket, will hold a wet wash securely...and give that beautiful surface that doesn't bead, gives true white, and wipes clean with no staining. You can also easily pull the flap from a traditional metal palette to make it smaller and just use the lid for mixing, just use a nail or other small tool to push the attaching pin out a bit and pull it out. You can easily replace it in the future if you wish, no permanent damage.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hello Waymire01! Thank you for your insights.

[@tonys7845]

Can't live without Payne's gray and burnt sienna

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I use Payne's gray in almost every piece I make. 👍🏻

[@juudithakala]

Great video, Pete! I have two travel palettes I am setting up today (neither will fit behind my ear flares...), and one will be with your DS choices which I just happen to have... I like the more muted palette this will create! What brown pigment made the cut in Round 4, Darks and Lights, please? Oh, this is going to be fun! Kiitos (Finnish for thanks) 😎

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I love setting up palettes, so much fun. I will have to go back and watch to see which palette this was but almost assuredly it was the Mars Yellow, Piemonte Genuine and EF Brown Iron Oxide for the browns. Pane's blue gray is always a mainstay on the pallet. I put the lunar black on there but have since removed it and always add white gouache. Have fun picking your pallet!

[@juudithakala]

@@IllustrationsByPete Yes! The setup is essential and fun! Kiitos for the info:)

[@SarahNotSara]

Great content. Ty.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

[@waymire01]

Most of those primateks are just regular pigments with some added pbk11. You can mix them in a hurry if you keep it handy.

[@dees3179]

I do the same thing of keeping a master pallet and the swapping pans around to suit in my smaller ones.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

It took me some time and money to figure that one out. Thank you for your input.

[@lunastefanieroy]

This is very clever! I'm definitely going to give this a shot - even if I don't stick with the travel palette, I feel this is a good way to get to know your paints.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I'm glad you got something out of this. Thank you.

[@lunastefanieroy]

@@IllustrationsByPete I do have a question! If you're using something as simple as your derwent tin, what do you use as a mixing palette for travel? I tend to go with the folding tin palettes since I get a mixing space. Thanks!

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Great question. I usually have a tin palette with me but there is a little space in the Derwent palette. Many times I just try to mix on the page if I don't have enough space. You can get great results doing that, especially if you are into textured colors.

[@lunastefanieroy]

@@IllustrationsByPete Thank you so much! I'm a fairly new watercolor painter (my background is acrylics!) and I recently came across the "mix on the page" technique. I'm definitely going to give it a shot now! I also had a long wait on the phone this morning and I set up my own 12 colour palette! It's heavily based on the qor essential set, but I might customize it a little bit as I use it.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I hope you have a great experience with it. Sometimes a new medium is frustrating, especially with watercolor because it's not as controllable as acrylics. Just remember the watercolor is just a tool. Keep your love of creating at the front and you'll be fine. Every once in a while feel free to check in and let me know how it's going. I'm always willing to help anyway I can.

[@sarah4264]

This is one of the most useful videos Ive seen! I've set up so many plstic pallets that are useless when traveling since I like to take the bare minimum but not an Altoids size.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Hello Sara! Thank you, I'm so glad you found it helpful.

[@moon_studiosyt1340]

I'm making a travel kit in a little mints tin and I have a limit of six half pans in the tin, this video is really useful, tysm :)

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I'm glad I was able to help. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂

[@lindathaxton1994]

Excellent - thank you for sharing 🙏

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@veystone2580]

Colors I can't do without; Titanium White Payne's Gray Lunar Black Yellow Ochre Quinacridone Burnt Orange Burnt Umber The rest I can change but those 6 are a must have in every palette. 😊

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Thank you for sharing, Vey! Those seem like a very good mix to keep available.

[@veystone2580]

Watching your video again... and some things have change 😅 Now THESE are my must haves! Primary White Gouache (Holbein) Payne's Gray (Van Gogh) New Gamboge (Daniel Smith) Quinacridone Rose (Daniel Smith) French Ultramarine (Daniel Smith) Sap Green (Daniel Smith) Since I have been doing mostly portraits, I have found these colors work for me to get to skin tones in a second.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

Thanks for coming back! I can get on board with some of those. DS New Gamboge never leaves my palette. 👍🏻

[@dees3179]

I think ultra marine ends up in most of my pallets. Something akin to new gamboge. A cool red such as Carmine. Then inevitably I end up putting some brights in. Lemon yellow, turquoise or phthalocyanine blues. Don’t often have a warm red for some reason.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I used to always have French ultramarine in my palette and then one day I just stopped including it. I'm not sure why, it's a very nice color but I tend to shy away from warm blues.

[@dees3179]

@@IllustrationsByPete I like it for mixing mostly. I find it interesting how different my preference is depending on the subject matter.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I do have a tendency to switch color palettes but I do it more based on my mood than based on the subject. It's not a thought out decision, I just start grabbing different colors.

[@jellymiu]

I agree about the fixed palettes. I usually dig out the paint and replace, otherwise I will never use the palette.

[@IllustrationsByPete]

I try to make them work but they never do. It's more inspiring to use your own color choices anyway. 🙂

[@jellymiu]

@@IllustrationsByPete totally agree. We need to be inspired by the colours on the palette to pick them up to use more. Interesting to watch you pick the colours. Thanks for sharing!