Palette Talk - watercolor travel palettes to buy or make - by Chris Carter

[@classguy7021]

O…M…G… when you said, “While I PARAGLIDE…” my jaw dropped and my heart started pounding. You are my hero. I completely felt your love of watercoloring while doing what you love. I love to do watercolor while kayaking. I won’t be paragliding, but I’m inspired that you do. Great video. This was very helpful.

[@minhphung7389]

Painting while paragliding?! You're incredible!!

[@ChrisCarterArt]

My aerial studio was too large the first time I tried it. My painting surface blocked my peripheral vision and I experienced motion sickness, something I'm not prone to. I redesigned my gear and now I can fly and paint without a problem.

[@annelogged]

Lol omg I wasn't expecting the paragliding part! 🤣

[@JenniferBuayan]

Ok the fact that you can paraglide and paint is amazing!! Awesome video! ❤️

[@sarahmcarthur9107]

I actually came to the same conclusion (about a week before finding your video!) about using magnets. I was at the hardware store and ran across some super strong magnets and found they work well on my similar travel board--I have glued magnet tape on the inside of my (similar to your old ones) black tri-fold small palette, as well as putting one of the strong magnets in one of those wells at the bottom also. I can't even shake that thing off the board at this point. I use blue tack for the pans in the tray--they're just stuck, and while you can pull them off fairly easily (unless you're grabbing a pan next to another pan with soft paint in it and then it's messy) they aren't going anywhere, especially if you have all three rows filled with pans. I don't know if Expedition Art is the same as Travel Art (in Port Townsend, WA) but the palette looks very similar. I'm thinking my black tri-fold is very heavy, and suspect that the slimmer silver one would be a lot lighter, so I'm going to look into that, but I like your idea of cosmetic boxes as well--I don't know if those are still available but I'll be looking into that. I'm always looking to refine down a bit as I don't need all the junk I have, especially for trips over borders. Thanks for a great video--and what a great way to spend time with your son!

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Hi Sarah. Yes. I beliueve that Expedition Art is the same as Travel Art. The other palette I use a great deal when traveling is pans of watercolour in a mini Altoid tin. I can fit a cool yellow, a warm blue and both a cool and warm red in the tiny tin. I use two thin, round cosmetic tins that hold to a magnetic strip on the lid for mixing, one to mix cool mixutures and one to mix warm mixtures. Along with a small waterbrush , small sketchbook (or just a few sheets of paper, and a wrist sock is all I need to paint anywhere with everything slipping easily into a pocket.

[@LowKey_izildura]

Flying & painting!!! OK, you got yourself a fan!!

[@sallyreff2574]

I spray paint my metal travel palettes with Rust-Oleum exterior high gloss white. Dry for a few days, and it works perfectly.

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Excellent idea. Thanks!

[@xenoncs2141]

This is the most informative and honest take on these pocket palette s

[@valasafantastic1055]

If your in Canada look into Dollarama there are perfect tins there. They have goofy Canadian animals on the cover and the word Canada, and come with decent travel coloured pencils. They close great and have non beading white enamel inner lid perfect for watercolour mixing. And can fit 44 half pans (I love lots of colours myself) very sleek steel)hasn’t rusted yet. Magnets stick and Half/full pans with magnets fit perfectly! 1/2 inch deep (1.5 cm) 6 in (15 com) x 4 in (10.5 cm) I can easily fit 2 in my small purse. They can also fit other things. They are with the Canada Tourist stuff. I also love the medeen 42 colour spinner plastic watercolour set with a waterbrush mixing area and sponge. Very sleek As someone who wants both all the colours possible and travel possibilities these are great. I peel out the crappy original medeen paint and put good paint from tubes you prefer instead. Leave open to dry. I use the Canada tins primarily for gouache in half pans as that is better for gouache vs the spinner pallets which are better for watercolour. Note I don’t use every colour IN every painting I just love all the colours and do several convenience pre mixes for watercolour and gouache and also use both together often. Have fun everyone. This was a very enjoyable video. And the casual way you said and showed watercolour painting while paragliding. Lol. That’s a new one, pretty epic.

[@MedievalMary]

I already discovered putting magnets on half pans, but I love the business card holder idea!

[@8r4ham]

I got more info and ideas from this film than a mountain of other travel palette films. Thank You xx.

[@ChrisCarterArt]

My pleasure!

[@johncitizen3361]

Thanks for this video, I didn’t know those thin metal pans existed until I saw your video and have been wanting to turn a metal business card holder I’ve had for ages into a travel palette. I’m amazed you paint while paragliding, that’s some serious plein air 👏👏👏

[@WendiWells]

Fun video!! Thank you! I recently added a thin metal mount plate (the kind that have an adhesive backing used for mounting your cell phone to a magnetic mount in a car) to the back of my aluminum art tool kit pocket palette and now it will stick to a magnet! 😀 I also have a Woodward And Father Palette (bigger than a pocket pallet at about 3x3” and less than 1/2” thick, but still smaller than the usual travel palette). It also uses magnets to hold little metal pans for paint. Inside the lid I added several pans for mixing using blue tack!

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Please post a photo of the of your setup. I haven’t heard of the Woodward and Father palette. I looked it up, and it appears to be similar to the thin, hinged tins that I've saved from Caran D'Ache Neopastels (4.5" x 5.5" x .5") and Valrhona squares of dark chocolate (4.25" x 4.25" x .5"). I use these two tins in the same way for a more extended palette and extra cosmetic tins for mixing pigments. Thin tins are always worth saving!

[@katsmith8263]

I'm rewatching your video for the 5th times already 😂😂😂😂

[@bozmundarts2614]

*painting while paragliding... not like you'll have enough time to fully finish off a painting but.... My reaction was: wh...wha....w-what...?...what..??*

[@ChrisCarterArt]

The parapaintings are definitely not among those to hang in museums. However, I'm always surprised that other pilots actually recognize the landmarks and know what's going on in the sketch. It's probably more about figuring out how to do it so that when my son and I fly the Alps together I'll be able to capture it in sketches, too. I definitely am working on finding a technique that works well when the world is swirling below me. Thanks for taking the time to make a comment!

[@catbraunwell6450]

Great video. You’re so creative in your palettes. I have done some dabbling and playing to alter travel pounds as well I thought I was so clever until I saw your tiny one and now I think I must have one! Why is it we artists like to collect so many things that make our life easier but we just keep our striving for yet another one? Hahah I am currently traveling again finally and I have just purchased a Portable Painter palette which I’m eager to try. We just arrived yesterday so hopefully in the next few days I can go out and try it Thank you for sharing all your genius ideas. I have no subscribed to your channel and look forward to more from you.

[@paulfogarty7724]

Thank you - It's nice to see what other artist's use / don't use, and their innovations ect.

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I agree. I'm inspired by the creative solutions I learn from other artists. Thanks for the comment, Paul.

[@debbieb7431]

You are a boss! Painting while paragliding! Great ideas. I will just be staying n the ground. Lol

[@65sunnyday]

How clever - Thanks! (bookmarked)

[@annemorgan2928]

Wonderfully, creative!!!

[@rogerehinger6694]

Mini Altoids tins will hold five half pans easily, six depending on manufacturer and wall thickness. Careful scrapping and smoothing will usually allow six but orientation and order of installation matter. It took me a couple of tries to succeed in getting them in, getting them out may require tools. The makeup case idea is great! Kudos to the one who figured that out. I find the sketch book and water source more difficult to carry everywhere. While I can get a small sketch done with an ounce /ounce and a half of water it's really not enough to really rinse brushes between colors without some cross contamination.

[@katsmith8263]

I made myself a business card holder with eyeshadow tin cans that I filled with gouache. Works well except that I don't have there a mixing area

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I use a magnet attached to the inside of the lid and several empty cosmetic tins for mixing.

[@Angela-jy8um]

Painting while paragliding! That's dedication. Person 1: I was knocked out by this palette falling from the sky! Person 2: Oh I'm so sorry. Person 1: It's okay, it was a really clever design. hahaha

[@deborahmeyers7839]

A wealth of information thanks ❤️

[@GKganesan]

Loved it!

[@mariannaalexandra1618]

Thank you for this video. I agree with other comments - I learned so much from it and got many ideas for my own mini palette. If it helps, when using half or full pans, I put a small, 10x3mm magnet inside the pan, then squeeze the watercolor on top. This way I don’t have to use blu tac or magnet tape. But this of course won’t work with the tiny eye shadow pans. Hope you’re still paraglide-painting!

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Brilliant idea marianna!!! Thank you.

[@mariannaalexandra1618]

@@ChrisCarterArt just a quick note on the magnets - I initially got the 1mm thick ones cause then I’d have more space for the paint, but it wasn’t strong enough to hold the pan in place in the palette. I haven’t tried 2mm (if it exists?) but 3mm definitely works well.

[@1tlb0k61]

That was a wonderful informative video. I hv been looking at a similar set up for $70 but now will make my own!

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Let me know if you have any questions as you make your own and PLEASE send me photo of your finished portable studio.

[@1tlb0k61]

@@ChrisCarterArt it may take me a while, but I will. Thanks again ~

[@CAPTAINCAPSLOCK111]

"The magic of madness" ...(goes on telling about palettes)... and then watercolor painting WHILE paragliding ;-) haha YMMD

[@katsmith8263]

You clearly know how to chose colors. What do you think about gouache? Do you paint with it? I started to use it just because I have a crappy paper that wrinkles too much when I use watercolor.

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I love gouache! It is really quite different from watercolour in the way it behaves. It will also wrinkle paper. However, it works really well on paper grocery bags! I would love to see what you're doing with it.

[@ChiseledDiamond]

My favorite watercolor pallete is one I made myself from a old tea tin and it fits in my pencil pouch!

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I'd love to see a photo! My favorite is the mini altoid tin. It fits in my pocket and holds three half-pans and a full pan of pigment. that's all I really need.

[@ChiseledDiamond]

@@ChrisCarterArt sure! Do you have an Instagram? Would love to see your artwork on there!

[@ChiseledDiamond]

@@ChrisCarterArt nvm found your Instagram!

[@ChrisCarterArt]

@@ChiseledDiamond I'm still trying to understand how to use Instagram well. Any suggestions? I'm frustrated with the limitations of videos being vertical and the confusion I have with "stories". I prefer Instagram to the ever-changing facebook and I'm trying to feel more comfortable with it.

[@ChiseledDiamond]

@@ChrisCarterArt well the stories are confusing even me, but I find trial and error works well!

[@Jennifer-ep1sr]

Great ideas. ❤🇦🇺

[@arlenealennox3136]

Lots of good ideas here!

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Thanks!

[@samimurtomaki5534]

I wasn't thinking taking my environmentally harmfull colors to nature, and I was really happy when I saw that in the pictures You didn't had cobalt in Your paragliding pallette. How ever Tens of thousands people who wach this are not going to notice that.

[@samimurtomaki5534]

I know I can bring my dirty water back with me, but my sharp intellect and unparelled finesse comes with a fair bit of absent minded clumsiness, and I know I'd spill sooner or later, and I'm not even absolutely sure If I can keep the amount ending up in me small enouht for not causing any harm. Anyways if I sound like I'm overthinking things. Yes I do that a lot, but in this case it might not even be the case.

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Thank you for being so observant and for commenting, bringing this to other people's attention.

[@Eighteen19]

Stick another magnet under the box. Amazing ideas amazing video 🙏🏼🤍🪷

[@artieross9537]

You said warm and cool colors. Can you please tell me exactly what colors you use?

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I vary the pigments I use. However, my standard palette of six pigments is aureolin (cool yellow), gamboge (warm yellow), cadmium red light (warm red), alizarin crimson (cool red), ultramarine blue (warm blue) and Joe's blue (cool blue ... a phthalo blue).

[@deborahmartin6365]

Some great practical money saving tips

[@neyalek5024]

I've never seen those extra large pans before. Are they double full pans? Where did you get those?

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I'm not sure which pans you are referring to. The plastic pans are either half pans or full pans that I purchased as empty pans through Jerry's Artarama or Dick Blick. The shallow, metal tins are empty cosmetic tins I buy in bulk (bags of 100) from different retailers online. You can search for "empty eyeshadow pans". If this doesn't answer your question, please take a screenshot of the pan you are asking about and send it to me via instagram DM - Instagram.com/chriscarterart

[@tinaari88]

Painting while paragliding! Now… you’re just showing off🤣🤣

[@chrisgregore359]

I don't know if it will work for your dried red paint that keeps falling out ... I realize it has been years since you filmed this video but, if you put a drop of water on the tin and then put the dried up paint back into that tin it will adhere to the tin again. At least it should. It works when using plastic half pan tins. Thank you for this great and informative video. =)

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Yes, this technique does work for the metal tins, too.

[@wanderingstar5673]

I added a leftover metal plate that is adhesive backed that came with my magnetic 🧲 phone mount to the back of my mini palette 🎨. Also great for plastic palettes 🎨. No need to purchase metal palettes.

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Great idea!!!

[@arlyhelm6219]

Should I get a double metal water cup or two singles?

[@kristiemaloy4099]

Do you have a link for the steel business card holder and makeup trays?

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Sorry I missed seeing this question. I no longer have the link. I had just googled for Stainless Steel business card cases.

[@arlyhelm6219]

Would your Art Deco steel business card holder stick to your support if you put a magnet on the underside of the support?

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I don't know. Probably not because the support is too thick.

[@katsmith8263]

Love it

[@franswey2]

Can you put the magnet on the back of the card holder and it will possibly hold the pans inside the pallet. 😊

[@ChrisCarterArt]

The magnet only works in one direction. Perhaps I'm not understanding your question.

[@nickorange4881]

What kind of board was that ?

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Foam core

[@katarinaholik]

viridian and crimson give nice purpurlish black

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Yes! I often use viridian and alizarin crimson for my darkest darks both in watercolor and in oil.

[@dees3179]

Well I suppose that’s really testing the equipment. Wow.

[@kristelwyman]

I can't seem to find any of the little tins (the ones in the business card holder) that aren't at least 1". Anyone know where I can find these?

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Google "empty cosmetic tins". I buy them in bulk. I ordered them from tkbtrading.com

[@1aliveandwell]

What about those AOL CD metal tins sent in the mail(hard to take off lid)?

[@lesleykurdi873]

Why dont you just use sticky backed velcro.

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I've used velcro before and prefer magnets. The velcro gets stuck to many other things that make it inconvenient.

[@ralphherrick596]

What is your board made of?

[@ChrisCarterArt]

half inch foam core ... super sturdy and lightweight.

[@ralphherrick596]

@@ChrisCarterArt thank you

[@theowlspirit]

For some reason I thought this person was painting while skydiving lololol.

[@ChrisCarterArt]

No, I was paragliding tandem with my son. Skydiving would have been far more remarkable!

[@katsmith8263]

7:12 please tell my why do you have the urge to paint while paragliding 😂😂😂😂😂 i'd have an urfe to other things while paragliding

[@ChrisCarterArt]

I love challenges and I love heights. Figuring out what I needed to do to be able to paint and use a fountain pen while paragliding was part of the fun. The most difficult part was figuring out how to attach both the fountain pen and its cap to my studio system so that if I dropped either one it wouldn't hurt someone on the ground ... not that anyone would be below me. I've also sketched from the top of a mast of a sailboat, from a tiny ledge on a cliff and from a narrow ledge on a building ... for the same reason. It's rarely about the sketch or painting that results from these challenges. It's all about the process and the experience of the time I spend in these unusual locations ... and, of course, the unusual point of view I have from these odd locations. For me, it's a bit of silly entertainment with a bit of added rush. I rarely paint while paragliding anymore. Instead, I simply enjoy running off a cliff with my son and flying with the birds.

[@katsmith8263]

Paragliding?????!!!!😮😮😮😮

[@deborahmartin6365]

Sound quality very poor for me?

[@ChrisCarterArt]

Sorry the sound doesn't work well for you..