DIY Glass Palette Demo for Painting: RISD Art Professor Explains

[@artprof]

See our video on how to prepare canvas and paper for oil and acrylic painting! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIm7gamAhbVppbs

[@theactivelion4006]

This is so incredibly useful. As someone who has wasted a lot of plastic palettes (because of being unable to clean them) the glass palette is a game changer. Also the gray paper trick is genius!

[@MariaRevArt]

I remember when I first tried using a glass palette. Never looked back. I've even seen some artists use it for watercolours. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@dougsundseth6904]

If you don't want or need a palette that large (plein air or traveling to paint, for instance), you can use porcelain tiles from the hardware store. They're already opaque, available in a variety of colors, inexpensive, and quite durable. (I use wet palettes almost exclusively, because they keep acrylics live much longer, but when I want a hard palette, I typically use a tile.)

[@only1jones2]

hmm, are there specific tiles made less likely to break or do you just have to be careful with them?

[@elliefitzpatrick1552]

That is such a great idea! I use some tile samples as coasters, but hadn't thought about using them as a palette!

[@nickorange4881]

@@elliefitzpatrick1552 where the little ones expensive?

[@deadgrlart]

i am so glad i came across this channel. so informative, especially for someone who’s planning on applying to art school.

[@artprof]

Terrific! We have many more free art resources on our main site: artprof.org/

[@littlejoe6025]

That is so cool! I've seen friends use panes of glass as palettes, but never with the grey underneath. Thanks for demonstrating how simple it is to make one. Glass palette here I come! Thank you!

[@artprof]

Cool! Good luck with the palette, it's a total game changer!

[@matmeg6198]

I have a tendency to use whatever is in my vicinity as a palette. Cardboard, paper plate, piece of paper, empty chip bag, literally anything.

[@artprof]

I guess you're more like my colleague Alex in this video!

[@DaniCal1forn1a]

Empty chip bag is giving me life omg 🤣. I personally have a penchant for using plastic food container lids from things I've just eaten (quickly washed first of course 😅). Round ones like on tubs of soup, soft cheese, ice cream e.g. are my favourite since I always have one to hand and I can hold them in the palm of my hand if I feel like it. They're probably too small for acrylic and oil, but they work great for watercolours since they have a lip and I can keep some colours isolated from each other and use another for mixing! A bonus of this for me too is that I can clean one for mixing quickly without messing with the paint I want to stay put... this started because I couldn't be bothered to find or clean my actual palette though, and I always have some around just from eating so it's also super convenient 😅. Mini jam jars are also a random thing I happened upon for if I want to use a fountain pen ink or a single colour of watercolour because I was wanting to paint and looking for a small receptacle to put a little ink in... turned out to be another useful discovery since I can screw the lid back on so my ink doesn't evaporate! Seriously realising that food containers are one of my go-to things for art tools & storage... currently using a big pickle jar to put my water in, I love it way more than "proper" things I've had to hold water other than the collapsible bucket I use for cleaning my brushes while I'm painting... they don't really make food containers of things I usually eat that size and the handle is really handy, but you bet I'd have ended up using a food container if I'd had one like it 💀

[@08.lalithahasinich51]

OMG me too , I use notebooks , surfaces of boxes currently a writing pad and sometimes an entire table or a bench .

[@dorothysalvatori3930]

Perfect! I'll be making my glass palette this week. Thank you for the idea.

[@artprof]

That's awesome!! Good luck :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@only1jones2]

Thank you for the video! I've just made two glass palettes, having seen them used by an artist I was watching. I spray painted the backs of two glass "worktop savers" (£5 each, 40x50cm, toughened, smooth, clear, and thin) with Unbleached Titanium White Liquitex (£6.50, 400ml, water-based acrylic that specifically mentions glass as a suitable surface). This is quite a warm off-white; in fact, I was worried about it being too warm but the greenness of the glass takes that warmth right down. Now I've gotta get one of those scrapers! Also, only painting in oils, I've made a brush cleaning tank out of a Kilner-style jar and malleable steel cable wire (for the coil against which to agitate my brushes). It doesn't seem to be all that air-tight so I may need to go back and get a proper branded one :( I'd appreciate any advice you have on this... including anything on low-odour cleaners to use instead of turps? is Gamsol good? Is stuff from DIY stores good enough 'cause the stuff from art shops seems unnecessarily expensive. I have hog hair as well as softer synthetic or sable brushes, so I want to make sure I look after them properly and keep them in good condition. I've bought a honey-based soap for this purpose which seems good (again, at £6 a bar, expansive from an art shop!) PS I found all this in a UK store called The Range, including the Liquitex spray paint, though I had to go elsewhere for the colour I wanted.

[@artprof]

Wow, the brush cleaning tank is such a great idea! I love when artists make their own tools, it makes the process so much more interesting. Gamsol is fantastic for cleaning brushes! There are also a lot of brush cleaning soaps, like the one you bought, that can also do the trick (they do tend to be more expensive, though). If you'd like to check out our oil painting series, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moHaaX1ofJyWp6s it might be helpful! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@tombeast17]

I was wondering where to get the glass from (also UK based), they sell it in the Range?

[@Synsan9327]

Glass Cutting boards, milk white plates from the 2nd hand store or thrift shop and you can put a bowl over the flat surface and put it in a air tight plastic bag and it will keep for 24- 48 hrs. if not mixed with medium.

[@artprof]

That's so interesting, thanks for sharing! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@s.i1905]

I was struggling always about a suitable pallet .this is a great idea. Thank you so much!!

[@artprof]

Great! Much more coming on our main site in our free oil and acrylic painting course: artprof.org/courses/oil-acrylic-painting/

[@Neptunecloud]

I'm using toughened glass shelf from a fridge with a midtone gray paper taped underneath

[@artprof]

Woah, great idea! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@AzureSymbiote]

Thank you. I am looking for a glass palette.

[@Techno_Nomadic]

I always left mine clear. Blend on the palette, then hold it up to the canvas and look through the palette to see if I had the color I needed. If I wanted a white palette, I just set it on a sheet of paper or for that matter whatever I wanted as a reference color. Like a color wheel when I wanted a specific shade, just blend to match.

[@artprof]

This is super smart! I love the idea of a clear palette so you can match to the canvas. I could see having a small mixing palette for such processes. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@CulturalEspionage]

Ive started using a piece of toughened glass I had made for exposing my screen printing screens as my palette and it's really nice 👍

[@Catbooks]

I'm about to make a glass palette for myself. But was planning on painting the back with middle grey acrylic, then sealing it. Thinking of getting a piece of tempered 1/4" glass with a beveled edge from a glass store. This is a quicker and less expensive good alternative.

[@artprof]

Such a good tip, thank you so much for watching! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@alissandrasweeney289]

I like to reuse clear plastic containers/lids for disposable palettes ("reduce, reuse, recycle"!) but I can definitely see the benefit of the glass. Would a sturdy piece of cardboard be an adequate substitute for the foam board?

[@artprof]

Yes, cardboard would work! My recommendation would be to use 2-3 sheets of cardboard to keep it thickly padded, and to use corrugated cardboard whenever possible since it's more substantial.

[@alissandrasweeney289]

Art Prof That's what I was thinking too. Thanks for the quick reply!

[@casual_dismay]

Perfect 👌🏻 about to try oil paints for the first time and will be making my own pallet now, thank you 😊

[@artprof]

Yay! If you need tips for how to get started painting with oils, you might like our oil painting tutorial, we provide all the info on supplies and technique you need to start! Oil painting can be tricky if you don't get the right info, especially in terms of supplies. artprof.org/courses/oil-painting/

[@casual_dismay]

@@artprof amazing thank you, will be checking these out 😊

[@conmeilien0194]

Thank you so much I have watched this vid so many times because I’m getting into oil painting and I heard this was one of the best palletes so thank you

[@artprof]

You should check out our oil painting tutorial! kzbin.info/www/bejne/moHaaX1ofJyWp6s -Prof Lieu

[@cozmin1424]

I bought a cheap glass frame... used it without watching any documentaries on how to make one better. Well while cleaning it with the razor it broke... That's why you use foam at the bottom! *Facepalm*

[@xsmh1968]

Going to try an old glass shelf from bathroom that I’m no longer using.

[@artprof]

Awesome idea!! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@jazw4649]

Just found a tempered 1/4" thick piece of black glass on the curb for garbage day. My new glass palette! It's excessively heavy duty 😆

[@artprof]

Omg, that's amazing!! What a find :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@sugarplum9017]

I've used glazed ceramic tiles and plates too for acrylic if you like a white surface. Just soak them in water for a few minutes and the paint peels right off. For disposable palette FORGET so called "palette paper", use Reynolds Freezer Paper!!! You get a huge roll of it at the grocery store/walmart for like 5$ and it works the SAME WAY. I think it actually IS the same stuff...

[@artprof]

Yes! We do show and recommend freezer paper in our oil painting tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moHaaX1ofJyWp6s Way better because you can make it any size you want and cheaper! -Prof Lieu

[@beesknees947]

Wonderful idea; thanks!

[@artprof]

You are so welcome! -Prof Lieu

[@starrynight4041]

I just use picture frames that have a glass with beveled edges

[@jadetobin]

I just found this an I'm VERY excited to make this as I just have cheap plastic ones, having not much experience, just teaching myself, and thought the slick white plastic would be easy enough to clean...not so much :/ I am wondering if it's a certain type or thickness of glass, or just something like from home depot? What approx size do you suggest or what size was this one? Sorry for all the questions, just excited :) thanks a bunch!!

[@artprof]

Regular glass is fine, doesn't have to be a certain type or thickness! I'm sure anything from Home Depot will be fine. The size we use here is 18" x 24," I think any bigger than that it's likely to break more easily. I happen to prefer a larger palette because it means more mixing space and I don't have to clean my palette as often, but it's up to you! Good luck! -Prof Lieu

[@jadetobin]

@@artprof thanks SO much!!! Good advice on the size too!! Perfect! Thanks again for the video!!

[@Gr95dc]

I'm currently using a tea cup plate as a palette 😂 but not anymore! I'm doing my own glass palette now. Thanks for the concise tutorial ❤️

[@artprof]

You're so welcome! Although the tea cup palette seems a lot cuter.... - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@lindyashford7744]

I have a peelable palette, it is oval and has well around one edge and a nice mixing area for nearly all of it. Light enough to be held if you want to. And the leftover paint just peels of in a sheet if dry, wipes clean if wet. It is white though, and so of no benefit in terms of a nice neutral grey. Not sure I would have space for a huge glass palette, table space if really limited.

[@artprof]

I personally love smaller palettes, they're a lot easier for me to manage! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@NeutralShades]

I'm going to make this right now. I have a wooden palette, but it's really tedious for upkeep. This will save me so much more time.

[@artprof]

That's awesome! Good luck :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@rynjeff1073]

I bought a glass pallet and used it for an oil painting class. Somehow, towards the end of the semester, it shattered. Crud.

[@only1jones2]

Sounds like it may have been made from safety glass rather than toughened glass. Perhaps someone else here knows more about glass, though.

[@nickorange4881]

I really like this idea as a paint palette. Inexpensive is what I like haha can you do another video of the same or similar? But for watercolor and goauche ? What kind of paint palettes can you use for that ? Do you need the same kind of palette for goauche like with jelly goauche ? Are plastic palettes okay for watercolor and goauche ? Or is a different kind better for them ?

[@artprof]

You can use this tutorial for watercolor & gouache as well! Plastic palettes and palette paper also work :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@itzDave09]

Where do you purchase the gray paper and what color gray did you use? I've made them before and used gray spray paint for metal which also works great. 2 coats and used tempered glass. But would like to try your technique with the gray paper.

[@artprof]

Hi! Really doesn't matter what type of paper you use, could be super cheap construction paper since it's protected under the glass. Go to the store and compare the greys, some are tinted a little blue, a little brown, so see if you can get the one that seems the most neutral. I explain using the palette more in our oil tutorial. Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moHaaX1ofJyWp6s Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6rdqph3j65sqas -Prof Lieu

[@itzDave09]

@@artprof okay, so let me ask you. If you are looking at the Gray Scale & Value Finder, which value is best. Just want your opinion. And thanks again!!!!

[@artprof]

@@itzDave09 I would say a grey that is right in the middle is good! Have fun!! -Prof Lieu

[@M4th3u54ndr4d3]

What is the size of the glass used in this video? What size would be "average", in your opinion?

[@artprof]

The palette here is 18" x 24." As for size, it really depends on your personal preference and work space! I like a bigger palette because I don't have to stop and clean it as often. -Prof Lieu

[@MrLarrythehacker]

Can you find these at art supplies stores? Also, what about palette paper?

[@artprof]

Yes, you can get the grey paper, foam board, and glass at an art supply store. For palette paper, you can get freezer paper at any grocery store, much cheaper than those disposable palettes that art supply stores sell!

[@MrLarrythehacker]

Thank you! It sounds like glass palettes are typically self-assembled, or are they typically bought pre-assembled in art supply stores as well?

[@artprof]

I've never seen a glass palette in an art supply store before, generally you do have to make it yourself.

[@MacNKoB3]

I always told myself as an artist one can say their palette is their imagination and that's what we must expand , can you imagine if one cannot imagine?

[@artprof]

The more your imagination grows, the more you'll try new things and create better work! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@MacNKoB3]

@@artprof thank you for your willingness and craft of using the little or nothing and making something to help out in the minimalist manner, I just always find myself experimenting and experiencing new things looking back at things I made that's why I try keeping things but as an artist, you must know theres a balance to a good idea, just find the best way to put it out there I always tell this to everyone and I've gotten lost into the internet sensation of going viral but the truth is I just enjoy playing with paint and making mostly pen and pencil work .You must appreciate and acknowledge the small things in life to begin seeing the bigger picture. I'm 21 and I've been into it since 5th grade to make something out of nothing .

[@DeeTee79]

Yup, no 50 dollar piece of plastic for me, just waiting for the grey spraypaint to dry, this palette idea is great

[@artprof]

Yeah! I can't believe that people spend money on pre-made palettes, it's so much better to make your own!!

[@Alice_in_artsupply_hoarderland]

Can it be any type of glass? I have been told that it should be tempered glass... 🤷‍♀️

[@artprof]

I'm pretty sure any type of glass will do! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@ashley61000]

Is it just plexiglass or actual glass?

[@artprof]

Glass is much easier to clean than plexi. You just want to make sure you get tempered glass so it won't shatter if you happen to drop it. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@ssc172]

Is acrylic glass (Plexiglas) ok, or is it better to use normal glass?

[@artprof]

Regular glass is much better, the plexiglass doesn't clean as easily. -Prof Lieu

[@ssc172]

Art Prof: Create & Critique Thanks for the superquick answer! I also realized,after a second thought, that Plexiglass actually will scratch, reducing the usability :/

[@alexshi9320]

I tried this on two glass palettes and whenever I use a palette knife to scrape it cracks.

[@artprof]

That's not good! I bet you'd need to invest in a stronger glass? That's pretty strange - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@kathryngorsha7873]

I never see anyone explain how to keep the oil paints “moist?” in order to be able to use them for days or weeks? Is the entire palette kept in a box???

[@artprof]

I would put plastic wrap over my glass palette, but I think some people also put their palette in a freezer. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@FallingStary]

I just use a square mirror but before that a glass front from a picture frame at a thrift store

[@artprof]

Yup, many options out there!

[@johnfoster5489]

Foam board and a piece of paper as a backing for glass? No way! I used 3/4 MDF same size as my glass. Painted it grey with acrylic tinted gesso, placed my glass on when it dried. Then duct taped edges. It is a much safer way to do this. Provides a much sturdier base. Especially when your applying pressure to your glass pallet.

[@johnfoster5489]

I purchased a precut 2’x2’ MDF and 2’x2’ piece of glass at Lowe’s for 15$. I have 4 square feet of pallet space. It’s amazing

[@H_0735]

So glad I saw your comment! I'm gonna try this ASAP

[@venluisa123456]

Can you use plexiglass??

[@artprof]

You could, although I imagine cleaning it would be harder to do with the window scraper; my guess is that the window scraper would actually scrape marks into it and eventually be a lot tougher to clean. I don't think plexiglass is much cheaper than glass, in fact it might even cost more! -Prof Lieu

[@venluisa123456]

Thanks for this comment 🙌🏽 I have never bought plexi so I had no idea on the amount of plastic or other materials in it and how it responds to sharp objects. So thank you! Ps. just an artist sick of cleaning this dusty wood palettes for a living🎨

[@artprof]

For sure, I was so frustrated cleaning old palettes so the glass palette was a huge game changer for me! -Prof Lieu

[@only1jones2]

​@@venluisa123456 That's made out of acrylic so the oil / acrylic paint may bind with it in a way it doesn't with real glass. And, if you're using rubbing alcohol / surgical spirit to remove dried acrylic paint, that might dissolve some of your plexiglass(?)

[@LeafVeiledBoy]

Is this tempered glass?

[@artprof]

Nope, just regular glass!

[@BeautifulGemm]

When someone laughs in your face when asking advice smh👎

[@artprof]

You can get away with it when you're friends. 😄 -Prof Lieu

[@mithranach1912]

Size of Palette ?

[@artprof]

In the video we use 18" x 24" but you can do any size you want! -Prof Lieu