How to level-up your watercolor palette (a simple hack)

[@brigitteitg]

I hadn’t heard about the glue stick treatment yet, very interesting! I usually clean my palette with a magic eraser or brush soap, which after a few times cleaning has the same effect. I also heard people using toothpaste - I guess anything slightly abrasive will do. I like the idea of the gesso, it can practically turn anything into a watercolour palette. You can probably sand it lightly to remove the brush strokes.

[@Pointebrush]

Definitely most abrasive alternatives would probably work as well! The balance is to make sure it’s not so abrasive that it ends up damaging your palette in the process. Love your idea for sanding the surface post gesso! That’s a terrific idea!

[@questioneverything3632]

I use Murphy’s oil soap straight from the bottle, wipe it on then wipe off with a dry paper towel. Works perfectly!

[@lievemartens6875]

Hello dear Margot. I go over my palette very lightly with a scouring pad, Really, really light. That helps, too. The palette works very well then. Thank you also for your very good and instructive videos. I loveeee them. Best greetings from me, Lieve from Belgium.

[@katpaints]

I have converted old Altoid and cigarette tins into watercolor palettes. My grandpa used to use the cigarette tins to store small screws so it was fun to use one for watercolor. I used gloss spray enamel on the outside but decided to use flat spray white on the inside. I was surprised how that flat did not bead up - and is fairly chip-proof. I have used SoftScrub cleanser on my old palettes since the 90s and that was quick and easy. I recently dug out my old, huge plastic palette and it is wonderful in that it still does not bead up! I really do not understand the point of using glue stick.

[@britevision]

I recently tried using a de-greaser (like for cleaning ovens, pans, etc) and it worked like magic! I figured it's a chemical meant to cut through grease and oil.... so. I will say, after using and cleaning my palette a few times, I noticed slight beading. I used the de-greaser again and it's back to beautiful pooling like it's on porcelain. If anyone is curious, I just sprayed the entire palette with the de-greaser and wiped it around with a sponge. I then wiped it off. Basically just wash your palette as if it's a dirty pan. I hope this helps someone!

[@RobinMasek]

My palette was not new, but it started beading up after I cleaned the stains off with Masters brush cleaner, which worked well to remove stains. Your glue stick magic eraser trick worked like a charm. I saw another video on removing stains with tooth paste. I'm going to give that a try next. Thanks for your help!

[@BrittanyDempseyArts]

All these didn't work for me so did lots of research and found that a few drops of winsor and newton ox gall and it flows like a dream. I know this is an old video but I've never heard anyone talk about ox gall so maybe if you make an update you can mention this. Also I adore your videos and style of teaching ❤❤

[@marilouthomas8055]

How do you use it? :)

[@BrittanyDempseyArts]

@marilouthomas8055 I take a dropper and drop a drop ontop of the pallet area and a drop into my pans. I saw someone say a few drops into your clean water cup but that didn't work for me. It only makes it flow better so a few drops ontop of the paint won't affect it negatively.

[@OneTrueWord1988]

Thanks so much for this excellent information! Definitely trying it soon. ♥️💐♥️

[@TracyIndy]

Thank you for the wonderful tips. I've heard about scrubbing sponges and I've treated all my palettes with success, but the glue and gesso trreatments are completely new to me. 👍👍👍

[@Pointebrush]

Glad you were able to discover something new! Thanks for watching!! ❤

[@LCLand]

I find that the use of the palette eventually eradicates the beading. Takes a few months but the beading doesn’t bother me 🤷🏻‍♀️😄

[@sesanger712]

I don't care for the glue stick method. I did this to one of my plastic palettes and when I mixed colors in the wells with water, the glue basically mixed with the water. Yes, I let it dry for several days. Yes, I used a permanent glue, glue stick. I'm going to try the gesso methods next. Thank you for all of your different suggestions!

[@heathertroynak9041]

This is super helpful! Brand new palette is waiting for a class for this beginner painter! Off to go hack it before I hit the road on the morning! Perfect perfect perfect!

[@leslie-annepepin8927]

I’ve used the glue stick method. Toothpaste works as well.

[@ladynsearch-of-art]

Wow very cool thanks!

[@Pointebrush]

You’re welcome! Glad you liked it!

[@Angie-pl3uw]

Love the gesso application. I use the glue stick. I apply the glue, spread well with my fingers making sure all surfaces are covered, let it dry, and I’m done. The glue doesn’t affect the colors. I didn’t know about step two with the magic eraser I’m so happy I didn’t…

[@Pointebrush]

I’ve also heard that doing the same thing as the glue but with oxgall achieves the same result (without the need for the magic eraser). I say, do whatever works for you and you can get as cheaply as possible 😉

[@Angie-pl3uw]

Super! Ive used the glue stick by itself successfully, but now that I know about going over it with the magic eraser, I certainly see where that adds another good layer of protection. But the glue stick works well alone. It’s magic! Thanks for the tips.

[@dianaromig732]

Excellent advice 🎉

[@Pointebrush]

Glad it’s helpful!

[@karendirmish2696]

Amazing tip regarding pallets, I learn so much when I watch you videos! Thank you for sharing ! Karen Dirmish constant learner!

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you Karen and I applaud your open mindedness to always keep learning. It's a wonderful trait that will serve you well 👏

[@MissCarol-gb3]

Thank you

[@E4Alabbasy]

Thank you this is very helpful 😍

[@Pointebrush]

I’m so glad! Thank you for watching! 🙏

[@stevesidare2493]

Nice tips! Not many people know about these methods.

[@Pointebrush]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ms1lonewolf]

WOW Thank you very much!!!😊 I'm going out to get a glue stick and magic eraser!!! Yes ❤️. I have a brand new pallet that I just bought for my Daniel Smith paints 🎨. 😊Have a blessed day 🙏.

[@heisenberg6921]

Thank you so much for all your videos !….👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻…music also always great in your videos. By the way, isn’t that a Holbein aluminium palette which is marketed as not having the problem exactly this palette is showing (beading) ??.

[@Pointebrush]

Thank you so much! This is actually not the Holbein palette (although it looks a lot like it). It’s a much cheaper one from Amazon. From my experience, nearly all palettes bead to a certain degree unless they’re made of porcelain or ceramic. Ps. Love your username 🧪🎩🐔 or Quantum physics?

[@heisenberg6921]

😃🤣🤣🤣…yes, scientific in Brazil…came here 32 years ago, but I made a mistake, no recognition, low wages, very difficult to find work here… but…great climate, easy friends, reasonable availability of art supplies….love your videos…thank you very much fir all the love you put in that…and for the music (classic piano), my father was musician (violin) an my mother teached French at the University…so I love even your french pronunciation !!…🤣🤣👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Wish you the very best !…🤗

[@appleknocker56]

My glue stick is purple & since washing off would it work the same? Or is there staining “dye” in the purple kids glue stick 🤔? Could try it on already stained pallet to test as new one (no sink in purple) needed. Ty & magic eraser over “scrub pads” as left scratch marks 😳! Ty!!

[@awatercolourist]

Thanks so much for uploading this video! I especially liked the second part where you primed your palette. If I get access to acrylic gesso, I’m sure to try this one day 🙂

[@Pointebrush]

Glad it was helpful!! Xo!

[@blueskythefox1594]

what can you use if you dont have magic eraser though?

[@cslattfri]

Is this a plastic palette in this video or is this your enamel palette? I am thinking about getting the enamel one you mentioned in another video. I'm curious to know if I will have to do this to it.

[@Pointebrush]

Are you talking about the gouache video or the watercolor one? Either way, for most surfaces with the exception of porcelain, they would all likely benefit from this pre-treatment before getting started 👍

[@cslattfri]

@@Pointebrush it was the video on watercolor palette hacks. It looked like one of those plastic ones but it seemed too shiny and I thought it might have been your enameled palette. I couldn’t tell for sure. Thank you!

[@LadyCyr]

Easier way.... toothpaste

[@awatercolourist]

First!