Setting Up A Watercolour Palette - Limited Palette: My Journey

[@Rachelsjourney]

As so many others have said, this is a very helpful video. I am new to watercolor and new to art - started this past year. I found Jane's blog early on and set myself up with a limited palette. I have learned a lot about mixing, but also became discouraged with mixing time while following along with tutorials (a lot of pausing a mixing). I also found that I didn't always like the greens I was getting from my blues. And I don't even know what subject matter or style I want to paint. So now, a year later and with a bonus from work, I just bought a bunch of new colors even though I felt like I was doing something bad or wrong. But I told myself that this is part of the journey...finding my colors, finding out who I am as an artist. Eventually, I would like to get back to a limited palette, but for now I'm going to play and experiment. Thank you for helping feel okay with that decision!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Glad to help and glad you can enjoy the journey. I’m sure the process of refining and rediscovering will continue along the way.

[@AmazinGraceXOXO1]

I wish I could like this video a hundred times over. This resonated with every part of my being. Especially when you had to ask yourself the question “ who am I?” Im at that fork in the road right now. Where as much as I want to be “ professional” and do things everyone else is doing, I also have to be realistic and admit that we are all different. We paint different , and we think different. And that’s the beauty of it. Im trying to embrace myself for what I am and what I create, while simultaneously appreciating other artist’s styles and not feeling the pressure of following suit. Great video!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks so much! I’m glad it helped. And yes, I totally feel that. I think probably we all (those who aren’t quite “professional”) feel that to a certain extent, and it’s refreshing to know we’re not alone in that either. It’s super encouraging to know others are on the journey too and feeling the same pulls in different directions.

[@mauriciovarguez832]

Thanks for this video, helped me a lot to have more clarity on how to arrange my palette, so much color options, made me have headache.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Glad it helped. I feel I could probably go back and consolidate more as well.

[@andifisaid]

Your explanation why to stick to single pigment colors finally made it clear to me! Thank you! I had never heard anyone say it like that before!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Glad it helped! I forget who explained it to me that way, but it’s been very helpful.

[@NancyTipton-u8e]

Wonderful info. Thank you for sharing your journey to your limited palette. I have come to love Daniel Smith watercolors and have the right number of colors in my current palette but I am having a difficult time placing them in a useful order so you have helped me a lot in thinking about that. Thank you for sharing.😊

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

So glad I could help!

[@dannychen1064]

one good idea I learned from Liz is that she uses 2 half pans of the same yellow, one for mixing green and one for pure yellow or mixing with red, which will keep one half pan clean. So if you have only one yellow, you might want to consider that :) Thanks for the useful questions. I've been so hung up on what the 'perfect limited palette" is that has the perfect mixing ability. Now I can put in the colors that I really like!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Ya, I’ve seen her do that on some of her palettes. So smart. I may try that with my revamp of my smaller palette.

[@leonora5]

Fantastic video - I have learned so much!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

I’m so glad! 😁

[@SUSSDUE]

Thank you for this video! I have been painting watercolour for a bit more than ten years and your setting of a pallet is the smartest I have seen! I always sort of go by the colour wheel and always get green and earth colours mixed w the others. To do it your way w yellow in the middle and red on the warm side and blue on the cool side the other opposite row w turquoise, green and earth colours is brilliant! Much easier to see how to mix the three primaries and also so much easier to not ” forget” the earths. I will rearrange some of my own pallets the same way and see how it suits me( yes, I have to confess being a ” perhaps this pallet could suit me better”-hoarder and have loads of different ones in small metal cigarr tins .. In ten years of painting I have bought far too many paints..) When I started out in wc painting I was a bit taken aback by some course leaders rather strict way of regarding which colours to use. Some forbade the use of ready mixed greens ( I do botanical painting) others forbade the use of any paint w black in it ( as the gourgeous Perylene Green) and others just said ” use what you like”. Very confusing. I think your way of going by the warm -cool of every big colour group and then add on with whatever colour you like is the right way to go for a good foundation into your own paintingstyle! Glad to have found your channel! Congratulations to becoming a dad, you certainly will have your days filled😉! And advise from a parent ( me) that did a huge mistake-when my daughter was three and wanted to paint I did a huge mistake and bought her one of those cheap kids set w stone hard paints and hopeless brushes-don’t make my mistake w your son-give him proper paints and good brushes even as a toddler! To let him see how soft paint just flows on the paper ( and elsewhere… )will be such a joy compared to frustrated tears when trying to get som paint from rock hard paint. It took me several years to realise my mistake, thankfully the urge to create was still there for my daughter( now at art school) but it could as easily have been quenched by those cheap kid sets I gave her….

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. I confess I have a palette obsession too, but have mostly kept it to window shopping/virtual window shopping, which has helped me stick with more or less the essentials. I appreciate the advice about the kids paints too! I hadn’t even thought about that and I am definitely excited for him to get into trying some painting, and I’ll definitely make sure to get some decent paints and brushes for that. Again, thanks for your comments. It’s such and encouragement to me to hear, and I so appreciate the affirmation.

[@jeeneguerra4122]

amazing! I've been a person who dabbles in art starting with acrylics in 1982-ish. progressed to oils for quite a few years. then almost 4 years ago started with watercolors. at this point I realized mixing colors & knowing warm/cool colors are NOT my strong points. the individual who started me in watercolor is an amazing artist but because of my background did not take me step by step in learning this new medium. I am still searching your question "who am I"? The artists I follow have their own styles & encourage their viewers to seek the answer to that #1 question of WHO I AM! a continual learning process. thank you for your video that I just "happened to click" on this morning.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks! Glad it could be a help! And all the best on the journey of discovering who you are as an artist! I’m certainly not there. Peace be the journey.

[@arleighbarley]

Thank you for the pep talk!

[@anidaralopez5676]

This was SO helpful in taking the pressure off! Thank you! Trying to make a decision on colors, pan or tube, brand, etc. Not feeling bad because I want MORE colors (if I can afford them) is very freeing. Appreciate your insight and share!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

So glad it was helpful! Yes, at the end of the day, I feel it’s always best to err on the side of following your heart when it comes to colours and supplies, and giving yourself the freedom to do what you want and have fun.

[@thessaf.1012]

As a beginner to watercolor and painting in general, this video was very helpful. Thank you so much!!!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Glad it could help! Thanks!

[@kaboomsihal1164]

Always know what your mixing colors are and what your convenience colors are. You might be the type of person who hates using convenience mixes and prefers to mix everything from primaries. Or you might be the person who has a couple of primaries in the palette and then 12 convenience mixes. Hell you might even make your own convenience mixes. But know why a color is on your palette. Is it there because it's a good base color to start mixing from (i.e. ideally single pigment, good qualities for mixing, not too opaque, not too overwhelming in mixes etc) or is it there because it makes your process easier and gives you easy access to a color you just like but don't need to adjust too much? Helps a lot to know at least that about your palette. Also one thing I would always recommend that's really helped me from the get go is having one big "home" palette where pretty much all of your colors live. I used a 48 pan one and took the rails out so it has wayyyy more space than I even have colors. Every color I have goes in that palette. So if I'm doing something like that workshop he's talking about or I'm at home and just think "oh I'd love to add this color right now that's not on this palette" I just need to grab my big one and have all my colors ready to go there. That way I always have that option but without having to cramp the palette I actually normally use day to day or having to decide if it's worth adding without trying it out. I can just switch it in for a little while or use it from the big palette for a while and see if it's worth adding to my small palette or not.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Great ideas! Totally agree with knowing why you have a colour on your palette and what’s it is there for. Not sure I have the patience/wallet to have a home palette like that. I like the idea, but my budget from the start pushed me into being more streamlined with my choices, because I wanted to get professional tubes, but couldn’t afford to try everything. So… a lot of research and some trial and error later - I had my palette. I do have a larger palette though and then my travel one. The large one isn’t anywhere near 48 pans but it does let me have some colours that wouldn’t fit on my travel one. Still great ideas though.

[@paulfogarty7724]

I have about 4 blues too. The thing about blues is you can't really mix them from one or two that you might have. They're all very different. I have Thalo blue, Cobalt, French ultra, and Cerulian. Though I tend to lean more on Cobalt and Thalo. If I had to loose one it would probably be Cerulian.

[@BoBnfishy]

I had two thoughts while watching this video. The first one was that full pans are optimal. I tried half pans for a little bit but they were so frustrating because I kept feeling like I was sticking my brush straight down into it and that didn't feel good to me. The second is that for me, painting is very much a hobby. I understand the need to maintain a level of professionalism if you are a professional artist but I picked up watercolors because it was fun, and I personally have more fun when I have lots of different colors to play with.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Great thoughts. Absolutely. I’m all about fun over professionalism. If it doesn’t give you joy, it’s not worth doing. (That doesn’t apply with all things in life, but with watercolours that’s very much how I feel).

[@SusanSharpe-b4n]

This was so very very helpful. Thank you so much. I’m trying to find what I really like and who am I…..in my painting. Excellent video.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thank you! Glad it could help

[@lindathaxton1994]

Amen - nice to get past the must do thing & do what works for me! Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@juliec.]

This a fantastic video. Very very helpful. Thank you 👍👍

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

I’m so glad! Thanks!

[@ellyzacampo5726]

Helpful video! I am in the process of planning to assemble a limited palette to bring to college since as much as possible I don't really wanna bring all my paints, and to keep it portable so I can paint mostly anywhere. Good to know and reassuring that I can have my 5 blues if I wanted to 🤣 I really am quite the blue fanatic!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Glad to hear of a fellow lover of blue! 🙌 All the best on assembling, and I hope college goes well!

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

You might like the 18 half pab pallette from schmincke, available empty from Wet Paint, it is just a little larger and allows for alot of mixable colors. Also the first lid that goes down has square " dents" for small mixing purposes. It also balances well in my hand. I take the tray out , cut a piece of clear package plastic , stick my full, half and 1/4 pans and the entire thing comes out , leaving me more mixing room while in the field. ...its my go to palette even sometimes in the studio. ( i also need more than 1 yellow and 4 blues...they mix so very different and cerelium

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Oops spelling...cerulean is necessary for sky in my area ( upstate NY) and I found it great near ocean in Ireland.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Pps...it balances better than the 24 long pallet like your new one.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Cool! Sounds great! I’ll look into it.

[@lindathaxton1994]

Really appreciate this video - I am in the middle of making 2 pallets - home & plain aire & I use Daniel Smith paints! Thank you for sharing!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks!

[@65sunnyday]

Thank you. Please keep your comments coming - very interesting and informative! Subscribed

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks!

[@Diane_McDon]

I’m at “that place “ in my watercolor journey . You’re insightful was very helpful.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Glad to help!

[@lorijones9579]

I love Daniel Smith's Isoindoline Yellow. It's a rich warm yellow that washes out to a gorgeous pale peach. I don't care if I "need" it or not. It's on my palette!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

I’ll have to check it out! It sounds beautiful. I have some dot cards to try when I get back home.

[@lorijones9579]

@@JoshWileyPaintings I think you'll love it.

[@yvonnemanuel3047]

🇨🇦 Really enjoyed this informative video……love to see more on your limited pallet mixing. I am currently organizing a travel pallet from MM Studios but it’s hard to decide from a 24 pallet down to just 6 colours

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Glad you enjoyed it! Wow, yes, 6 colours is a whole other level of limited, and another level of sacrifice 😀. I'm not sure I'd want to go that limited, but it's really interesting thinking about which colours I would keep if I did. I may do some thinking about that... As soon as I finished my new palette I was already planning how to de-clutter/minimize my older smaller palette to make it more efficient.😂

[@hardybeverly]

I learned a lot from your video, thank you!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

So glad

[@Bonnie-wu1uh]

Your perspective was really enlightening. I hear many points about what colors people have in their palette but never why. I also agreed with so many of your points! Thank you for spending the time on this. You mentioned taking a workshop but I don’t know the name spelling. Can you provide it? I’m always looking for new inspiration

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Glad to hear it! Yes, I definitely wish I could hear more about why different artists keep/use the colours they do. For my workshop… it was with Amit Kapoor through French Escapade. They have live workshops and recorded (I believe). Had a great experience with Amit.

[@pedro4lola640]

Thanks for teaching me those metal rails come out so easily!

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

No problem! I was surprised how easy it was the first time. 🙂

[@catbraunwell6450]

Helpful. Thank you!😊

[@Sadin15]

Welcome to Pakistan! I miss my homeland. I hope it's been kind to you.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

It has. Thanks. We’re loving Lahore.

[@pattyleib]

Super helpful! Thanks for sharing

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks, Patty! That means a lot. Glad it was helpful

[@PaintinHiding]

thanks for sharing your process with us, it was cool to hear how you process. i have the same galaxy palette, lovely isn't it :D looking forward to future content from you, subscribed :)

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks so much. Glad your enjoyed. The palette is very pretty. I’m enjoying it a lot.

[@RinN3-.]

I agree completely ✌🏼good advice 🙏 🎨

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks so much!!

[@patfoley4888]

Can you tell can you tell me where or who put out that blue pallet that you showed I'm looking all over for it mine is in yellow and I don't remember who I bought it from can you tell me where you bought the blue one I think mine is Winsor Newton but I can't be sure

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

@@patfoley4888 it’s MEEDEN. I found mine on Amazon.

[@jeeneguerra4122]

I noticed you had pans in your palette but you also had tubes of paint. Do you fill the pans with paint from the tubes?

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Sorry I totally missed this question! Yes, I buy pans from Amazon and then fill them with tubes.

[@peterbrown7131]

Great video I learnt a lot

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks! I’m so glad. Glad it was helpful.

[@anjalianand6253]

Thanks well explained. And Happy New Year !

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Thanks! You too!

[@lindathaxton1994]

Thank you for sharing

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

My pleasure!

[@gillinacook1477]

Or you could put magnets on the bottom of each pan. 😊

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

Yes! I’ve even seen some palettes on Amazon with adhesive magnets on the back of the pans. Seems like a nice setup.

[@jomcevoy9329]

Or removeable glue dots.

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

@@jomcevoy9329 true. I’ve never used those before.

[@mrart4276]

You live in pakistan?

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

@@mrart4276 I do! Teaching at an international school.

[@mudrarakshasa]

Who "moves" to pehkistehn? 🤣🤣

[@JoshWileyPaintings]

People who want to be here. Like me😁

[@pathwithin8856]

That all seems quite irrational, I would question your reasoning on every level. I understand why you’re saying theses things, but question everything again. Sorry ❤