What's the best watercolour palette?

Watercolour palettes come in all shapes, sizes and materials - ceramic, plastic, metal. You can get separate mixing palettes or you can get ones that integrate storage and a mixing area. But what should you take into consideration when you choose the perfect palette for yourself
Spoiler alert - there is no such thing as a perfect palette for everyone!
So, first decide what you need it to do and where you usually paint. Then consider your budget and look at the pros and cons of the different materials. This film takes you through all the factors and should help you decide the best way forward.
I mention that Meeden make beautiful ceramic palettes. They haven't sponsored this film!! But you can get 10% off using the code Liz10. These are affiliate links:
Official Website
meedenart.com?sca_ref=3687517.WIMJFLNH9d
➢ [MEEDEN Watercolor Painting Set] - meedenart.com/collections/wat...
➢ [Artist Birch Wood Canvas Board] - meedenart.com/collections/can...
➢ [MEEDEN Large Artist Porcelain Ceramic Palette] - meedenart.com/products/ltcp-m...
➢ [MEEDEN Studio Porcelain Watercolor Paint Palette] - meedenart.com/collections/pal...
➢ [MEEDEN 12-Well Ceramic Paint Palette] - meedenart.com/collections/pal...
This code can be used against any product, not just the palettes. You will find they have different stock in different countries and currently only offer free shipping to US, UK, Canada and Australia.
This film gives you some ideas of how to stop your plastic palette beading up: • How to stop paint bead...
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If you want to have more in depth courses please head over to www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk. I also run a friendly Facebook group: / watercolourstudiowithl... .
#lizchaderton #watercolourpalette #watercolorpalette

[@xSugarHighDD]

For painting outside or urban sketchers, I think metal is the way to go if you want nothing broken in your bag. For inside painting, I prefer ceramic.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I agree!

[@vincefenton]

Sorry, but you’re brilliant ☺️. I’ve been painting in watercolours for 50 + years and I’ve found that you consistently impart the best advice. You’re so down to earth, yet simultaneously give really good advice to advance one’s art - thank you. ☺️

[@LizChadertonArt]

Oh thank you! That is such a lovely comment ☺️

[@esilabet]

Corelle bowls and dishes, they are really the best. All the advantages of ceramics + they are very sturdy yet thin and lightweight. No staining, no beeding, bright white. I use them with any media. If you find them in a garage sell or something like that, get them all. that stuff is magic.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I had to Google Corelli. I’d never heard of it! Sounds good

[@francinetjones1814]

Corelle, Corning brand of dishes (back when they made dishes). Sold name to other companies years ago. Corning now a diverse technology company, automative, science for pharma, etc.

[@sandradonofrio413]

Very helpful. I love ceramic palettes.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Me too!!

[@michelleosmond4356]

I got a tip from someone to use a magic eraser sponge on new pallets, and then they done bead up😉🥰

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes, that helps!

[@atelierthhun1165]

I agree. Metal for travel and ceramic for studio use suit me best too. I use the Mijello Fusion 18 for keeping brands separate or for seasonal palettes and have taken them to classes. I've accumulated six so far and recommend them as the most hard-wearing , well made and practical of all the plastic ones I've tried and aren't too expensive. I've cut myself on the cheapest plastic fold out ones which also leak nastily so would caution against them as a false economy.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Great advice!

[@moniquerushinglynch]

A big ole howdy from Texas! 🤠 So pleased to find your channel - love seeing your beautiful artwork and hearing your helpful tips. May your paintbrush never run dry!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@LJP2112]

Thank you Liz. I’m sorting out an assortment of palettes that I’ve been given/ bought / acquired. I need to establish what suits me as an absolute beginner and that goes for choosing what colours too (I got completely overwhelmed by a tutor who had very strong feelings about what a student should or shouldn’t use!) Thank you x

[@LizChadertonArt]

keep the colours simple.. a warm and cool red/yellow/blue, maybe a burnt Sienna or umber and a treat or convenience colour too (like sap green or violet) and you should be good to go 😁 But you will end up with loads as they are all so beautiful…just don’t use loads in the same painting

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Yes I agree that there is no perfect palette except for the individual artist’s needs. I love all the different types & currently have more metal than the others. I also have a wooden palette with homemade colors that closes with magnets, The Art of Soil brand. It definitely depends on what subjects & where I will be painting as to which type of palette I use. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us.

[@LizChadertonArt]

ooh I don’t have wooden ones (off to Google)

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

@@LizChadertonArt 😁Happy Hunting!

[@petershoesmith3953]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@beedee4427]

Yup, they come in all shapes and sizes and I've got every single one of them and then some 😂. But seriously, I started with plastic and now I'm gradually collecting every single ceramic palette I see. I just can't resist. I'm even thinking of making my own with the air dry ceramics you can buy from the craft stores. I've been watching tutorials and I figure that way, I get the absolute perfect palette! All the best

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have you seen the Meeden range, I was so excited…my husband doesn’t understand! I’ve seen people making their own, but never tried it.

[@user-sd2jb1gg4w]

Really helpful information!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisathaviu1154]

This was a good and helpful video. I too, prefer a limited palette. I guess I’ve learned to ignore the staining, but it would be nice to have a truly mobile ceramic palette. I love my little Meeden palette but it broke in my backpack. I use old plates more often than not.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisathaviu1154]

This was a good and helpful video. I too, prefer a limited palette. I guess I’ve learned to ignore the staining, but it would be nice to have a truly mobile ceramic palette. I love my little Meeden palette but it broke in my backpack.

[@LizChadertonArt]

sad about your meeden palette

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Liz, I have all of these kinds of palettes! You explained the pro’s and con’s quite well! I use Crest toothpaste for cleaning my plastic palette’s before use, it does help with beading and it can help the staining when used with a magic eraser for cleaning mixing areas. I do have the most metal palettes at present. I have a stack of plates from the local thrift store. So when they get dropped I am not out a lot of money as they only cost very little usually pennies on the dollar! Best advice?nUse a wide range of types and it is Ok to have a different choice depending upon the painting situation!

[@LizChadertonArt]

absolutely! understand the pros and cons and choose the best for you ( or the first one you can find 😂)

[@charliefoxtrot6017]

A drop or two of olive oil removes nearly all staining. Just wash palette with detergent afterwards.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@charliefoxtrot6017 sadly I’ve tried that and nothing is shifting these stains!

[@artwhat..]

LC..you answered all the questions,now I don't know what to say😎

[@LizChadertonArt]

🤩

[@jrm2716]

😢I love thrifting for finding items to use as palettes at home. I prefer plastic palettes for on the go with particular colors but also enjoy the metal palettes because I can exchange the colors within that palette. they all have their uses. Btw I keep my palettes 'dirty'. I use the 'mud' for studies. tfs.

[@LizChadertonArt]

A little dirt never hurt anyone!

[@charliefoxtrot6017]

I’m cleaning palettes less frequently as sometimes there’s a mixed colour I like … and it’s a waste of paint. But if I do clean and have stains? A drop or two of olive oil rubbed on area then wash with detergent to remove oil.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@charliefoxtrot6017 thank you for the tip, but I’ve tried that and nothing shifts these stains!

[@Parkook]

Thank you Liz for an amazing video as always.🤩🙏🏽 Do you have any advice for a watercolour artist with Colour deficiency (Protanopia)? What is the best way to get close to the original colour?

[@LizChadertonArt]

I recently did a painting for someone with severe red/green colour blindness. I checked out which colours he could pick up and concentrated on those with strong tonal contrast. what you could do if colour matching is important is to do mixes and swatches with another artist and fine tune your colours noting the mix. Or you can concentrate on tone only and make tge colour distortion central to your work. I was with an artist this weekend and she has macular degeneration. Her work is all about capturing the distortion she sees….

[@Parkook]

@@LizChadertonArt Thank you for your quick reply🙏🏽

[@ladyinblack3398]

Metal ones are not breakable, but they can bend, and then the lid will not close properly anymore.

[@LizChadertonArt]

that’s true

[@charliefoxtrot6017]

Stains are almost totally removed from any palette … plastic, metal or ceramic with a drop or two of olive oil & paper towel. Just clean with detergent to remove oil.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Great tip! I have tried that and it didn’t work on these stains….

[@annepercival7814]

Which brand is the plastic palette you showed with two rows of about 20 empty squares to add your own paint?

[@LizChadertonArt]

I wouldn’t recommend it, but it’s made by a company called Dennci.

[@annepercival7814]

@@LizChadertonArt Thankyou. I just thought it might be useful to carry several colours on holiday…I usually take two smaller palettes..one for essentials and the other for colours used less often

[@LizChadertonArt]

If it works for you, that’s great. I find it a bit flimsy. There are all sorts available on Amazon or Temu. @@annepercival7814 if it’s for travelling, one with a seal might work: www.temu.com/goods.html?_bg_fs=1&goods_id=601099515946708&_x_sessn_id=36e2ugbm1a&refer_page_name=bgt_order_detail&refer_page_id=10045_1693045594084_j0sbctokac&refer_page_sn=10045

[@karenknight9731]

Definitely not a perfect palette. Personally I prefer a metal one as it’s easier to keep clean. I like an empty folding palette yo squeeze my paints into.

[@LizChadertonArt]

exactly…perfect for you 😊

[@ladyinblack3398]

I don't like plastic anything.

[@LizChadertonArt]

hard to avoid …..

[@lisapounder1950]

Hi Liz I have a metal palette that I squeezed paint into from tubes,and when the paints dried,they cracked and fell out of the palette.Can you tell me why this happened and how to stop it happening again.. thanks Lisa

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hi Lisa, I can think of a couple of possibilities. The tin is enameled and that is super smooth, so the paint cannot grip. If it is the sort of paint which dries really hard then it contracts and the blob will fall off. If the tin is flexible/thinner this might cause it too. You could use paint with a higher honey content like Sennelier or M Graham, as it always stays a bit moist. You could put paint in plastic half pans and stick those into the the tin (or put self adhesive magnets on the bottom to keep them in place)

[@lisapounder1950]

@@LizChadertonArt Thank you for your reply