Last Updated on May 11, 2023 by Dee
Imagine standing in a sunlit studio, brush in hand, ready to create your next masterpiece. The colors swirling in your mind are yearning to come alive on canvas. But wait! To truly bring your vision to life, you need the perfect acrylic painting palette. A palette is more than just a surface for mixing colors; it’s the canvas for your inspiration. With so many options on the market, it can be a daunting task to find the perfect fit.
Fear not, fellow artists! We’ve curated a list of the top 5 acrylic painting palettes, each with its own unique features, to help you unleash your creativity and elevate your artistic process. Dive in and discover the palette that will become an essential tool in your journey of self-expression.
[Related: Goauche vs. Acrylic Paint]
10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Acrylic Painting Palette
- Mixing Colors: Use your acrylic painting palette to mix and blend various colors, creating unique shades and tones for your artwork.
- Testing Color Combinations: Experiment with different color combinations on your palette to find the perfect harmony for your painting.
- Storing Excess Paint: Save excess paint on your palette for future use, reducing waste and ensuring color consistency throughout your painting.
- Creating a Color Map: Organize your palette by arranging colors in a specific order, such as by hue or value, to create a visual color map for easy reference.
- Building Texture: Use the flat surface of your palette to mix and build texture with acrylic mediums, such as gels and pastes, before applying them to your canvas.
- Palette Knife Painting: Try using a palette knife to apply paint directly from your palette to your canvas, creating bold strokes, thick textures, and unique effects.
- Wet-on-Wet Technique: Keep your acrylics moist on the palette by misting them with water, allowing you to explore wet-on-wet techniques and create smooth color transitions.
- Glazing: Mix transparent acrylic glazes on your palette to create depth and luminosity in your painting through multiple layers.
- Color Gradients: Create smooth color gradients on your palette by gradually mixing two or more colors, then apply them to your canvas for seamless transitions.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Regularly clean your acrylic painting palette to prevent dried paint build-up and ensure a fresh, organized workspace for your next painting session.
Best Acrylic Painting Palettes
As an artist, I know how important it is to have the right tools to bring my vision to life. One of the most essential tools in my arsenal is the acrylic painting palette. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, having a good quality palette can make all the difference in your work.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of the best acrylic painting palettes on the market. These palettes are not only durable and functional, but they also come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your individual needs. So, let’s dive in and find the perfect palette for you!
Sweaty Pony Acrylic Painting Palette
If you’re looking for a versatile and portable acrylic painting palette, the Sweaty Pony Acrylic Painting Palette is a great option.
Pros
- Comes in 4 different sizes and shapes to suit your needs
- Highly transparent, allowing you to see your colors clearly from any angle
- Non-stick and easy to clean, mimicking the glass surface for easier cleaning
Cons
- The oval shape may break off with frequent use
- May stain after heavy use and cleaning
- Not as sturdy as traditional glass palettes
I recently used the Sweaty Pony Acrylic Painting Palette for a painting project and found it to be a great addition to my painting supplies. The four different sizes and shapes are incredibly convenient, making it easy to switch between different colors and techniques without having to constantly clean and switch out palettes.
The highly transparent surface of the palette is also a great feature, allowing me to see my colors clearly and accurately. I was also pleased with how easy it was to clean the palette, with most of the paint washing off easily with water.
However, I did notice that the oval shape of the palette may be prone to breaking off with frequent use, so it may not be the most durable option for heavy use.
Additionally, after multiple uses and cleanings, I did notice some staining on the palette, which may be a concern for some artists. Finally, while the Sweaty Pony Acrylic Painting Palette mimics the surface of glass for easier cleaning, it may not be as sturdy as traditional glass palettes, which may be a concern for some artists.
Overall, I would recommend the Sweaty Pony Acrylic Painting Palette to any artist looking for a versatile and portable option for their acrylic painting needs. With its multiple sizes and shapes, highly transparent surface, and easy-to-clean design, it’s a great addition to any artist’s toolkit.
Hulameda Paint Tray Palettes
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and versatile paint palette, the Hulameda Paint Tray Palettes are a great option.
Pros
- This plastic palette is high quality, sturdy, and durable.
- The 12 wells and 1 central reservoir are perfect for separating or mixing pigments.
- The palettes are small and lightweight, making them easy to hold and wash off quickly after painting.
Cons
- The wells are somewhat shallow, so they may not hold as much paint as some artists prefer.
- The plastic may not be as thick as some other palettes on the market, so they may not be as durable in the long run.
- The palettes may not be suitable for professional artists who require larger or more complex palettes.
Overall, the Hulameda Paint Tray Palettes are a great choice for beginner or hobbyist artists who want a simple and affordable palette for their acrylic paints. They’re also a fun addition to art parties or school projects for kids.
The paint tray palette is made of sturdy plastic but light enough to hold in hands, especially for kids. The plastic art palettes can be stacked together, saving spaces of your room, and are easy to carry and ideal for travel.
You can use the paint trays decorate cupcakes or candies when you would like to make a birthday art party for your lovely kids. The paint tray palettes are easily to be stacked together and convenient to storage, save space. Wherever you go, you can take them with you.
While the wells may be somewhat shallow, they’re still perfect for small projects or for mixing small amounts of paint. This plastic palette is also easy to clean and can be reused multiple times. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and versatile plastic palette, the Hulameda Paint Tray Palettes are definitely worth considering.
Tamaki 2 Pack Acrylic Paint Palette
If you’re looking for a reliable and versatile acrylic painting palette, Tamaki’s 2 Pack Acrylic Paint Palette is definitely worth checking out.
Pros
- Highly transparent crystal clear painting palette, the color is clear to stimulate the inspiration of the painting.
- Easy to clean and reusable. The smooth surface and edges make it comfortable to use.
- Comes in two different sizes and shapes, making it easy to carry around and suitable for everyone.
Cons
- It can be difficult to peel off the protective layer at the beginning, which can scratch the palette.
- The palettes may scratch and cloud up quickly depending on your cleaning method.
- The oval palette may be too small for some users.
I recently used Tamaki’s 2 Pack Acrylic Paint Palette for a painting project and was impressed with its quality and versatility.
The highly transparent crystal clear paint palette made it easy to see the colors and mix them to create the perfect shade. The smooth surface and edges made it comfortable to use, and cleaning it was a breeze.
The two different sizes and shapes make it perfect for artists on the go, and it’s suitable for everyone, from students to professional painters.
However, I did find it difficult to peel off the protective layer at the beginning, and it ended up scratching the palette.
Additionally, the palettes may scratch and cloud up quickly depending on your cleaning method, and the oval palette may be too small for some users.
Overall, I would highly recommend Tamaki’s 2 Pack Acrylic Paint Palette for acrylic painters and anyone looking for a reliable and versatile acrylic painting palette.
SEONHOKEEN Acrylic Paint Palette Set
If you’re looking for an affordable and versatile acrylic paint palette set, the SEONHOKEEN Acrylic Paint Palette Set is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- Comes with three different sizes and shapes to meet your different needs and creative inspiration.
- Easy to use and clean, thanks to the high-quality transparent acrylic material and smooth surface and edge.
- Widely used for all kinds of pigments and artistic creations, perfect for beginners, painting lovers, artisans, and professional painters.
Cons
- The protective paper on both sides can be a bit difficult to remove, so be careful when peeling it off.
- The palette may be a bit too lightweight and flimsy for some users, so be sure to handle it with care.
- The edges of the palette may have some scratches or imperfections, but they won’t affect the overall performance.
As someone who loves to paint and experiment with different colors and techniques, I was excited to try out the SEONHOKEEN Acrylic Paint Palette Set. I was impressed by the high transparency of the palettes, which allowed me to see the colors more clearly and blend them more intuitively.
The gold curve was also smoother than I expected, making it easier to mix the colors evenly. I also appreciated the fact that the edges were polished without hurting my hands, and the palettes were suitable for both left-handed and right-handed people.
Another great thing about this palette set is that it comes with three different sizes and shapes, so I could choose the one that best suited my needs and preferences.
The rectangular palette was great for larger paintings, while the oval palettes were perfect for smaller and more detailed work. And when I was done painting, cleaning the palettes was a breeze, thanks to the fine surface that was super silky smooth and easy to wipe off.
Overall, I think the SEONHOKEEN Acrylic Paint Palette Set is a great choice for anyone who wants to get creative with acrylic painting. It’s affordable, versatile, and easy to use and clean, making it perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike. So if you’re looking for a reliable and high-quality acrylic paint palette set, be sure to check this one out!
SweatyPony 20-Well Paint Tray Palette
If you’re looking for a versatile paint palette that offers plenty of mixing space, the SweatyPony 20-Well Paint Tray Palette is a great option.
Pros
- The palette is large, measuring 13 x 10 inches, which offers plenty of space to mix paint
- The 20 paint wells come in different sizes and shapes, which is perfect for mixing lots of colors
- The palette is made from a sturdy, white plastic material that is easy to clean and very durable
Cons
- The plastic material can cause paint to bead up, which may not be ideal for some types of painting
- Some users have reported that the larger paint wells are too big for their needs
- The palette is quite large, which may not be convenient for artists who need a more compact option
In my experience, the SweatyPony 20-Well Paint Tray Palette is a great choice for artists who need plenty of mixing space and a durable, easy-to-clean surface. The plastic material can cause some issues with paint beading up, but overall, this is a reliable and versatile palette that is well worth considering.
One of the things I love about this palette is how easy it is to hold and carry. It weighs just 0.35lb, which means you can easily grasp it with one hand or place it on a tabletop without any trouble. It’s also very portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
Another benefit of the SweatyPony 20-Well Paint Tray Palette is how easy it is to clean. You can simply wash it with water, making it a great option for artists who want to spend more time painting and less time cleaning up.
Overall, I would highly recommend the SweatyPony 20-Well Paint Tray Palette to anyone who needs a large, versatile paint palette that is easy to clean and very durable. Whether you’re a professional artist or a beginner, this is a great option that is sure to meet your needs.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best acrylic painting palette, there are a few things that you should consider to ensure that you get the right product for your needs.
Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Material
One of the most important things to consider when choosing an acrylic painting palette is the material it is made of. Some popular options include plastic, glass, and wood. Plastic palettes are lightweight and easy to clean, while glass palettes are durable and allow you to see the true colors of your paints.
Wood palettes are also a good option, but they require more maintenance and can be more expensive. You can also buy palette paper in a palette pad. This is a great option for an acrylic palette, however, I find I use these quite quickly and they are therefor less economical than plastic acrylic palettes.
Size
The size of your palette will depend on your personal preferences and the size of your paintings. If you work on large canvases, you may want to choose a larger palette to accommodate more paint. However, if you work on smaller pieces, a smaller palette may be more appropriate.
Shape
Palettes come in a variety of shapes, including rectangular, oval, and kidney-shaped. The shape you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the type of painting you are working on. Rectangular palettes are great for mixing large amounts of paint, while oval and kidney-shaped palettes are better for smaller amounts of paint and more detailed work.
Number of Wells
The number of wells on your palette will depend on the number of colors you use in your paintings. If you use a lot of colors, you may want to choose a palette with more wells to keep your colors separate. However, if you only use a few colors, a palette with fewer wells may be more appropriate.
Cover
Some palettes come with a cover, which can be useful for keeping your paints moist and preventing them from drying out. If you plan on working on a painting over a long period of time, a palette with a cover may be a good investment. You can also carefully cover your wet paint with plastic wrap so prevent the paints from drying out. (Also, its handy to have a spray bottle nearby when you start painting).
Cleaning
Finally, it is important to consider how easy the palette is to clean. Look for a palette that can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth or paper towel. Avoid palettes with hard-to-reach corners or crevices that can trap paint and make cleaning difficult.
Ok, so now that we’ve looked at five different acrylic painting palettes that can help you create amazing art, remember that it’s important to choose the acrylic painting palette that feels right for you and supports your creativity. By the way, these palettes are also great if you are using Gouache Paint. Read my article on Gouache vs Acrylic Paint for more info!
Happy painting!
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