Great post — I completely agree that procedural changes can be profoundly significant. One of the simplest yet most impactful procedural shifts a painter can make is to limit the palette. I’ve recently adopted this approach for plein air work, and the benefits in terms of efficiency and improved colour harmony are considerable. Also your work is wonderful!
I really enjoy these insights into your process Harry and your thinking behind them. I’m a being believer in the reduction of obstacles or friction in processes in terms of increasing the willingness and desire to engage in that process.
Thank you for this, Harry. As Alex says, “Great post.” I’m so glad to see that you are using alcohol to stave off mold. I have heard that ammonia can be used, but I just saw that hydrogen peroxide can be used, as well. Also I read that using distilled rather than tap water helps, and a mold-resistant sponge can also help. I know you say here that you would have used a shallower container, but I have used the Masterson Sta-Wet palettes before and it always seems that their shallowness allows for the paint to transfer to the lid during transport. I keep trying to figure out ways to use small, shallow cylindrical containers with lids (that can be left of but also closed if traveling distances) inside of a deeper container (about like yours) that sit on top of damp paper towels or a thin sponge with a waxed palette-type paper on top. I’ve done it before, and traveled with the containers in a checked bag on an airplane, but I took too much and it seemed so bulky. I really like your set up better! :-). Nonetheless, check out Rubbermaid’s “Brilliance” airtight Tritan (plastic-like) food containers. They are great! They are as airtight of a container as I can find.
Philosophically, your lesson in continually make small changes to grow/improve is powerful. Thank you for sharing it!
Thanks for all this, Kimberly! :) Yes, I’ve tried many things to avoid wasting acrylic paints also….with varying amounts of success. I like this method because I don’t put too much out, so even if it all messes up, I’m not out much.
Hi Kimberly. Yes, at the end of a session, or half way through a session if the paint is getting too dry, I spray water onto the paint, and then at the end of the session, just before I put the cap on the container, I spray first with a bit of water, and then with a bit of 70% alcohol….just a light spraying.
PS I meant to say that I’m happy to see that you’re using alcohol, because I’ve been needing to find something simple to use. I always intend to buy ammonia but seem to forget. Alcohol is easily available and already in my home. Problem solved. :-)
Great tip Harry. I've been using a similar method lately with my studio palette and a Materson's wet palette keeper. I exchanged the parchment paper with a glass palette and have been spritzing the top with alcohol to discourage mold. Keeps like a charm.
I've really been loving Merino Wool t-shirts these past few months. They really do control odor and can been worn for quite a long time before they even start to smell even a bit. I'll give them a go with the alcohol tip.
This is a great tip. I'm just beginning to investigate acrylics and trying to like them. This palette solves a lot of issues - I've been using a Masterson wet palette but it's cumbersome. Will try this out! I love the way the pencil line digs into the paint in the first painting.
Thanks, Hilary. There are likely lots of ways to tweak this too. I just used the best Tupperware container I could find. A bit more searching might lead to an even better one to use.
What brand of acrylics do you use? I've used Golden's Open line plein air (around here acrylics dry in minutes, the Open seems to stay workable an hour or two). But every time I've tried to use a wet palette with them they get too watery and lose surface tension overnight. It might just be something with the Open line though. Anyone else have this experience?
Yes, Harry, I noticed that your work looks different. Could just that little change make such a difference? Love these pieces! Somehow they ‘feel’ lighter! I use an old stay wet kit with a thin spongy thing under my paper…i put some essential oil mixed in my water to keep mold out and keep it smelling good! And it works for me! I like the alcohol spray idea too.
Jennine…ah cool idea! Yes, just this little change will make the work look different. In fact, I think any procedural change, however small, will make the work look different. Especially if you are working every day.
Wow, this is a great idea! I've been reluctant to work in acrylic partly because of the amount of waste and your method eliminates that daily waste, while eliminating barriers to actually painting.
Yes!!! Realizing how one works and streamlining all the aspects of getting brush to surface saves time and makes painting more enjoyable. I lay out my colours the same way every time. Helps immensely. Have everything ready-set-go so there's no interruption! Even something as simple as having your palette on your right side if right-handed is an Aha moment for new painters.
yes, and reducing even small chores which are neutral in feeling or even mildly annoying or unpleasant, keeps you coming back to the really fun stuff more often.
Great post — I completely agree that procedural changes can be profoundly significant. One of the simplest yet most impactful procedural shifts a painter can make is to limit the palette. I’ve recently adopted this approach for plein air work, and the benefits in terms of efficiency and improved colour harmony are considerable. Also your work is wonderful!
Thanks, Alex!
Thank you, Harry! Have a great weekend!
I really enjoy these insights into your process Harry and your thinking behind them. I’m a being believer in the reduction of obstacles or friction in processes in terms of increasing the willingness and desire to engage in that process.
Thanks, Matthew. Yes, more fun, fewer chores :)
How do you attach your paper to the board while you paint?
4 little pieces of painters tape rolled onto themselves....one piece in each corner, press down.
Thank you for this, Harry. As Alex says, “Great post.” I’m so glad to see that you are using alcohol to stave off mold. I have heard that ammonia can be used, but I just saw that hydrogen peroxide can be used, as well. Also I read that using distilled rather than tap water helps, and a mold-resistant sponge can also help. I know you say here that you would have used a shallower container, but I have used the Masterson Sta-Wet palettes before and it always seems that their shallowness allows for the paint to transfer to the lid during transport. I keep trying to figure out ways to use small, shallow cylindrical containers with lids (that can be left of but also closed if traveling distances) inside of a deeper container (about like yours) that sit on top of damp paper towels or a thin sponge with a waxed palette-type paper on top. I’ve done it before, and traveled with the containers in a checked bag on an airplane, but I took too much and it seemed so bulky. I really like your set up better! :-). Nonetheless, check out Rubbermaid’s “Brilliance” airtight Tritan (plastic-like) food containers. They are great! They are as airtight of a container as I can find.
Philosophically, your lesson in continually make small changes to grow/improve is powerful. Thank you for sharing it!
Thanks for all this, Kimberly! :) Yes, I’ve tried many things to avoid wasting acrylic paints also….with varying amounts of success. I like this method because I don’t put too much out, so even if it all messes up, I’m not out much.
Thank you, Harry! I’m going to try your way. It looks fun and easy! Do you spray the alcohol directly onto the paint? Do you also spray water?
Hi Kimberly. Yes, at the end of a session, or half way through a session if the paint is getting too dry, I spray water onto the paint, and then at the end of the session, just before I put the cap on the container, I spray first with a bit of water, and then with a bit of 70% alcohol….just a light spraying.
PS I meant to say that I’m happy to see that you’re using alcohol, because I’ve been needing to find something simple to use. I always intend to buy ammonia but seem to forget. Alcohol is easily available and already in my home. Problem solved. :-)
Great tip Harry. I've been using a similar method lately with my studio palette and a Materson's wet palette keeper. I exchanged the parchment paper with a glass palette and have been spritzing the top with alcohol to discourage mold. Keeps like a charm.
70% alcohol is also a great underarm spray….use that and you can throw your deodorant away :)
I've really been loving Merino Wool t-shirts these past few months. They really do control odor and can been worn for quite a long time before they even start to smell even a bit. I'll give them a go with the alcohol tip.
This is a great tip. I'm just beginning to investigate acrylics and trying to like them. This palette solves a lot of issues - I've been using a Masterson wet palette but it's cumbersome. Will try this out! I love the way the pencil line digs into the paint in the first painting.
Thanks, Hilary. There are likely lots of ways to tweak this too. I just used the best Tupperware container I could find. A bit more searching might lead to an even better one to use.
What brand of acrylics do you use? I've used Golden's Open line plein air (around here acrylics dry in minutes, the Open seems to stay workable an hour or two). But every time I've tried to use a wet palette with them they get too watery and lose surface tension overnight. It might just be something with the Open line though. Anyone else have this experience?
I use mostly Golden heavy body paints, but I mix in other brands too. For these small things, I use the acrylic quite thinly.
Yes, Harry, I noticed that your work looks different. Could just that little change make such a difference? Love these pieces! Somehow they ‘feel’ lighter! I use an old stay wet kit with a thin spongy thing under my paper…i put some essential oil mixed in my water to keep mold out and keep it smelling good! And it works for me! I like the alcohol spray idea too.
Jennine…ah cool idea! Yes, just this little change will make the work look different. In fact, I think any procedural change, however small, will make the work look different. Especially if you are working every day.
Wow, this is a great idea! I've been reluctant to work in acrylic partly because of the amount of waste and your method eliminates that daily waste, while eliminating barriers to actually painting.
Does the alcohol affect the bond of the paint film at all? If not I love this idea!
Lori, no it doesn’t seem to affect anything, but I use very small amounts of alcohol…just a bit of spray at the end of a session.
Thanks so much for your quick reply. I love your work and often share it with my students as a great example - goals!
Thanks, Lori! :)
Yes!!! Realizing how one works and streamlining all the aspects of getting brush to surface saves time and makes painting more enjoyable. I lay out my colours the same way every time. Helps immensely. Have everything ready-set-go so there's no interruption! Even something as simple as having your palette on your right side if right-handed is an Aha moment for new painters.
yes, and reducing even small chores which are neutral in feeling or even mildly annoying or unpleasant, keeps you coming back to the really fun stuff more often.