How to Make a DIY Acrylic Wet Palette from Stuff You Already Have

How to Make a DIY Acrylic Wet Palette from Stuff You Already Have


A DIY acrylic wet palette made from a clear glass dish containing a colorful paint mixture, with a text overlay at the bottom reading 'HOW TO MAKE A DIY ACRYLIC WET PALETTE (USING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS!)'.


How to Make a DIY Acrylic Wet Palette from Stuff You Already Have

If you’ve ever worked with acrylic paint, you know the frustration: you set down a gorgeous custom blend, take a short break, and return to find a rubbery skin over your paint. Acrylics dry fast—often too fast.

Buying a commercial wet palette is an option, but you don’t need to spend extra money to keep your paints usable for days (or even weeks). You can build a high-performing wet palette right now using basic household supplies you likely already have in your kitchen.

Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own DIY wet palette on a budget.

A tabletop setup showing a small amber essential oil bottle labeled 'Clove Bud' next to a blue-and-white Hello My Name Is water bottle, with handwritten notes and a clear plastic tray around them.

What You’ll Need

Essential Supplies:

  • An airtight shallow container: A Tupperware-style container, a plastic take-out tub, or a shallow meal-prep dish work best.

  • Paper towels: Standard kitchen towels create your moisture reservoir.

  • Parchment paper: Standard baking parchment acts as the semi-permeable membrane that keeps paint moist without diluting it.

  • Water: Plain tap water works, though distilled water helps prevent premature mold.

Optional (But Highly Recommended):

  • Antimicrobial essential oils: Clove, thyme, oregano, wintergreen, or lavender.

  • Scissors: Useful if you like neat edges, though folding works fine too!

    A glass paint tray containing a white sheet of parchment paper, with handwritten instructions and labels on it. The top label reads 'CLOVE OIL 1-2 DROPS TO PREVENT MILDEW.

Step-By-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prep Your Moisture Layer

Fold or trim your paper towels so they lie flat along the bottom of your container.

Step 2: Hydrate (Don't Drown) the Layer

Pour water over the paper towel until it is thoroughly wet and damp to the touch, but not floating.

The Goal: You want to create high ambient humidity inside the closed container. Over-saturating will make your acrylic paints bleed and become watery.

Step 3: Add the Mold-Shield Secret Ingredient

Add 1 to 2 drops of your chosen antimicrobial essential oil directly onto the damp paper towel.

Why? Acrylic paint, water, and dark, warm containers create a ideal environment for mildew and mold. Essential oils help stave off bacterial growth.

  • Pro Tip: Clove oil is the longest-lasting option, but it has a strong scent. If you find clove overpowering, lavender or thyme offer lighter, pleasant alternatives.

Step 4: Layer the Palette Paper

Cut or fold a sheet of parchment paper to lie flat over your wet paper towels. Smooth out any large air bubbles so the parchment sits in direct contact with the damp layer underneath.

Plop your acrylic paints on top of the parchment paper, pop the container lid on when you aren't painting, and watch your paint stay workable for days!

A clear plastic storage container with a transparent lid, shown at an angle on a paint-splattered surface. A white text label at the bottom reads, 'SCOUR YOUR HOUSE FOR OTHER SIZES OF CONTAINERS THAT MIGHT WORK (THESE HELD PARTS ORDERED FROM A BIG BOX ONLINE GIANT)' with a circular 'B.

Pro Tips for Better Palette Maintenance

  • Check Moisture Regularly: Make it a habit to check your paper towels before and after a painting session to ensure your surface remains hydrated.

  • Flatten Sheets in Advance: If your parchment paper curls, cut several sheets at once and stack them beneath a couple of heavy books so they lie flat when you need them.

  • Go White for Color Accuracy: Using white bases and parchment yields the most accurate color representation when mixing shades.




Also, I was to lazy to fix that graphic. Don't be the you/your person in the comments. The world is aflame.  

  • Rethink the Reservoir: Don't have paper towels? You can use high-density packing foam (like the kind electronics come wrapped in), clean microfiber rags, or cut-up cotton T-shirts (which can be washed and reused!).

  • Alternative Top Layers: Freezer paper or disposable palette paper are great alternatives. Scale Up: If you paint on large canvases, don't restrict yourself to small containers. Use a large baking dish or flat tray with a tight-fitting cover to give yourself room to mix!


NEXT: We'll make a glass mixing palette!

Enjoyed this tutorial? Let’s stay connected!

Creating art is better together. If you tried this DIY wet palette or found this tip helpful, I’d love to see your setup and creations!


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