During my trip up to the Pacific Northwest, the question I got over and over again at almost every single group I spoke to was about proper disposal and clean up of acrylic paint.
Here’s a video I made showing precisely that:
My favorite part is watching the paint pucker up and peel up in a sheet. Watch for my tip at the end for how to dispose of all those palette scrapings in a way that won’t hurt the environment OR your plumbing.
Any thoughts of your own? Questions? Please leave them in the comments section directly below the video so everyone can benefit!
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for this video. I’ve never used my trays like this. Is it okay to throw away the sheets of dried acrylic in the trash? Also I can’t wait for your video on how to collage the sheets! A friend recently told me about tar gel medium and how to make sheets of color with it, but I have not delved in yet.
Peace,
Katy
It contains the information.
Great tips for me as a newbie to painting. Thanks a lot. All these tips seem to inspire
So glad this was helpful, David!
Great Tips! I participate in ATC exchanges, and with palettes that are at the end of their usefulness, I’ve cut them up and incorporated them into ATC cards. The cards measure 3.5″ by 2.5″, so when you cut up the palatte, you get very cool patterns / color mixes.
Nice reuse tip!
That’s a great idea. But I use the paper palettes with the sponge underneath to keep my paints moist while painting, not just for cleanup ease. If you use the butcher tray palette, how do you keep your paints moist during painting? (I live in the high desert of Northern Nevada where our average humidity is 20-30% on a good day, single digits on many other days.) Also, do you just throw the dried paint in the trash now, just like I would my paper liner?
Makes sense, Cindy! I’m right near the bay so there’s always plenty of moisture in the air. I’ve had people here tell me they it mold in the sponge palettes but they are obviously perfect for dry climates!
I use plastic cupcake style palettes, since I use fluid paint, and augment these with tin cans and sealable plastic containers for mixing particular color I want to have around. Yes, I use dog food cans– just like Joan Mitchell….
Well I learned something new about Joan Mitchell – and YOU! Not having a dog I’d have to use cat food cans. : )
Here’s a shot of her use of “Loyal Dog Food” cans:
I find cans are really good for when you want to mix a lot of a color.
https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/88FAcWvDGCbFEFRGZDXdPg–/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9MTEwMDtxPTk1O3c9NzM2/http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a6/22/82/a622820ff6c7d388e89f1b3a2700e4c9.jpg
Fun picture! I like to consistency of all the red cans all lined up.