UPDATED (ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MAY 20, 2020 4:36 PM)
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Watercolors are meant to be mixed. While many watercolor sets have flip tops that can serve as mixing wells, a separate palette opens up another world of rainbow possibilities. A watercolor palette allows you to save your custom shades for easy reactivation. Unlike acrylic or oil paints, which are unusable once they dry on the palette, dried watercolor pigments can be revived simply by adding water. Browse our selection of the best rectangular plastic watercolor palettes below.
1. Creative Mark Eldajon Palette
This professional watercolor palette is a great addition to your watercolor set. Its rectangular shape is designed specifically to fit into many portable art boxes, but it’s just as pleasurable to use in your studio.
2. US Art Supply Rectangular Painting Palette
For those looking for a palette with multiple well shapes, choose U.S. Art Supply’s palette. Featuring five small circular wells and five larger rectangular wells, this durable, easy-wash plastic palette is suited for a range of paint types and volumes. It gets the job done and does it well.
3. Amersumer Paint Palettes
Educators can stock up on rectangular watercolor palettes with Amersumer’s 30-piece set. Each palette features six wells and measures 5 by 3.3 inches: an convenient size to store and carry. Smooth and strong, these palettes make both blending and cleaning a breeze. The stackable palettes are easily stored in a classroom cabinet or drawer.
4. Creative Mark Watercolor Palette
If you’re looking for a palette with a mix of well sizes and shapes, go with Creative Mark’s option. This 19-well palette measures 9 by 13 inches and features 4 large circular wells, 4 rectangular wells, 4 slanted sections, and 9 small round wells. With ample blending space to create a variety of colors, this palette offers maximum flexibility.
5. John Pike Watercolor Palette
The original John Pike palette, designed by American watercolorist John Pike when he couldn’t find the perfect tablet for his own uses. The large size allows artists to mix plenty of pigment at once. The fold-down lid makes it an ideal travel palette while serving as an extra mixing space.