McCabe Studio Palette

What are the objectives of a great palette, beyond holding paint?  My answer would be: right size, right color for keying off values and hue, portable, light weight, capable of being sealed for storing paint, including in freezer, easily cleaned, and indeed, capable of being propped up vertically right next to the painting.  This puts the palette in the same light as the painting and frees a hand to hold a maul stick or other tool.  Although placed parallel to the canvas, the paint will not slide.  If you have a problem with a particular tube, hit the tube against a flat surface at the cap – not to hard - that will mix the pigment with the oil.  I call this palette the McCabe Studio Upright Palette.

The McCabe Studio Upright Palette, I believe, has all these features. 

• Polycarbonate base and lid
•  Stained and varnished wood sides, trim and handles
• Edging primer for base, grey
• Air tight lid with handles
• Velcro tie
• Hands free and upright

I mount the palette on a Stagg MUS-A6 BK music stand: see www.staggmusic.com. 

Tips: Clean palette with denatured alcohol spray.   Place palette in freezer when not in use – that will help any open paint last longer

My paints

The paints on my palette may vary from time to time and certainly change based on the work at hand.  But below is a list of the most common used paints.  This list is also the order in which I lay paints out on my palette.  I like Gamblin paints, but use both Gamblin and Holbein brand Titanium White, as well as other quality brand colors.