Ultra Portable Watercolor Palettes 

Bending the little hook on the cup and adding a magnet is soooo simple yet INGENIOUS! Thanks for that idea.

Is it sad I want them all and I almost never take them out of my bedroom? 😂 hoarding tendencies

Hard to believe an expensive brand like Schminke has sharp unfinished edges in their tins. I purchased the Schminke 36 pan set and was so disappointed when it arrived with those sharp edges. Nice review really enjoyed it!

I love how you start this video out talking about how overdone the video idea is. But this is the very first video I’ve ever seen about it. I haven’t painted in 31 years. So it’s all brand new to me. Thank you for making this video, and helping me nurture teenage me who stopped painting 31 years ago

I cut a piece of Yupo “paper” to fit the Altoids type boxes and the found brass boxes. I have sprayed the Altoids tins too and this Yupo works just as well in my opinion.The surface works as a mixing surface and it cleans up very well. I secure it with rubber cement and it holds firmly. I enjoy engineering these little boxes too and enjoyed your video on this.

Great info Brian! Don't be hesitant to do a video that gives YOUR take on a product, especially a pro painter's take such as yourself. I know when I buy tech products I watch every video I can find before buying. You showed some unique items here, as you mentioned, but more importantly they're all shown from a unique perspective. Saw a couple things I hadn't seen before. Thanks buddy!

I have to agree with you that the standard watercolor tin wins hands down. I do a lot of urban sketching and have tried nearly all the popular travel watercolor palettes out there, including the micro painter box, but I find myself reaching out to the standard tin time and again. It's so brilliantly designed, has ample mixing space with enough grooves, holds 18 half pans and is sleek and sturdy enough to throw in a bag with a sketchbook, a pen, waterbrush and a rag cloth, and I am all set. Extremely functional and seriously the best ever! Thank you for reviewing the various palettes out there. Enjoyed all of it.

Is there a psychology term for "palette addiction?" I stopped buying them a long time ago, where I can help it, so now I'm all about recycling and retooling palettes using weird stuff. My primary sets are in good tins, but the secondary sets, yeah. This must be something in the air, as I'm about to publish a new video showing some of those odd palettes, too... including the Altoids. LOL!! Love your presentation on these. So much fun stuff! Thank you, my friend! :)

On any of the non tin boxes, glueing a washer will give you a magnetic surface to mount a water cup

When I started painting, being a nonconformist, I tried everything bit the standard folding tin. In the end, it’s now my favorite. Like you said, “there’s a reason.” 😊

There is an Italian company, Fome, that manufactures those "bijou" boxes (with and without the flask) -- also in other, larger sizes -- that other companies usually buy and brand, so it is highly unlikely that Winsor & Newton manufacture-s/-d them themselves. You can find them in still in Europe from a few art suppliers.

Ready-mades are so pricey. I love the diy boxes lve used mini Plano fishing tackle boxes. They are double sided and have lots of space for little pencils and modified paint brushes needed erasers ect . White contact paper in the lids make a good mixing surface. One side has enough compartments for my water colors. I've also used cheap dollar store eye shadow boxes. They have Ready-made compartments for paints and a little slot for a modified paint brush. I use the contact paper in these too. I love the creativity of making these little kits. Thanks for your video

Thank you for this fine video. Everyone has different needs. I’m getting a plastic palette because I work in a prison where metal is not permitted. Plastic is safer because its hard to sharpen and cut someone’s throat with it. Few people would use that feature, but it is an important consideration in my little corner of the world.

Brian, your take is personal, and objective from your perspective, great information, keep up the good work,keep the videos coming.

Very Interesting video, Brian. I enjoy making travel palettes, too. When the inside of the lid isn't white, I cut some palette paper to fit. and attach it using Scotch Repositionable Adhesive Roller. When the paper is used up, it's easy to remove and adhere a new piece. No need to spray with enamel. That small palette by Cheap Joe's looks like a nice slim size to fit in skinny pockets. Thanks for sharing.

I feel like the winsor and Newton palette would be good for beginners/slightly more advanced watercolorists because it comes with everything one needs to paint, including the paint and brush

Who doesn't LOVE a video about watercolour palettes??? I never get sick of them - especially when talking metal and brass palettes...

Wow ! Thank you so much for introducing different types of palettes !! I esp love the DIY versions ! It is brilliant !

If one paints for years, investing in a solid, brass palette ends up as a zero cost. 95% of the cost of watercolour painting/sketching is in A) watercolour paper, which is the most expensive paper; B) tube paints (large w/c tubes cost more than acrylics or most oils), and C) brushes. Paper is difficult to substitute, but it is possible to reconsider how we use brushes, and what paint we use. Tube paint runs out quickly - use large pans instead, or, use a limited palette of 5-7 colours only. Brushes are quickly destroyed if you grab paint with them, mix with them, and then paint on textured paper. Paintbrushes should never be used for grabbing paint and for mixing; that destroys their tips and cohesion. Use a cheap synthetic brush to grab paint and mix, and only then pick up the mix with a paintbrush.

Joe Miller, from Cheap Joe's...fun fact: I was ordering from him when he was sending out a catalog that was copied on a Xerox machine and hand-stapled. They used to include all kinds of freebies back then. I even may have had a hand in helping him start his "Brushes for Vincent" project WAAAAAAAY back when. This was fun. Gotta love watercolors on the go 😎

Thanks for sharing your travel palettes :) I really enjoyed it.

Now I want to work in design engineering of these watercolors!!! Thank you for this great videos! Keep on making love pro's and con's.

Loved the DYI kits. A good inexpensive way to see if you will use a travel palette.

Thanks! That was a great tour of little paint palettes. The brass one from India is gorgeous and I love the engineering of the Winsor & Newton pro set. Also the tiny four-half-pan set is cute. But fun that you ended up with a standard tin in the end. 😊

This is the 3rd time I’ve watched this video. I’m so grateful you made it and shared your palettes and wealth of information and ingenuity with us… I find I just love different palettes! It’s addicting….😊. I’m saving for the Brass pallete or hopefully my husband will get my “hints” and buy it for Christmas. (I may just forget hinting and tell him…😂). I agree. The most used palettes are the least expensive. A couple years ago I thought I was ordering a Holbein palette on Amazon or EBay but it was just a “dupe”. I was disappointed at first but it’s become my favorite and I have ordered couple more and given to a friend. It’s definitely not the same quality as Holbein but it’s much less expensive so I can create one for each brand of paint I’m trying! I love how easily my brush picks up paint without damaging it…. Only downside is that I find half pans too small….lol Once again, thank you for your opinion (You have such an abundance of experience and knowledge) and for your time to video, edit and post this! Your channel is one of my top favorites. I just didn’t want to take up more of your time by posting. What the heck…lol…it’s three years later so maybe it won’t be too much… Appreciate everything, Nancy Rolfe

Great video! Brilliant use of magnets for that attachable tray. That’s really smart. I agree on the most accessible/versatile being the standard tin box. :)

re: Bijoux box- I have the same and I fit 6 full pans +3 half pans (or 15 half pans if I put them vertically, not horizontally like you did)- the trick is to not use dividers and you have to use W+N sized pans at least for the middle row, preferably secured with magnets. You don't have to secure top and bottom rows, they won't fall out.

Very nice Vid, the idea with the rubber pads under the pallets is GOLD! I did it with mine to, top idea. 👍

That watercup magnet hack is so smart!

Very, very creative, with the magnet!

Revisiting this video to just say that since watching this I've turned quite a few small random containers into mini watercolour sets, my fave is a plastic earplug case. I squeezed 6 half pans snugly into it to make a split primary

Wonderful video, very helpful in seeing what style of travel watercolor palettes are out there! Another trick is that you can attach a cellphone finger ring holder on any palette that lacks a thumb ring.

💡I once had the WN “all-in-one kit” which went missing whilst travelling. When I replaced it, I chose to purchase the less costly WN Cotman version ($74 vs $21 USD). As I have my own palettte of DS artist paints, I gave away the included Cotman half-pans. The boxes are identical except for the colours. If you don’t care about appearances (dark blue vs. all white), the Cotman version is a nice money-saving alternative.

Wow really cool video. I love that one you made with the magnets. Such a cool idea. Im totally inspired! Thanks for sharing❤

They aren’t quite as small as the palettes shown, but I really like the St. Petersburg set with 12 swapable full pans. The color selection is great and the paints themselves are very vibrant. They don’t cost very much and, since I carry a purse, the slightly larger size isn’t a problem.

Tin is not magnetic, and tin does not rust, it oxidizes. If you have a rusty box that a magnet sticks to it is made of metal (steel). There are a few craftsmen out there still making tin box palettes by hand. They will never rust, and they coat them with something so they will never oxidize. They are things of beauty, but you need a second mortgage to purchase them..

Have you seen the palettes from ArtToolkit ... they are amazing, affordable and tiny ... but, they don't hold a lot of paint. I don't own one but they look neat. I have a tiny altoids one that I made and it holds 11 quarter pans. Thank you for this video. PS Steve's comment below is absolutely right on and I'm grateful that you made this video.

I am in love with the mini ones😂😂

That was a really helpful and insightful video! Thank you! I love your winner box, I have several of those and they sure do the job well.

Thank you for showing all of these! And for the hack how to hold water on 10:40

you got my subscription, keep creating more and more art videos and build your channel

I love the altoids box with the bottle caps. That would be so fun to use with kids while painting outdoors. Plus it would help their creativity in learning to re-use things 😍 Where did the water cup with magnet (you added) come from?

Nice collection! I would love to see that handmade brass one in use. It looks divine!

I really enjoyed watching this, I think the DIY ones are the best.

For putting 1/2 pans in Altiods boxes, I use the rubberized magnets with Pressure Sensitive Adhesive to stick on the bottom of the 1/2 pans (trim with a sharp knife) that keeps them secure in the box.

I totally agree with the number one choice :-))) I have four of them and just felt it would be silly to spend more on a palette that might look wonderful , but not be as practical .. also I find that if I buy something that’s more “ precious” , I tend not to use it as much .,. Silly , but I know I’m not alone in this :-)) thanks so much for the video

Downside to the portable painter, is that empty W&N size half pans are essentially impossible to find, so you’ll have to buy empty pans from potable painter directly for about $20 for 12 pans

Fun to see all your small tins/boxes. I have two of the standard tins. One for watercolor and one for gouache. I use the middle area and can get 17 half pans and 2 full pans in the watercolor one, or 9 half pans and 5 full pans in the gouache one. I really like them alot and they have held up very well. I think they are perfect for a small plein air adventure :) I would luv to have a brass one....but my budget isn't that stretchy :)

You can take the pan tray out and connect it along the side of the main compartment and lid using small binder clips. It is reasonably secure, and darn near free. Opens the bottom for additional mixing.

I recently saw a u-tube using small tins as you have done...with a twist...they used button covers to hold the paint. I think they come in different sizes...they were glued into tin and filled from your own tube paints. Thank you for doing this video. I am thinking of making my own and appreciate what you have shown...and with pricing. I am going to check out those button covers...I have an empty tin...somewhere. Ha.ha. Have a great day.

I am a beginner and this was a really interesting video. I have Altoid tins. I was looking for an inexpensive way to start. I found a kit at Costco late November for watercolor. Came with some paper, 12 watercolor pencils, 10 tubes of watercolor and small amount of white gouache. 3 brushes that look cheaper than disposable chopsticks. instruction book and plastic round palette with 6 wells. I haven't swatched the colors or anything because I'm not sure if I'll keep it yet. I was looking for Prang watercolor set because I would really prefer pans instead of tubes of liquid paint.One channel recommended Prang for beginner and inexpensive. I also picked up last night a small pad of 300 series Strathmore Sketch paper (only 3x5). It's pretty flimsy at 50 lb but it might be ok for practice. I went to Staples and they had Crayola, and more expensive ones, then to Michaels craft store with Windsor Newton, Qor, Derwent I think, and Artists loft. Mostly in tubes. Grr. The Costco thing was only $16 something so maybe I'll keep it, each tube of colored paint is I think 5 ml. (oh it has 2 pencils and a pencil sharpener too.) I wanted to find a good brush, like a round 6 because it can do washes and detail but the ones that came in this kit don't come to a point. There is another Art store I remember seeing a long time ago, I should try them if they are still open. Seemed like Michaels mostly had liquid watercolor paints.

omg i looove those DIY pans! i wanna make my own now haha

Great video, I added extra mixing divisions to my bijou box with a hot glue gun, instead of the two areas I now have 6 ( divided one side in two and the other side into four with hot glue lines).

Hi Brian - thanks for a great video! I have watched it at least twice over the months. 😄. Ice Chips candy comes in a very nice Altoids-like box, but with a smooth lid and, if you get certain flavors, the inside is white! The flavors I have tried which have the white are: lemon, pina colada, margarita, and strawberry daiquiri. There are probably more; the sour cherry is just tin color on the inside. They also taste good, are low in calories, and help prevent cavities! A win-win! 👍😄 If you buy them in multiples of at least three, they often come with a very nice silicone band to keep the tin securely closed while moving about. Thanks again!

Winsor & newton also has the field box with Cotman watercolors for only 25 euros, I'm thinking of going for that one and swapping out the Cotman paint :)

I love my standard palette. Lots of space for mixing and hold 20 half pans 👍😊

I wish I could show you a picture. But I made a palette out of an altoids tin for smalls, it’s slightly thinner and slightly longer with a slide off lid. Using cut up key cards for dividers. It has 18 colors and a folded piece of gloss card stock for mixing, plus lid . Strictly table top. I used it all summer, held a decent amount of paint, the white, yellow, ultra blue and red violet are almost out. But plenty left of the others. I used a water brush and sea sponge.

good reviews there Brian, thanks for sharing. I use the Windsor and Newton one myself and really like it but I do use an additional brush, as you say, the kit one is a bit small.

Hmm, maybe rust paint on the Altoid palette hinges to keep them from rusting? Love your videos, Brian!👍🏼😀🎨💞

The Altoid ti, you could cut a piece of tin to fit the bottom, use magnets to attach paint wells. Then spray paint the inside for extra mixing.

Oh heck, saw your channel for the first time (2022) and subscribed, but now a see you haven’t posted in a few years…I like your take on product reviews.

Great video I’m so glad you posted this yours is the first of its kind that I’ve seen of it :-) thank you

Love these! Thank you!

Pantastic!

Green with envy

Thanks for this video! Every time I watch palette overviews I'm more grateful for my everyday palette (a Pebeo tin, very similar to the Schmincke with three large mixing areas in the lid and the foldout with the small round mixing wells). I can't consider a palette portable if it's made of plastic--I'm way too klutzy to carry anything where the half pans aren't securely held in place either with tension clips or magnets/poster putty. As cool as all the water cup palettes are, it bugs me that they have to be dumped before packing out. I'd much rather use a palette cup like your magnetic one, and take my rinse water with me until I can find a sink.

Thank you for this. Useful.

Enjoyed ur review very much. Have subscribed to ur studio. 😊

A mini magnet can be glued to most of the palettes to make it so that the water cup can be magnetized to the palette.

14:40 you could snap a magnet on the other side of the lid so that you could use it with one of those cups, just a thought

I found adhesive white board roll great for if u can’t paint for mixing space or just don’t want to wreck it forever lol

To solve the problem with non magnetic paletts, just glue a flat magnetic at the bottom of the palette and voilà you can stick the magnetic water reservoire to it.

Great video! Where can I find the little bottle you attach to metal palettes with a magnet? I love it!

Good vid thanks for sharing.

Aaaarrrggggh what did you do to me?!?! Every tin box I find now, I wanna turn into a watercolor box 😅😅😅🤣🤣

I enjoyed this video very much, because, palettes!

Thank you for this. You have saved me a lot of time and money. Again thank you.

This video was soooo helpful! Thank you!

Because of a very large mixing tray( s) in my studio I do a lot of mixing . But the problem comes with en plein air. I want to get as close as I can without mixing so much. That means I need a larger palette. But I also have arthritis and need to limit weight ...i am on O2. So ..my solution was a speciality palette from schmincke. It is more square when closed. It balances perfectly. Wet paint in Michigan sold them. I didn't find this until they were selling the last so I only got one. Aaarrrrgggghhhh! I also wanted more colors...soooo..i sent to wish and bought mini silicone ice cube trays. These I cut into 2,3 and 4 blocks for each color I wanted. I now can carry 32 colors that I can use an 8 or 10 sized travel brushes. Less mixing...yeah. I have deleted easy to make colors like hookers green. Thank you for your descriptions of each of these palettes. Now to find a really good solution for my water..

Maybe you could stick some masking tape around the sharp edges. Great video, thank you 😊

"... when you go to a family gathering... then you have something to there...." hahaha, that sums up family gatherings 😂😂

Thank you, very helpful!

Something you can do is use a section of Yupo W/C paper for a paint mixing surface. Use hot glue or something to secure it.

On the plastic travel kits, you could super glue a metal washer onto a flat spot to use your magnetic cup adaptation.

I loved seeing the palettes and your commentary on each one. There is one I was hoping to see that you didn't do. It is the one you were using when you painted Diego. I haven't found one like it anywhere. (YET) lol

Great info! Thankyou

I condider a business card holder with eyeshadow tin cans the vest portable palette

Good review and enjoyed your thoughts. I have the one from Joe Miller but never put paint in it. I really liked the one you made with the extra lid. Since my husband loves Altoids, I have made myself more of those than I care to admit to. It is just so hard to toss the tins. Take care and take care of Robo, falling down at the end must hurt.

Ugh, I can feel the envy building over the brass ones.. arff

I didn’t know about the altoids!

Dear Brian thank you ever so much for showing and explainig how all of them work and how to use them and wich is the most use full one to buy .I like your magnetical waterholder. Where can I buy them? Greetings from Christiane Berlin Germany 😊

Absolutely agree with your top choice, I have a number of them, they take a great mix of full and half pans, and are just so versatile. I can get 12 full pans into them, and without removing the tray inside 21 half pans, thou you may have to lift one of the rails and reglue it to make so many fit in. Having said that it is an easy hack and they are then ready to go and who cares if they get a bit beaten up! They do the job. You didn't include the only very marginally larger 16 half pan heavy weight enamelled tin box, which will at a push hold an extra nine half pans in the centre well. It is the big brother of the bijou, and I really enjoy it, but you could get several of your top choice box for the same cost and not ever feel anxious about them! Small paintboxes are addictive, mine are geared to different kinds of usage, and I far prefer them to any of the larger choices because they are just so easy to work with. I recently bought a Schmincke bijou, the plain one without the waterbottle, with eight half pans at a fantastic price, still pondering what colours to add to make it a set of 12. Jacksons may still have a very short handled synthetic round 8 brush that will fit into many of these boxes, a far better option than the fussy little 2's and 4's that are not very practical.

Beginner here thanks for info ...I was gonna make my own but now after video I'm gonna just buy one pre made...lol

Portable painter for the win.

Glue a magnet to the brass one like you modified with the silicon feet...

I know this video is 4 years old at this point, but the reason the paint "tins" are magnetic is because they are made of steel, not tin. That's why they rust if the enamel gets scratched. Tin is one of the group of metals that are not magnetic. At one time, cans of food and little boxes of mints or candy were often made of tin, so people called them "tins," and the name just stuck. These items haven't been made of steel for quite awhile (mid-20th century, I think). Some steel cans are alloyed or plated with tin to prevent rust, though - or galvanized with zinc. It kind of boggles my mind that tin is more expensive than steel, because the word "tin" metaphorically conveys cheapness and low quality, while "steel" conveys strength and solidity.

Good video.

SOLD! Thank you, sir.

너무 귀여운 제품들이라 다 갖고 싶네요 콜렉터 본능 살아납니다

What is the technical name of the little magnetic water container? I can’t figure out what words to combine in a search on eBay...