_TOTAL_ nob questions about getting paint from pot to palette

[Sand20go]

This is going to sound really stupid. So last night was finishing up a unit of WGI and was putting some grays onto my pallet. My current "system" is to
A) Shake up pot
B) Pour as little as I can out onto my pallet
C) Use paper towel to clean up the lid of my pot
D) Add either water or other thinning material to paints

I use principally p3 and a few GW metals.

The problem with said system is that I WASTE paint. I am not sure how much but I know that when I am wasting paint when all I need to do is paint a few highlights on a mini's hat or finish up their eyes.

How do other people do this? Or is this a feature, not a bug?

(PS. Have used a "pallet knife" but all that does, it seems, is put the excess paint on the knife rather than the pallet")

[skyline7]

I use the handle of an old brush or a toothpick. Color I use constantly usually get transferred into empty dropper bottles.

[PG_Ghool]

1. Scoop some water into your palette with a brush.
2. Scoop some paint with your brush from the pot, and add it to the water.
3. Repeat Step 2 as needed.
4. Paint your model.

[Patryn]

I use my brush to pick the paint up. I freaking hate paint pots, and wish GW would switch to dropper bottles.

[Sand20go]

1. Scoop some water into your palette with a brush.
2. Scoop some paint with your brush from the pot, and add it to the water.
3. Repeat Step 2 as needed.
4. Paint your model.

OMG. That makes complete and total sense. I am going to go home and wear my nob hat for the rest of the day

[Canfu]

For a while I tried eye droppers, then I tried syringes (as found in infant Tylenol), but both of those waste a bit of paint. I use GW paints, and agree that paint pots are... uninspired, however, I've got a new trick (that I'm sure isn't new to some). When you shake up the paint, some of it gets in the lid- which has the scoop thing in it (to prevent paint getting in the hinge, I presume). What I do is, shake paint (or tip it upside down for a sec), open the lid and twist it to the side and let the paint drip off the scoop onto my palette.

I tend to mix my paint/thinning medium/water with a brush handle, so as to not fudge the brush. Overall, I'm very conservative on buying new brushes, so I do what I can to preserve them!

[PBartholdy]

I do exactly like Ghool. I've always found it natural. I'm actually a bit surprised some don't as the alternative methods mentioned seems to potentially waste a lot of paint.

I guess I'm a paint scooping method imperialist ...

[HeadHunter]

I'd recommend care if using your brush to transfer paint. It's very easy to get it up into the ferrule, which can ruin a brush if it's not carefully cleaned. Use an old brush if you can.

[MadJack]

I'd recommend care if using your brush to transfer paint. It's very easy to get it up into the ferrule, which can ruin a brush if it's not carefully cleaned. Use an old brush if you can.

I'll second this. I pretty much never use the brush I'm planning to paint with for this - instead I'll use an older brush.

[MagnustheJust]

I use small pet oral medicine syringes :



This not only keeps both the waste and mess to a minimum, but gives you precise and consistent results every time! And due to having four ferrets, I have a supply of these on hand.

You should be able to get these from any pharmacy that also handles pet meds, or ask your local veterinarian...

[MadJack]

I use small pet oral medicine syringes :

This not only keeps both the waste and mess to a minimum, but gives you precise and consistent results every time! And due to having four ferrets, I have a supply of these on hand.

For some reason now I'm picturing your four ferrets carefully measuring out your paint for you using these syringes...

[Autumn Stone]

Dip brush in paint (just bristles, not ferrule)
Put paint onto wet palette
Pull a bit of paint away from the main dot - along the wet palate. This makes it just the right consistency
Mix with adjacent paint as needed to get just the right colour.
Paint mini.
When done, run palatte paper under water to wash off the minimal excess paint, or just put a lid on to re-use the paint later

Cheers
A.S.

ps wet palate construction and use in the sig.

[MagnustheJust]

For some reason now I'm picturing your four ferrets carefully measuring out your paint for you using these syringes...

Child labor is illegal in the US...

[PG_Ghool]

I'd recommend care if using your brush to transfer paint. It's very easy to get it up into the ferrule, which can ruin a brush if it's not carefully cleaned. Use an old brush if you can.

If it gets in the ferrule whilst mixing on the palette, rinse it out.
At the end of the session take a close look at the ferrule. If you see paint staining the base of the bristles, give it a clean with some W&N Brush Cleaner and Restorer. Wash with some Master Soap, and rinse.

My kolinsky brushes normally last me around 12 months of continued use, and I use them for mixing my paint, as well as putting it onto the palette. Just take care, rinse them well, and give them a good cleaning every session or two.