Palette Layout

Starting closest to you, work around the edge of the palette, leaving plenty of room for mixing paint in the middle. Once you’ve decided on your colour layout [it's not vital that you use this particular sequence], then stick to it. If you always know what colours you have and where they are on the palette, it will save you time and energy and allow you to concentrate on your painting. Use a mid-toned wooden palette. Don’t use a white plastic palette with recesses for paint-mixing; they’re designed for watercolour. Hold the palette by putting your thumb up through the hole and resting the palette on the crook of your arm. The shape of a conventional palette leavesyour fingers free for holding a rag and ba brush or two that you may need. You can see a short video demonstration here.

Starting near your left elbow [for right handers!]

Zinc white

Lemon [cool] yellow

Cadmium yellow

Cadmium Red light

Alizarin Crimson

Burnt Umber

Sap Green

Ultramarine Blue

Ivory Black