Masterson Sta-Wet Painter's Pal Palette Keeps Paint Fresh for Days 9X12 inches, Made in USA

SO much easier to use than the big Masterson box, less bulky and awkward, and fits in a much smaller bag. It's got little points on the lid that hold your palette down, so the paints stay where they are even if this gets turned upside down, and the whole thing fits in my freezer. It's already saved me money on paint.(Freezing your paint in between sessions extends the life of your oils by an unbelievable amount. Less so for burnt sienna and viridian and probably some other quicker-drying colors, but it still extends them.)Also the lid comes off and goes on much easier than the big box's lid. And this looks so much better.One weird thing, read on below* for my thoughts on the compartment and the odd paint rack thing that comes with this.The "rest of the story" . . .My teacher has a plastic brush box with a metal strip to fit exactly in it. He squeezes out his paint onto the strip, and brings the box to and from his painting location, keeping it in the freezer at home. When he gets where he's going he takes the little strip out and sets it at the top of his palette and moves colors down to the palette as needed.So I copied him and added little standoffs at each corner that held the strip in place inside the box, so you could throw the whole thing in a bag and the paints remained on the strip even if it went upside down. No need to worry about keeping it upright.Then I found this thing and everything changed. No more little box! I use the small grey "New Wave" palette, which I have some issues with, but it's ok, and it fits perfectly. I no longer have to take time like I used to, to move my colors to the strip and decide what to keep and what to toss. Now they’re all just there as I mixed them on the palette. So great.*This comes with a compartment at the top with a rinky-dink plastic stand with some really stupid little cups in it, but I threw all that in my "whatever" bin. It’ll come in handy for something. I'll probably just start keeping some brushes or palette knives in that compartment.Oh and the cups they give you with the little stand thingy are ridiculous. I got one halfway decent one with a fitted lid that attaches to the cup, which I use to keep my discard paints when I clean off my palette til I can get home and add it to the "torrit grey" container that lives in the freezer. The rest were the smallest size of flimsiest condiment cups like you get for sauces for takeout. They'd last a day or two if you tried to use them for paint. Ridiculous. I think they would probably melt if you use solvent and got it on them. If they were all nice like the one good one I might actually use them.

I have 2 of the larger Sta-Wet pallets, but they are a bit cumbersome to take to a workshop or Art Club. This pallet works great for this, and is still large enough to be usable. I put acrylic paint in it 2 weeks ago, and it is still quite moist and usable.

This is my 2nd 9x12" StaWet palette. I'm an acrylic painter and have used both the larger and this smaller palette for several years. (I got my old 9x12" used from a yard sale and the lid was already having issues & after 7 years it broke apart. )If you're still using paper plates as a palette, it's time to up your game, especially if you 've graduated from craft paint to better quality pigments. I love these palettes because they keep acrylic paint wet for at least 2 wks. I rewet the sponge when it dries out and spray water on the paper before closing. It's very portable.My only complaint is that the new paint cups are those cheap, tiny plastic-lidded things you normally get filled with chili flakes from pizza delivery. Ugh. So, I removed the plastic tray holder and cups which sits in the separate channel section. I use the channel squeezing straight from the tubes and mix on the paper.I use the larger 12x16" StaWet palette in my studio and have replaced the paper/sponge with a sheet of glass cut to fit since I'm not carrying it around. (To seal, you burp the lid it like the old party-sales storage containers.) Aside from the funky little plastic paint cups, these palettes have been a very good investment.

Works just like it is supposed to

I was hopeful that this would be as wonderful as advertised, but it is not! The top is warped and does not fit properly. I spent 5 minutes trying to snap it closed but it never sealed all the way around. Also, the plastic replacement cups with lids are pricey for what they are, just inexpensive disposable cups. I should have returned it immediately but the return window is now closed. So frustrated!

This palette works well both in the sudio and outside doing plein air painting. Well setup and good design. I like to paint cups on the end for paint storage.

These are truly the best thing for acrylics !I own three different sizes and I can not imagine painting in acrylics with out one!The pallet is air tight and can keep your paints for days Or up to a week (I advise no longer than that without opening it up to get air, they can start to smell).Caution ... Keep they tray upright at all times! if you turn it on it's side it will spill out any water in the sponge( if your lid is not on just right) and/or your paints inside will slide all together and make one big mess! Air it out after a week or clean it out if not you will have Major Oder problems from the paints or water in the container. (and I have experienced mold on the paints after 9 days covered.)All in All these are great for acrylics. I have used them for my acrylic inks too with the little cups holding my mixes of color !

I like the large size of this pallet. It does seem to keep the paint wet in between sessions as long as the sponge gets re-moistened. I often have to change palette colors when working on a painting and that is when I run into issues. The paper definitely doesn’t allow you to “rinse off” the paint. And you have to wait hours waiting for a new paper refill to be wet enough to use. Also, I don’t need the mixing cups. I would have rather had more room for paints.