Changing of the Palette?

2018 Photograph Dale DiMauro

For an artist to change palettes is a big deal. At least for me it is. If you have been using your existing palette for years, you know where all the pigments are or should be. 

Many artists have cool colors which are primarily blues in one area and warm colors that include yellows on the opposite side with space for some neutrals or darks. 

Experience has taught me to seek a palette which is easy to clean, durable and with plenty of area to mix pigments. The residue from past mixtures on my palette are a rich source to draw upon. Some pigments run into others creating 'happy accidents'. These mixtures make me consider how I would utilize them in the future.

The other consideration I often ponder is which palette is best for transporting. I prefer a palette which does not consume too much desk space, yet the ones that fold, run pigment all over the place, if folded, when still wet. 

This is a John Pike palette which is well made that I purchased a couple years ago. I finally am considering putting it to use but only in the studio. 

This post is probably rather uninspiring. However, the issues I find with palettes keep resurfacing. So it is time for a fresh start.