If you paint miniatures regularly, a wet palette is one of the most useful tools you can add to your setup. It keeps your paints workable for far longer than a dry palette, gives you more time to blend, and reduces waste. Once you start using one, it is genuinely hard to go back.
In this guide, we cover the best wet palettes for miniature painting — from the premium Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette 2 to a cheap entry-level option — so you can find the right one for your budget and painting style.
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🏆 Quick Comparison: Best Wet Palettes for Miniature Painting
| Wet Palette | Best For | Size | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette 2 | Mejor en general | Standard (A5) | Buy from Redgrass → |
| Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette | Great Value Alternative | Standard | Buy from Redgrass → |
| Masterson Sta-Wet Palette | Budget Pick | Large | Check price on Amazon → |
What is a Wet Palette and Why Do Painters Use One?
A wet palette is a shallow tray with a moisture reservoir layer (usually a foam sponge) and a semi-permeable membrane sheet on top. You place your paints on the membrane, and the moisture underneath keeps them wet and workable for extended periods — sometimes hours or even days if you store the palette with the lid on.
For miniature painters, this solves one of the most frustrating problems: paints drying out mid-session. Acrylic paints dry quickly on a regular palette. If you are blending colours or working on a large batch of models, you constantly fight against the paint skinning over. A wet palette removes that problem entirely.
The practical benefits for miniature painters include:
- Longer working time — paints stay wet for the entire session and beyond
- Less waste — you squeeze out less paint because nothing dries up between uses
- Easier blending — wet paint on the palette blends more smoothly with thin layers on the model
- Colour consistency — mixes and thinned colours stay usable across a whole session
The downside is a small learning curve. Too much moisture can over-thin your paints, and cheap palettes can use membranes that are too thick, making the paint behaviour unpredictable. That is why the palette you choose matters more than it might seem.
Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette 2 — Best Overall
★ Top Pick
Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette 2
The dedicated miniature painting wet palette — built specifically for hobby use with a thin hydration membrane and an airtight carrying case.
Buy from Redgrass Games →Ganamos una comisión si realiza una compra, sin coste adicional para usted.
The Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette 2 is the clear top pick for anyone who paints miniatures regularly. Redgrass Games designed this palette specifically for the miniature painting community, and it shows in every detail.
The key upgrade in the version 2 is the hydration membrane. It is thinner and more permeable than the original, which means you get a more controlled amount of moisture reaching your paint. Less pooling, less accidental over-thinning — the paint stays usable without becoming watery.
The palette comes in a rigid plastic case that doubles as an airtight lid. Close it up at the end of a session and your paints will still be wet the next day, or even the day after that. For painters who like to work in long sessions or return to the same colours over multiple evenings, this is a genuine time-saver.
Replacement membranes are available directly from Redgrass, so ongoing costs are manageable. Most painters find membranes last many sessions before needing replacement.
What painters like about the Redgrass Wet Palette 2
- Thin membrane means paint does not over-thin easily
- Airtight lid keeps paint fresh between sessions (24–72+ hours)
- Good working area for batch painting multiple models
- Replacement paper and membranes available from Redgrass
- Designed specifically for miniature painting, not repurposed from general art supplies
Things to know
- Higher price point than generic options
- Works best with the included Redgrass parchment paper
Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette (Original) — Great Value Alternative
Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette (Original)
The palette that put Redgrass on the map — still an excellent choice and often available at a lower price than the version 2.
Buy from Redgrass Games →Ganamos una comisión si realiza una compra, sin coste adicional para usted.
The original Redgrass Everlasting Wet Palette was a hit in the miniature painting community for good reason. The core function is identical to the version 2: a sponge base, a permeable membrane, and an airtight case that keeps your paints workable between sessions.
The main difference from the version 2 is the membrane. The original uses a slightly thicker sheet, which means you need to be a little more careful about moisture levels — give the sponge a good squeeze to remove excess water before placing the paper on top. Once you have the technique dialed in, it works very well.
If the Wet Palette 2 is out of stock or the price is noticeably better on the original, this is not a meaningful step down for most painters. The airtight case and core painting experience are the same.
Masterson Sta-Wet Palette — Budget Pick
Masterson Sta-Wet Palette
The most affordable wet palette on this list — larger working area, widely available, and a reasonable starting point for beginners.
Check price on Amazon →Ganamos una comisión si realiza una compra, sin coste adicional para usted.
The Masterson Sta-Wet palette is well known in the broader painting world, not just among miniature painters. It is significantly cheaper than the Redgrass options and has a larger working surface, which can be useful for painters who like to have many colours on the go at once.
The tradeoff is the membrane. The Sta-Wet uses a thicker paper that lets through more moisture than the Redgrass palettes. Many miniature painters find this makes paint a little harder to control — colours can become over-thinned if the sponge is too wet. You need to experiment with the moisture level to get the balance right.
For a first wet palette, especially if you are unsure whether wet palette painting suits your style, the Sta-Wet is a perfectly reasonable starting point. Replacement paper packs are inexpensive and widely available.
Things to watch out for
- Thicker membrane means more moisture reaches the paint — squeeze the sponge well before use
- Does not seal as airtight as the Redgrass cases — paints may dry faster if stored
- Replacement paper is proprietary but cheap and easy to find
How to Use a Wet Palette for Miniature Painting
Getting the most out of a wet palette takes a little setup. Here is the basic process:
- Wet the sponge — soak the sponge in water, then squeeze out most of the excess. You want the sponge damp, not dripping.
- Place the membrane — lay the parchment paper on top of the sponge and press out any air bubbles. The paper should look slightly damp but not soggy.
- Put paints on the membrane — squeeze small amounts of paint onto the paper as you normally would. The moisture will keep the paint workable.
- Thin your paints as usual — the wet palette does not replace thinning. You still add water or medium to your paints before applying to a model. The palette just stops the paint drying out while you work.
- Store with the lid on — at the end of a session, close the lid. Paints on a good wet palette will stay usable for 24–72 hours or longer.
Most common mistake: Too much water in the sponge. If your paints are spreading out and thinning by themselves, squeeze more water out of the sponge before your next session. You want damp, not wet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a wet palette for miniature painting?
No — but most painters who try one do not go back. If you paint in long sessions, batch paint multiple models, or do any blending, a wet palette significantly improves the experience. For occasional quick painting, a regular palette works fine.
Can I make a DIY wet palette?
Yes. A shallow food container, a damp sponge or paper towel, and baking parchment paper is the classic DIY setup. It works, and many painters start this way. The advantage of a purpose-made palette is the thinner membrane (better paint control) and the airtight case (stores paints between sessions without drying out).
How long do paints last on a wet palette?
With a good wet palette and the lid closed, most acrylic paints stay workable for 24–72 hours. Some painters report several days. The exact time depends on the palette, the paint brand, and how airtight the seal is. Redgrass palettes typically outperform cheaper options here.
What kind of paper do I use?
Dedicated wet palette parchment paper is what most palettes use. Do not use regular printer paper — it will dissolve. Most wet palette brands sell replacement paper packs. Baking parchment from a supermarket also works as a cheap alternative.
Redgrass original or version 2 — which should I buy?
If both are available at similar prices, get the version 2 — the thinner membrane gives slightly better paint control. If the original is noticeably cheaper or the version 2 is out of stock, the original is still an excellent palette and the core experience is very similar.