The Procolour
STAY WET PALETTE
by Mastersons
as used by Linda Wain

Linda highly recommends these palettes to you and
explains how she feels that it is better and less
wasteful to have two or three or more of this size of
palette than a larger one for a variety of reasons.

1. Uses far less desk top space
2. Easy to stack several on top of each other
3. Very handy to carry if painting outside
4. Easy to store
5. Far less wasteful
6. Use a different palette for each painting
with it's own unique set of colours

The key to success with your new Stay-Wet Palette is the correct preparation prior to use.
For the best results always use the stay wet acrylic palette paper especially made for your Procolour palette as supplied by Procolour.
Note :These instructions will not work with other types of palette papers.

1. Prepare the stay wet Acrylic Paper
Place a single sheet of the Acrylic Paper in a clean kitchen sink and cover with HOT water until the paper is fully submerged.
Let the paper soak for about 15minutes.
Soaking the paper for longer will not hurt the paper.

Alternative:
Place the Acrylic Paper in a microwave safe dish of water and turn on the microwave having first set it to high – leave until the water boils.

Linda’s preferred method:

Place a single sheet of Acrylic Paper into the bottom of a clean sink or heat proof dish so that the paper lies flat. Cover with boiling water and leave for approximately 2 minutes until the paper becomes semi transparent. Warning: Be very careful when using boiling water.

2. Prepare the sponge (Basic colour is yellow but others are sometimes available) – some artists prefer the alternative colours!
Before using the sponge for the first time wash it thoroughly under running cold water.
Then squeeze out as much of the water as you can – DO NOT ring the sponge out.
This procedure will remove any sizing etc from the sponge and may allow it to fully expand.
Try the sponge in the bottom tray of the Procolour palette. If it is to large to lay flat simply trim off the excess with a pair of sharp scissors.

3. Assemble the palette ready for use

Saturate the sponge again using COLD water and lay in the bottom tray.
If one side of the sponge is smoother than the other make sure the smooth side is uppermost for the best results.
Place a sheet of the Stay Wet Paper (as prepared in stage 1) on top of the sponge.
Using some paper kitchen towel wipe off any excess water from the top of the paper.
The paper should then feel damp to the fingertips with no standing water.

4. The ProColour Palette is now ready to use.

5. Starting to paint.

Drip out your Procolour Liquid Acrylic paint (having previously shaken it). The paint will slowly absorb moisture from the sponge through the acrylic paper.
It should be noted that darker paint colours will sometimes bleed back onto the sponge.
(at the end of a painting simply wash out the sponge with cold water)
The Acrylic Paper (sold with the Procolour stay wet palette OR purchased separately from Linda is very strong and will not easily tear even if a palette knife is used to mix paints on it.

6. When you have finished either your painting or your painting session.

Lift off the paper and lay it (paint side up) on a flat surface. Next squeeze out some of the water from the sponge, then replace it in the palette and put the paper back on top.
The lid should then be put back and clicked shut to seal. (Note: the tabs should both be at the same end).
It should be noted that if there is to much water left in your sponge when you close the lid the damp atmosphere inside the palette could cause your paints to become diluted.

Linda’s top tip:

When you have finished your painting session OR especially when you don’t intend painting for a few days put your Procolour Palette into the fridge – it will keep everything fresher for longer – remember though to keep the palette flat. Never let your paints freeze.