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 theyre 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. Itll 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.

Seals well. Can be used with various mediums. The little covered cups included don't seal well and leak though, so I won't be using those. I can use that space to store brushes/knives instead. A good overall size to carry in my art bag.

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.

I really like this palette, its smaller and easy to transport to classes. It has watercolor pots, but I flipped the tray over, removed the cups and use it as brush storage since I am learning acrylics. The most important feature is keeping the paint wet between sessions and this does a good job when you use the Masterson paper. Because of its smaller size, I can also fit it on the bottom shelf in the fridge and that helps keep the paint fluid as well! Our teacher recommended not using the sponge as it gets moldy/musty, and placing several layers of fully moistened paper toweling under the palette paper, works like a charm!

Update: 5/23/18: I love this! I store it in the fridge when I'm not using it, the small containers are perfect for adding water or rinsing the tip of a brush and having the paint stay wet makes painting so much more enjoyable!!! I've ordered a smaller one now too. I highly recommend these! Haven't actually used this yet, but I'm sure it will be wonderful! I read the instructions and took it apart--looks great! I tried using wet parchment paper in a small cookie sheet and couldn't believe how wonderful it worked. I did a lot of painting for Christmas while struggling with dry acrylic paint. This tray has a lid that snaps down to cover the damp paint and paper, although I've read it needs to remain level. I also read suggestions to add something to the water to keep it from going sour, and to refrigerate the tray. I have some mouthwash I'll try. I'm anxious to try it, apparently the paper that's used for the paint pallette is reusable after rinsing. Worst case, I go back to parchment paper!