AK INTERACTIVE – WET PALETTE

This is a relatively new product from AK Interactive.

So, what is a Wet Palette and what benefits does it offer?

Traditionally a tool used by figure painters but it does have uses in other branches of modelling as well. If you are a modeller that uses acrylic paints as your preferred medium you may have experienced times when the colours on your palette start to dry out and skin over as you are using them (especially on a day like today with extreme temperatures).

There may also be times when you have mixed a colour that you do not wish to use in one sitting so you either hope that you can mix the colour again or have to put in the extra time to make sure its all used at the one sitting.

So, this is where a Wet Palette would come into its own. It allows you to dispense paint onto a water permeable paper top sheet and the water held in a sponge in the unit keeps the paint moist and slows its drying time.

A lot of the pallets available are large units that are aimed at Artists painting to a much larger scale and using a lot more paint that a traditional model maker would.

So, for that AK have introduced their own version of the Wet Palette.

PICTURES 1 & 2

The pallet comes in a box 170mm x 135mm x 50mm. and boast an Airtight Seal (in fact AK actually say it’s the same box that would be used to carry small survival sets on such things as a lifeboat).

The back of the box shows the instructions in pictorial form. Nothing at all complicated but you do need to read these so that the water application is done correctly.

PICTURES 3, 4 & 5

Inside the box we get a pack of 40 paper sheets. This is the top layer onto which you put your paints.

We get a “Wipe” and this is a sort of felt material that sits on top of the sponge with the paper then being put on top of that.

Out of its packaging the actual pallet measures 150mm x 125mm x 45mm

PICTURES 6 & 7

The lid of the pallet is secured to its base by 2 clips on each side (total of 8 clip to unsnap).

Time will tell just how long these clips will last as the actual “hinge” is formed as part of the moulding and in the past when I have had things like this, I have found that they can wear through quite quickly.

Once you get the clips undone the box separates into a top and base and in here you will find 2 sponge inserts (1 to use and 1 to keep as a spare).

Once you have set this palette up and have finished your days modelling its just a case of snapping on the lid and then you can store the whole unit in the fridge in the knowledge your paint will stay workable for some days to come.

Each of the component parts are available from good Hobby shops as spares (the sponge, the Wipe and a pack of 40 of the paper).

Trev

Many thanks. Trying to do my bit to add a bit of interest

Hope to see you back on that brilliant stage coach of yours when you get chance. Difficult time of year now the weather has improved to find the time with so many other jobsto be doing around the house.

Tony

Looks like a nice piece of kit Tony and well reported on.... Thanks for sharing.....

Regards

Alan