How to Dry Watercolors in a Palette

Some watercolors are sold as cakes of paint.

Watercolor paint comes in tubes or cakes. Some artists prefer the cakes, because they don't require constantly squirting out new paint. All you have to do is dab your brush on the open block of paint to get more. You can make your own cakes of paint from tubed paint by drying the watercolors. Once the paint is dried, it can be used just like store-bought watercolor paint cakes.

Things You'll Need

• Tubes of watercolor paint
• Small ice cube tray
• Palette knife

Instructions

1. Squirt a different color of paint into each of the ice tray's sectioned compartments.

2. Use the palette knife to smooth the paints, so that they are flat on top.

3. Let the paint dry for one week.

4. Remove the watercolor paint by flipping the ice tray upside down and twisting the tray with your hands. The paint should slip out on its own. If it doesn't, you may need to pry it out using the palette knife.

Tips & Warnings

• You can leave the cakes in the ice tray, and use it as storage for the paints.

• Clean the palette knife in-between smoothing each color.

References

• "Water Color A to Z"; Grant Fuller; Page 8; 2008

Resources

• Watercolor Painting: Watercolor Tips and Tutorials