Palette (painting)

[1][2] A palette is made of materials such as wood, paper, glass, ceramic or plastic, and can vary greatly in size and shape.

[2][3] Watercolor palettes are generally made of plastic or porcelain in a rectangular or wheel format, and have built in wells and mixing areas for colors.

[3] A classical palette is most often oval, but can also be rectangular, and is tapered to ensure optimal distribution of weight.

It has a thumbhole and insert for brushes, and is designed to be held in the non-dominant hand while the other is used to mix and paint.

[1] However, some well-known artists have used more unconventional palettes; for instance, Picasso used a sheet of newspaper.