ArtTray — Organize, Mix, Create: A Better Way to PaintArtTray is a compact, versatile tool designed to streamline the painting process for artists of all levels. Whether you work in acrylics, oils, watercolors, or mixed media, the right palette and organization system can dramatically affect your workflow, color consistency, and overall enjoyment. This article explores how ArtTray helps artists organize supplies, mix colors efficiently, and create with greater freedom — plus practical tips, use cases, and comparisons to traditional palettes.
What is ArtTray?
ArtTray is a portable painting tray that combines organized storage for brushes, tubes, and tools with dedicated mixing areas for paints. Its thoughtful layout typically includes wells or ridged mixing surfaces, brush holders, compartments for mediums and solvents, and sometimes removable inserts for easy cleaning or customization. Many modern ArtTray designs aim to be lightweight yet durable, made from materials like BPA-free plastic, silicone, or anodized aluminum.
Why Organization Matters
A well-organized workspace reduces interruptions and decision fatigue. When your tools and colors are logically arranged, you can focus more on painting and less on searching for a brush or mixing the right hue.
- Consistency: Keeping your colors in fixed locations helps you reproduce palettes across sessions.
- Speed: Quick access to brushes and mediums speeds up the painting process, important for time-sensitive media like acrylics.
- Cleanliness: Compartments reduce spills and cross-contamination between colors.
- Portability: A compact tray keeps everything contained for plein air painting or travel.
Efficient Color Mixing
ArtTray designs often include multiple mixing wells and a larger flat area for blending. Here’s how this supports better color mixing:
- Multiple wells let you create and store small batches of mixed hues simultaneously.
- A textured or matte mixing surface prevents paints from sliding, helping you judge values and saturation.
- Clear demarcations between mixing and storage areas prevent accidental contamination.
- Some trays include removable mixing plates or palettes that can be preserved for future reference.
Practical tip: When mixing, work from light to dark and test values against a neutral gray area on the tray to check contrast accurately.
Materials & Build: What to Look For
Choosing the right ArtTray depends on your medium and habits:
- Plastic (BPA-free): Lightweight, inexpensive, easy to clean — good for students and travel.
- Silicone: Flexible, non-stick, and very easy to clean; useful for acrylics and water-based media.
- Aluminum or stainless steel: Durable, smooth mixing surface, professional feel; easier to compress in a studio bag.
- Removable inserts: Allow customization — swap in glass, paper, or plastic plates depending on medium.
Consider features like built-in brush slots, snap-on lids (to seal wet palettes), and compatibility with solvent containers for oils.
Use Cases: Studio, Travel, and Plein Air
- Studio artists benefit from larger ArtTrays with multiple compartments and sturdier materials to handle heavy use.
- Plein air painters should favor lightweight trays with secure lids and compact form factors.
- Mixed-media artists may want modular systems that accept different inserts (paper for watercolor, glass for oils).
Example setup for acrylic painting: Reserve three wells for primary mixtures (warm and cool variants), a larger central area for blending, and side compartments for brushes and retarder medium.
Maintenance & Cleaning
- For water-based paints: clean immediately with warm water and mild soap. Removable silicone or plastic inserts can be soaked.
- For oil paints: use solvent sparingly and follow with soap and oil-cleaning solutions; metal surfaces often handle solvents better.
- Prevent staining by wiping surfaces after each session; consider using disposable palette paper atop a tray for minimal cleanup.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Keeps supplies organized and portable | Higher-end models can be costly |
| Multiple mixing areas reduce contamination | Some materials may stain over time |
| Customizable inserts for different media | Bulkier trays less ideal for travel |
| Improves workflow and color consistency | Learning curve to set up an efficient layout |
Tips to Maximize Your ArtTray
- Establish a consistent color layout (e.g., left-to-right from light to dark).
- Label or photograph your tray setups to reproduce palettes later.
- Use small, resealable containers in compartments for mediums and mediums.
- Keep a neutral gray swatch on the tray for value checks.
- Rotate brushes between compartments to avoid cross-contamination.
Alternatives & When to Use Them
Traditional wooden or glass palettes are excellent for certain workflows—glass for smooth blending, wooden for oils with a classic feel. However, ArtTray shines when portability, organization, and quick-clean features are priorities. If you prioritize minimalism, a single flat palette or disposable palette paper might be preferable.
Final Thoughts
ArtTray is more than just a palette; it’s a compact system designed to make painting smoother, faster, and more organized. By choosing the right material and layout for your medium and habits, you can spend less time managing supplies and more time creating. Small adjustments—consistent color placement, removable inserts, and good cleaning habits—can turn an ArtTray into an essential part of your artistic routine.
Leave a Reply