How to Make Ceramic Palettes for Watercolor Paint


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How to Make Ceramic Palettes for Watercolor Paint! There’s something special about creating artwork with tools that are just as beautiful as the paintings themselves. While I have plenty of plastic palettes tucked away in my studio, I wanted something that felt more inspiring to reach for each time I sat down to paint.

How to Make Ceramic Palettes for Watercolor Paint!

There’s something special about creating artwork with tools that are just as beautiful as the paintings themselves. While I have plenty of plastic palettes tucked away in my studio, I wanted something that felt more inspiring to reach for each time I sat down to paint. 

Learn How to Make Ceramic Palettes for Watercolor Paint!

These handmade ceramic watercolor palettes are exactly that—a collection of functional art pieces that make every painting session feel a little more creative.

These handmade ceramic watercolor palettes are exactly that—a collection of functional art pieces that make every painting session feel a little more creative.

Each palette was handcrafted from earthenware clay using slab-building techniques before being professionally fired at my local recreation center. 

Each palette was handcrafted from earthenware clay using slab-building techniques before being professionally fired at my local recreation center.

After the first firing, I returned to glaze each piece with bright tropical colors and glossy finishes before they received their final kiln firing. To finish them off, I added a thin adhesive cork backing to protect tables and work surfaces from scratches.

After the first firing, I returned to glaze each piece with bright tropical colors and glossy finishes before they received their final kiln firing. To finish them off, I added a thin adhesive cork backing to protect tables and work surfaces from scratches.

The result is a collection of whimsical palettes that are practical enough for everyday painting while also serving as decorative objects when they're sitting on a shelf between artistic adventures.

The result is a collection of whimsical palettes that are practical enough for everyday painting while also serving as decorative objects when they're sitting on a shelf between artistic adventures.

Why I Made Ceramic Watercolor Palettes

As a watercolor artist, I spend a lot of time mixing colors. Traditional plastic palettes certainly work, but I wanted something with a little more charm and personality.

Why I Made Ceramic Watercolor Palettes As a watercolor artist, I spend a lot of time mixing colors. Traditional plastic palettes certainly work, but I wanted something with a little more charm and personality.

Instead of plain rectangles, I designed playful designs inspired by tropical flowers, lily pads, leafy botanicals, and even the classic artist palette shape. Each one has its own personality, making it feel less like a disposable art supply and more like a tiny work of art.

Instead of plain rectangles, I designed playful designs inspired by tropical flowers, lily pads, leafy botanicals, and even the classic artist palette shape. Each one has its own personality, making it feel less like a disposable art supply and more like a tiny work of art.

They have an organic look that simply can't be duplicated by mass-produced palettes, and every slight variation reminds me that they were made by hand.

They have an organic look that simply can't be duplicated by mass-produced palettes, and every slight variation reminds me that they were made by hand.

Supplies Needed for Ceramic Watercolor Palette DIY:


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Supplies Needed for Ceramic Watercolor Palette DIY: affiliate links Earthenware clay Rolling pin Slab guides Clay knife Pottery tools Sponge Water Glazes Kiln firing Adhesive cork sheets Scissors

Step 1: Roll Out the Clay

I started by rolling slabs of earthenware clay to an even thickness. While many artists enjoy working with stoneware clay for creating a porcelain palette, the recreation center offered earthenware clay, which worked perfectly for this project.

Step 1: Roll Out the Clay I started by rolling slabs of earthenware clay to an even thickness. While many artists enjoy working with stoneware clay for creating a porcelain palette, the recreation center offered earthenware clay, which worked perfectly for this project.

Using slab construction made it easy to cut custom shapes while keeping each palette relatively flat for painting.

Once the slabs were rolled, I sketched and cut several different botanical-inspired designs.

Using slab construction made it easy to cut custom shapes while keeping each palette relatively flat for painting. Once the slabs were rolled, I sketched and cut several different botanical-inspired designs.

Step 2: Shape the Palettes

Each palette was carefully refined before drying.

Step 2: Shape the Palettes Each palette was carefully refined before drying.

The collection includes:

  • A tropical hibiscus flower
  • A simple flower silhouette
  • A classic artist palette
  • A ginkgo leaf
  • A monstera-inspired leaf
  • A lily pad
  • A round palette featuring three primary color wells

The collection includes: A tropical hibiscus flower A simple flower silhouette A classic artist palette A ginkgo leaf A monstera-inspired leaf A lily pad A round palette featuring three primary color wells

Rather than aiming for perfect symmetry, I embraced the handmade process, giving every palette an organic look and slightly unique outline.

Rather than aiming for perfect symmetry, I embraced the handmade process, giving every palette an organic look and slightly unique outline.

Step 3: Create Color Wells

Most watercolor artists appreciate having dedicated spaces for primary colors while still leaving plenty of room for mixing.

Step 3: Create Color Wells Most watercolor artists appreciate having dedicated spaces for primary colors while still leaving plenty of room for mixing.

Two of my palettes feature a simple three-hole cavity design for red, yellow, and blue.

Two of my palettes feature a simple three-hole design for red, yellow, and blue.

These little wells make it easy to start every painting while the larger open areas leave room for blending much paint into countless custom colors.

These little wells make it easy to start every painting while the larger open areas leave room for blending much paint into countless custom colors.

The remaining palettes offer large uninterrupted mixing areas with a wonderfully smooth surface.

The remaining palettes offer large uninterrupted mixing areas with a wonderfully smooth surface.

Step 4: Allow the Clay to Dry

The clay was allowed to dry slowly before its first firing, on a piece of cardboard wrapped in a plastic bag.

Taking time during this stage helps minimize cracking and warping while keeping each palette nice and flat.

Step 4: Allow the Clay to Dry The clay was allowed to dry slowly before its first firing, on a piece of cardboard wrapped in a plastic bag. Taking time during this stage helps minimize cracking and warping while keeping each palette nice and flat.

Step 5: Bisque Firing

After drying, I took all of the palettes to my local recreation center.

The ceramics department completed the first kiln firing, turning the fragile clay into a much stronger friendly ceramic material that was ready for glazing.

Step 5: Bisque Firing After drying, I took all of the palettes to my local recreation center. The ceramics department completed the first kiln firing, turning the fragile clay into a much stronger friendly ceramic material that was ready for glazing.

Having access to a community ceramics studio makes projects like this much more approachable without needing your own kiln.

Having access to a community ceramics studio makes projects like this much more approachable without needing your own kiln.

Step 6: Glaze the Palettes

After the bisque firing, I returned to glaze every palette by hand.

I chose tropical-inspired colors that felt bright, cheerful, and relaxing.

Soft teal greens, fresh leafy colors, creamy whites, and a vibrant coral flower came together beautifully.

Step 6: Glaze the Palettes After the bisque firing, I returned to glaze every palette by hand. I chose tropical-inspired colors that felt bright, cheerful, and relaxing. Soft teal greens, fresh leafy colors, creamy whites, and a vibrant coral flower came together beautifully.

The white palettes almost feel like cheerful white-glazed companions sitting next to the colorful botanical pieces.

The white palettes almost feel like cheerful white-glazed companions sitting next to the colorful botanical pieces.

The white palettes are nice when mixing colors and seeing what you are working with...the colorful palettes are whimsical and fun to look at, albeit a little trickier to use when painting.

The white palettes are nice when mixing colors and seeing what you are working with...the colorful palettes are whimsical and fun to look at, albeit a little trickier to use when painting.

Step 7: Final Firing

Once glazed, the palettes went back into the kiln for their final firing.

Step 7: Final Firing Once glazed, the palettes went back into the kiln for their final firing.

The glossy finish creates an incredibly smooth surface that allows watercolor paints to mix beautifully.

Unlike rough surfaces that grab pigment, glazed ceramic lets paint glide effortlessly while maintaining true color.

The glossy finish creates an incredibly smooth surface that allows watercolor paints to mix beautifully. Unlike rough surfaces that grab pigment, glazed ceramic lets paint glide effortlessly while maintaining true color.

Step 8: Add Cork to the Bottom

After bringing the finished palettes home, I applied thin adhesive cork piece to the bottom of each one.

This simple addition helps:

  • Protect tables
  • Prevent scratches
  • Keep the palettes from sliding during use
  • Give each piece a finished appearance

Step 8: Add Cork to the Bottom After bringing the finished palettes home, I applied thin adhesive cork piece to the bottom of each one. This simple addition helps: Protect tables Prevent scratches Keep the palettes from sliding during use Give each piece a finished appearance

It only takes a few minutes but makes a big difference.

white glazed ceramic watercolour palette, flat and plain, ready to mix watercolours on.

Painting with Ceramic Palettes

Using ceramic instead of plastic has quickly become one of my favorite studio upgrades.

The glazed surface allows watercolor paints to move naturally, making blending colors much easier.

Painting with Ceramic Palettes Using ceramic instead of plastic has quickly become one of my favorite studio upgrades. The glazed surface allows watercolor paints to move naturally, making blending colors much easier.

Because the palettes are non-porous, cleanup is wonderfully simple. A quick rinse with clean water or a baby wipe removes nearly all of the leftover pigment.

Even after multiple painting sessions, they continue looking fresh with very little staining...some of the palettes developed some hairline fractures in the glaze, but honestly, it looks cooler.

Because the palettes are non-porous, cleanup is wonderfully simple. A quick rinse with clean water or a baby wipe removes nearly all of the leftover pigment. Even after multiple painting sessions, they continue looking fresh with very little staining...some of the palettes developed some hairline fractures in the glaze, but honestly, it looks cooler.

The large open spaces also make it easy to mix much paint without running out of room.

The large open spaces also make it easy to mix much paint without running out of room.

Filling the Tiny Watercolor Wells

Once your ceramic palette is completely dry and ready to use, it’s time to add the watercolor paint! 

Filling the Tiny Watercolor Wells Once your ceramic palette is completely dry and ready to use, it’s time to add the watercolor paint!

I chose a bright primary color palette with magenta, blue, and yellow watercolor paints because these three colors can be mixed together to create endless shades and beautiful custom blends. 

I chose a bright primary color palette with magenta, blue, and yellow watercolor paints because these three colors can be mixed together to create endless shades and beautiful custom blends.

Squeeze a small amount watercolor paint into each tiny well, filling them right to the top of the small divot.

Squeeze a small amount watercolor paint into each tiny well, filling them right to the top of the small divot.

No worries if you overfill the wells, as watercolor tends to shrink as it dries.

No worries if you overfill the wells, as watercolor tends to shrink as it dries.

Once all the wells are filled, let the paint dry completely in a dust-free area., lol, who am I kidding here, there are NO dust free areas.

Once all the wells are filled, let the paint dry completely in a dust-free area., lol, who am I kidding here, there are NO dust free areas.

When you’re ready to paint, simply add a little water with your brush, swirl the bristles into the dried watercolor, and watch your handmade ceramic palette come to life!

When you’re ready to paint, simply add a little water with your brush, swirl the bristles into the dried watercolor, and watch your handmade ceramic palette come to life!

More Than Just an Art Supply

These palettes spend just as much time sitting on display as they do holding paint.

More Than Just an Art Supply These palettes spend just as much time sitting on display as they do holding paint.

Their botanical shapes and glossy finishes make them beautiful decorative objects for an art studio, craft room, or creative workspace.

Their botanical shapes and glossy finishes make them beautiful decorative objects for an art studio, craft room, or creative workspace.

They almost become tiny treasures that remind me to slow down and enjoy the creative process.

They almost become tiny treasures that remind me to slow down and enjoy the creative process.

Why Ceramic Makes Such a Great Palette

There are several reasons ceramic palettes have remained popular among artists for generations.

  • Smooth mixing surface
  • Easy cleanup
  • Doesn't stain as easily as plastic palettes
  • Comfortable weight while painting
  • Long-lasting durability
  • Beautiful enough to display
  • Plenty of room for color mixing

Why Ceramic Makes Such a Great Palette There are several reasons ceramic palettes have remained popular among artists for generations. Smooth mixing surface Easy cleanup Doesn't stain as easily as plastic palettes Comfortable weight while painting Long-lasting durability Beautiful enough to display Plenty of room for color mixing

A well ceramic palette often becomes a favorite studio companion because it feels substantial and enjoyable to use every day.

Other Ways to Use These Palettes

Although they were designed for watercolor paints, these palettes are surprisingly versatile and can be used as trinket dishes or coasters.

They also work well with:

  • Gouache
  • Acrylic inks
  • Alcohol ink
  • Metallic watercolors
  • Ink washes
  • Fine art pigments

The glossy ceramic surface allows all of these materials to mix beautifully while cleaning up easily afterward.

A well ceramic palette often becomes a favorite studio companion because it feels substantial and enjoyable to use every day. Other Ways to Use These Palettes Although they were designed for watercolor paints, these palettes are surprisingly versatile and can be used as trinket dishes. They also work well with: Gouache Acrylic inks Alcohol ink Metallic watercolors Ink washes Fine art pigments The glossy ceramic surface allows all of these materials to mix beautifully while cleaning up easily afterward.

Handmade with Heart

One of my favorite parts of this project was being able to create everything by hand while also taking advantage of our wonderful local recreation center.

Handmade with Heart One of my favorite parts of this project was being able to create everything by hand while also taking advantage of our wonderful local recreation center.

I built every piece from clay slabs at home, then brought them in for firing. After the bisque firing, I returned to glaze each palette before they completed the final kiln firing.

I built every piece from clay slabs at home, then brought them in for firing. After the bisque firing, I returned to glaze each palette before they completed the final kiln firing.

That combination of personal craftsmanship and community resources made this project especially rewarding.

That combination of personal craftsmanship and community resources made this project especially rewarding.

Whether these palettes are used every day in the studio or simply admired on a shelf, I hope they inspire countless artistic adventures.

Whether these palettes are used every day in the studio or simply admired on a shelf, I hope they inspire countless artistic adventures.

I love having local access to pottery wheels, kilns, recycled clay, glazes and instructors with years of experience.

Check into your community and see what resources you already have access to!

I love having local access to pottery wheels, kilns, recycled clay, glazes and instructors with years of experience. Check into your community and see what resources you already have access to!

I love the variety of fun sizes, the tiny specs of color in the glazes, and overall--the durable watercolor palette tray options! Ceramic paint palettes are the perfect clay project to begin with!

I love the variety of fun sizes, the tiny specs of color in the glazes, and overall--the durable watercolor palette tray options! Ceramic paint palettes are the perfect clay project to begin with!

That's it!

These handmade ceramic watercolor palettes have quickly become some of my favorite painting tools!

 They offer generous space for mixing colors, feel wonderful to use, and bring a little extra happiness to every creative session. Each one is slightly different, embracing the beauty of handmade craftsmanship rather than factory perfection.

These handmade ceramic watercolor palettes have quickly become some of my favorite painting tools! They offer generous space for mixing colors, feel wonderful to use, and bring a little extra happiness to every creative session. Each one is slightly different, embracing the beauty of handmade craftsmanship rather than factory perfection.

From the tropical flower palette to the botanical leaf designs and classic artist palette, every piece has its own personality and reflects the joy of creating something entirely by hand. 

From the tropical flower palette to the botanical leaf designs and classic artist palette, every piece has its own personality and reflects the joy of creating something entirely by hand.

Whether you're an experienced watercolor artist or just beginning your painting journey, a handmade ceramic palette transforms an everyday painting session into something a little more special—and that's exactly why making them was so much fun.

Like, Pin and Save!

Whether you're an experienced watercolor artist or just beginning your painting journey, a handmade ceramic palette transforms an everyday painting session into something a little more special—and that's exactly why making them was so much fun.


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