How to Make Metal Tin Watercolor Ceramic Palette DIY

There is something magical about creating a handmade tool that is not only useful but beautiful enough to be considered a little work of art. These tiny DIY ceramic palettes started as a simple ball of clay and transformed into the perfect portable watercolor companion.

I love making functional art — pieces that can be used every day while still feeling special. These handmade ceramic palettes are the perfect example. They are small enough to tuck into a bag, sturdy enough for travel, and just the right size for painting on the go.

Plus, because they are handmade, every palette has its own personality. No two will ever be exactly alike!

Handmade Ceramic Palettes From Clay

This project started with a simple idea: create a tiny ceramic paint palette that would fit perfectly inside a small metal tin.

Those little hinged tins are the perfect size for travel art supplies. They are lightweight, protective, and easy to carry. Instead of buying a manufactured palette, I wanted to create something completely custom.

Using earthenware clay, I shaped each palette by hand and created three small paint wells. These pockets would hold individual watercolor colors while leaving enough open space for mixing.

The process is a little bit of science mixed with creativity because clay changes dramatically throughout the process.

When you create something from clay, it starts out larger than the finished piece. As it dries and goes through firing, the clay shrinks. This is something every ceramic artist has to plan for.

Since I wanted my ceramic palettes to fit snugly inside the metal tins, I intentionally made them about 10% larger than the final size I needed.

That shrinkage allowance ended up being really important!

Supplies Needed for Travel Watercolor Palettes

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• earthenware clay
• small metal hinged tins (Altoid-style tins)
• clay tools
• smooth surface for working
• kiln access for firing
• ceramic glaze
• Dremel tool (optional)
• sidewalk or concrete surface for smoothing edges
• Tube watercolor paints
• paintbrush

Creating the Clay Palette Shape

Start with a small amount of clay and condition it until it is soft and workable.

Roll the clay into a ball of clay, then flatten it into a small slab. You want a thickness that feels sturdy but still lightweight enough for a travel palette.

To start, I created three small recessed sections for watercolor pans. These little wells hold individual colors while leaving the center and edges available for mixing.

After creating the 3 wells, now it's time to cut the shape of the palette to fit inside the tin...but a little bit bigger to account for clay shrinkage.

Using your fingers or clay tools, shape the edges and create the overall footprint of the palette.

The goal is to make a piece that will eventually nest inside your metal tin.

Once the shape was complete, I placed the clay on a smooth surface and refined the edges.

A smooth surface helps prevent unwanted texture and gives the finished ceramic piece a cleaner appearance.

Remember to Plan for Clay Shrinkage

This is the most important part of making handmade ceramic pieces that need to fit another object.

Clay shrinks during:

1. Drying
2. Bisque firing
3. Final glaze firing

Because of this, measuring the wet clay piece to match the final size will usually leave you with something too small.

For this project, I oversized the palettes by about 10%. After both firings, they were very close to the perfect size for the tins.

After glazing them white and the final firing, they fit almost perfectly — but there was one little problem.

The edges were slightly rough, and they needed a little finishing touch after glazing.

Glazing the Ceramic Palettes

After the first firing, it was time to add color...in this case, white.

I glazed the palettes and sent them back through the kiln for their final firing.

The glaze transforms the raw clay into a finished ceramic piece that is durable, washable, and ready for everyday use.

While many ceramic pieces are created purely as decorative objects, I love when handmade pottery has a purpose.

A handmade ceramic paint palette is both functional and artistic — something you can use while painting and also appreciate as a tiny piece of handmade pottery.

The Sidewalk Ceramic Finishing Trick

My original plan was to use a Dremel tool to carefully smooth down the edges.

That would have worked, but after looking at each palette and realizing how many areas needed smoothing, I knew it would take forever.

Then I had a much simpler idea.

I grabbed the ceramic pieces, went outside, sat right on the sidewalk, and gently rubbed the edges against the concrete.

And honestly?

It worked beautifully.

The sidewalk acted almost like a giant piece of sandpaper. By moving the ceramic palette back and forth over the rough surface, the uneven edges smoothed down quickly and evenly.

Within minutes, the palettes had clean edges and fit perfectly inside the tins.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones!

This technique would work well for small ceramic projects whenever you need to gently adjust a fired piece. Just remember to wear appropriate safety protection and avoid creating or breathing in ceramic dust.

Filling the Mini Travel Watercolor Palette

Once the ceramic palettes were complete and fitted inside the tins, I added watercolor.

I chose Mameriblu watercolor in three vibrant colors:

• blue
• yellow
• magenta

These three colors create the perfect little travel setup because they can be mixed together to create so many different shades.

Incidentally, I got these 3 Star Wars themed tins at the Dollar Tree decades ago and have just been saving them for the perfect project!

The three pockets hold enough paint for a portable painting session, while the open ceramic surface gives plenty of room for blending and mixing.

It is amazing how much creativity can fit inside such a tiny container!

Why Make a Handmade Ceramic Paint Palette?

There are plenty of inexpensive plastic watercolor palettes available, but there is something special about painting with tools you created yourself.

A handmade palette:

• feels personal
• becomes part of your creative process
• makes a thoughtful handmade gift
• is reusable and durable
• looks beautiful sitting in your art supplies

Unlike an old palette that has been replaced and forgotten, a handmade ceramic palette becomes a keepsake.

Every paint mark and color stain becomes part of its story.

Perfect for Travel Painting

These mini watercolor tins are exactly what I wanted — compact, functional, and beautiful.

They are small enough to carry in a purse, backpack, or art bag, making them perfect for:

• vacation painting
• nature journaling
• urban sketching
• plein air painting
• creative retreats

The ceramic surface feels wonderful for mixing colors, and the tin protects the palette when it is closed.

It is a tiny creative companion that encourages you to stop and paint whenever inspiration strikes.

That's it!

This project started with a simple idea and a little bit of clay, but the result is something I will use for years.

Creating ceramic palettes is such a satisfying project because it combines pottery, painting, and creativity all in one.

From shaping a ball of clay, to smoothing the edges on the sidewalk, to filling the finished palette with bright watercolor, every step adds personality.

Sometimes the best handmade projects are not the biggest or most complicated ones.

Sometimes they are the tiny creations that fit perfectly in your hand and inspire you to make something beautiful wherever you go.

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