Want to simplify your life? Buy less colors.
Here’s how I use a very limited palette to mix every color I need.
Why use a limited palette when you can buy every color under the sun premixed for you?
Besides saving money, when you mix your own colors you do two main things.
- The painting will be more harmonized because all of the oranges, purples, greens, greys, and browns come from the same blue/yellow/red.
- You start learning how to use color more intuitively (which is very empowering!)
Years ago I started painting outside and quickly realized that it’s extremely difficult when you don’t know how to mix colors. So I made it my mission to use a very limited palette which would force me to learn how to mix my oranges, purples, greens, greys, and browns.
But, can you really mix everything you need with only 6 tubes of paint??
(colors change regularly, see below for what is usually in the palette)
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What’s in my Portable Painter Micro:
- Titanium White aka “permanent white” (BUY)
- Ultramarine Blue (BUY)
- Cobalt Turquoise Light (BUY)
- Cadmium-free Lemon Yellow (BUY)
- Quinacridone Magenta (BUY)
- Burnt Umber (BUY)
Portable Painter Micro with custom pans (available through their website). I also added a full pan for white.
If you’re concerned about the paint leaking out, just put some cling film over the paint, close tightly and wrap in a rubber band.
Yes, you can mix all the colors with a limited palette, but this depends greatly on which primary colors you choose. Last year I experimented with a bunch of different combinations. But I think I’ve finally settled on 6 tubes that allow me to paint everything I need.
I have two blues because each one adds something unique, particularly with greens. I’d happily add Schmincke Titanium Gold Ochre (buy) to this list if I had space, but white is super important and I use more of that than any color, so it gets two spaces. Could I live without black? Yes, of course. But it makes life easier especially to quickly neutralize any mix and for making earthy tones.
So here’s just a small taste of what I can mix with this tiny palette:
As you can see there are a HUGE amount of colors that are possible even with only six tubes. And this isn’t even everything. The main color I struggle to mix is a match for cobalt turquoise light, which is a very special color and I use it a lot for seascapes. I can get close with ultramarine, helio turquoise, and lemon yellow (maybe a bit of white). And when that is placed next to a reddish tone, it looks more turquoise, so it works.
I hope this inspires you to try a limited palette.
Hi Sarah! I’m looking to purchase the WN Introductory Set with 10 colours as it’s half price atm! I’m wanting to add gouache to my kit as currently I’m a watercolour gal, but what I love most about gouache is the opacity, and the fact that I could water it down if I want to. I would love to buy individual colours because colour mixing can really stress me out and I’m afraid to waste paint, but I just can’t afford it. Holbein have lovely colour sets at a good price, but WN sounds like it would be a better formula for me. Your post has inspired me to try the limited palette, but I’m still nervous!
The set includes Primary Yellow, Permanent Yellow Deep, Spectrum Red, Primary Red, Ultramarine, Primary Blue, Permanent Green Middle, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black, and Zinc White. This may be a stretch to ask (apologies, no pressure ❤️), but have you any experience mixing with those colours? Are there any colours (with different undertones maybe) I should buy separately to add to that collection?
Otherwise I’m thinking I’ll just grab your set here as singles since I know what to expect!
I know it’s an old post, but it’s so helpful, thank you so much for posting it!
That’s a great starter set. I might add cobalt turquoise light as I find that really useful and beautiful. And burnt umber. Maybe an extra white. Once you get them, do lots of playing and mixing, taking notes of your favorite combinations. Eventually that becomes second nature as you get a feel for them. And you’ll start to gravitate towards certain mixes.
Hi Sarah! I’m new to gouache and wondering if these are still your top picks for a limited pallet. I just noticed it’s a couple of years old. Thanks so much!
Oh! Never mind this looks like the most recent one. 🤦🏼♀️😂
This is definitely still a great limited palette. Perhaps the only thing I’d change is swap burnt umber with black.
Amazing! And I can see the lamp black and ultramarine produces an excellent earth colour. Thank you for all your work! By the way, after quite a few emails Jacksons have said they will stock the Micro Palette extension pass!!! They expect them in April, so keep a look out and maybe you can put a link on your supplies list…I told them I was sure there would be a great demand! Clare Garrett
PS I seem to have to fill in my details every time to comment.
That’s great news! I wouldn’t be surprised if they quickly sell out.
Hmm I’ll look into the spam settings on my comments (I think that helps reduce bots), thanks for letting me know.