Quick answer
For acrylics, choose the Crafter's Companion Mixing Palette for its swirling compartments that keep thick paint separate; for watercolor, the Spectrum Noir Mixing Palette's petal shape gives you ample wells for diluting washes.
Why palette shape matters for different paints
Acrylic paint dries fast, so a palette with separate compartments helps you keep colors from blending unintentionally. The Crafter's Companion Mixing Palette uses swirling compartments that physically separate each color, making it easier to work with thick acrylics without cross-contamination.
Watercolor relies on controlled dilution. A palette with multiple wells or petal-like sections lets you create graded washes without flooding your main color puddles. The Spectrum Noir Mixing Palette's petal shape provides distinct areas for mixing and diluting.
Material and durability trade-offs
Both palettes are made from white plastic, which helps you see true color values. White surfaces also make it easier to judge how much water or medium you've added.
The Crafter's Companion palette is designed for repeated use with water-reactive media like shimmer sprays and inkpads. Its smooth surface cleans easily, but heavy scrubbing may scratch it over time. The Spectrum Noir palette is more compact and lightweight, ideal for travel or quick projects.
How to choose: decision rules
- Paint type: If you primarily use acrylics, choose the Crafter's Companion Mixing Palette for its separate compartments. If you work mostly with watercolor, the Spectrum Noir Mixing Palette's petal shape gives you better control over dilutions.
- Portability: The Spectrum Noir palette is compact and lightweight, easy to slip into a bag for workshops or outdoor painting. The Crafter's Companion palette is larger and better suited for a desk or tabletop setup. If you paint on the go, lean toward the Spectrum Noir palette.
- Media compatibility: The Crafter's Companion palette works with watercolor, shimmer sprays, and water-reactive inkpads, making it more versatile for mixed-media projects. The Spectrum Noir palette is optimized for ink and watercolor.
Product facts at a glance
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Spectrum Noir Mixing Palette: The white Spectrum Noir mixing palette is petal-shaped and designed for mixing inks to create new colors. The petal shape gives you multiple small wells that are perfect for diluting watercolor or testing ink blends without wasting paint.
Spectrum Noir Mixing Palette
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Crafter's Companion - Mixing Palette: The Crafter's Companion Paint Mixing Palette features swirling compartments for smooth blending and works with watercolor, shimmer sprays, and water-reactive inkpads. The swirling compartments keep different colors physically separated, making it ideal for acrylics and other fast-drying paints that you don't want to mix accidentally.
Crafter's Companion - Mixing Palette
Which palette fits you?
Best for
- Acrylic painters who need separate compartments to prevent fast-drying paint from blending
- Mixed-media artists using shimmer sprays, inkpads, and watercolor together
Not for
- Artists who need a large, flat surface for broad washes or palette knife mixing
- Travelers who prefer a ultra-compact, pocket-sized palette
