Porcelain Spot Plate Mixing Palettes

These porcelain spot plates come straight from the chemistry lab — and they make brilliant studio tools for color mixing and making a good amount of premixture to paint from. Spot plates were developed in the 19th-century for use in chemistry labs. Scientists needed clean, white, non-porous surfaces to test tiny drops of chemicals. The white glazed porcelain made color changes easy to see, and the wells kept each reaction separate. By the early 1900s, the technique — called "spot testing" — was everywhere! Why we love them: We love repurposing tools to use in the studio. It's so handy to have multiple wells to mix different colors in, plus, they're portable and easy to clean! Alexis wraps hers up in a dish towel and travels with them wherever she goes! Because each plate is handmade and glazed each piece's size, finish and texture varies slightly. • 6-well plate: approx. 4.25" x 2.75" — wells about 1" across • 12-well plate: approx. 4.25" x 3.75" — wells about 1" across