<p>Light, Air, AND Temperature. After restricting the air flow like by putting the palette into a container you can put it in the fridge or even the freezer for a longer period. </p>

<p>Some painters immerse the working palette into a recipient of water in the fridge for the best air restriction, because it is oil based the paint is not altered and is workable within an hour of removing from water.</p>

<p>read <a href="http://painting.about.com/od/oilpaintingfaq/f/freezing-oils.htm" rel="noreferrer">http://painting.about.com/od/oilpaintingfaq/f/freezing-oils.htm</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>It's fine to store your oils in the freezer if you're taking a break. The cold temperature will slow the rate of oxidation and evaporation, preserving the paint.(...) "...by early Renaissance times professional supplies of pigments existed ... Prepared oil paints were kept in the studio under water to prevent them from drying out."</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Using left over paint within " the evening or even longer" should not require any special method.
Otherwise, if you add oil to the paint before setting the palette aside it will be work able for days longer, and even longer with a slow dry medium. </p>

<p>The best way is still to use paint little by little so not to have too much left over.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-20T00:46:47.183Z
I expect that temperature being a factor is contingent on the other factors present primarily.
can-ned_food
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T22:14:28.253Z
2016-04-28T22:20:58.617Z
2016-04-28T22:20:58.617Z
Reed -SE is a Fish on Dry Land
<p>Oil paint dries because of air and light (UV), so if you want to slow down the drying process, put it in a dark place without ventilation. You probably want to cover it with something too, just to expose it even less to air.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T17:40:41.513Z
2016-04-28T17:40:41.513Z
Ji Ugug
<p>For longer storage, you can seal the paint inside of an empty paint tube if the amount is fairly large. These can be purchased at better art stores for a couple of dollars and basically lets you work with it like it was any other paint in a tube.</p>

<p>For smaller amounts, you can go your own with aluminum foil. Basically, create a small pouch, doubling up to give it strength, fill it with your paint, then seal it off from the air.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-01T19:20:11.813Z
2016-05-01T19:20:11.813Z
Joanne C
<p>I put a little clove oil on a cotton ball and throw it in my covered palette. The clove oil slows down the oxidation process. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-18T01:04:16.007Z
2018-08-18T01:04:16.007Z
Gary Shollenberger
<p>My mother has been painting professionally for over 70 years, using oil paints. She keeps a fridge in her studio and puts the palette in the fridge overnight at the end of each session, when she has colours mixed that are not used up. Being in the fridge keeps them in the dark as well as keeping them cool (she has spent most of her career in warm countries). If she knows that it may be a few days before she can paint again, she uses clingfilm or similar as well - for longer storage, she puts the palette under a cover as well as using film.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-25T15:10:07.603Z
2018-09-25T15:10:07.603Z
Gaile
<p>Clove oil slows the curing, or cross linking, of linseed based oil paint.  I use a small sponge in a bottle cap and put a few drops of clove oil on it.  Then I place the clove cap on my palette (which is a glass sheet inside a covered rectangular Tupperware) and cover it.  Oil paint will stay fresh for a week or more.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-29T21:34:58.990Z
Welcome to Arts & Crafts.  This idea was suggested in another answer several years ago.  Just a heads up that answers are intended to contribute something that hasn't already been covered.  If you stick around, and I hope you do,  and acquire just a minimal amount of reputation points, the way to indicate that an existing answer is useful is to upvote it. That avoids duplication of information, and helps useful information stand out.  Thanks.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-29T18:29:13.880Z
2022-04-29T18:29:13.880Z
Patricia Leahey Meriam
<p>If you're working with oil paint? Nothing is needed! Paints on a palette will remain workable without any further interaction for a couple of days. Longer than this, consider putting some cling film carefully over the top. If the paints have gone a bit stiff when you come back to them, simply work them carefully with a bit of white spirit or turpentine to loosen them again.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-27T21:56:46.073Z
It is always drying even if slowly, dryers and the amount of solvent in the mix affect the drying speed too, so its good to put the pallet away or cover it if you want to be sure the paint isn't compromised.
rebusB
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T17:46:33.013Z
I don't understand how "Nothing" is a response to "How can you preserve [...]?". Do you mean "Not at all"?
Earthliŋ
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T07:35:09.507Z
2016-04-29T10:25:21.210Z
2016-04-29T10:25:21.210Z
Tom Medley
<p>Sometimes you mix a great color using your palette but then you have to put your work aside for the evening or even longer. So, how can you preserve the colors on your palette until you're ready to use them again?</p>

<preservation><oil-paint>
How can you preserve oil paints on your palette between sessions?
Joanne C
# How can you preserve oil paints on your palette between sessions?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-28)

Sometimes you mix a great color using your palette but then you have to put your work aside for the evening or even longer. So, how can you preserve the colors on your palette until you're ready to use them again?

**Tags:** preservation, oil-paint


---

## 7 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-04-28. Score: 7

Light, Air, AND Temperature. After restricting the air flow like by putting the palette into a container you can put it in the fridge or even the freezer for a longer period.

Some painters immerse the working palette into a recipient of water in the fridge for the best air restriction, because it is oil based the paint is not altered and is workable within an hour of removing from water.

read <http://painting.about.com/od/oilpaintingfaq/f/freezing-oils.htm>

> It's fine to store your oils in the freezer if you're taking a break. The cold temperature will slow the rate of oxidation and evaporation, preserving the paint.(...) "...by early Renaissance times professional supplies of pigments existed ... Prepared oil paints were kept in the studio under water to prevent them from drying out."

Using left over paint within " the evening or even longer" should not require any special method.
Otherwise, if you add oil to the paint before setting the palette aside it will be work able for days longer, and even longer with a slow dry medium.

The best way is still to use paint little by little so not to have too much left over.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I expect that temperature being a factor is contingent on the other factors present primarily.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-04-28. Score: 4

Oil paint dries because of air and light (UV), so if you want to slow down the drying process, put it in a dark place without ventilation. You probably want to cover it with something too, just to expose it even less to air.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2016-04-28. Score: 4

If you're working with oil paint? Nothing is needed! Paints on a palette will remain workable without any further interaction for a couple of days. Longer than this, consider putting some cling film carefully over the top. If the paints have gone a bit stiff when you come back to them, simply work them carefully with a bit of white spirit or turpentine to loosen them again.

> **Comments:**
> **username_10**: I don't understand how "Nothing" is a response to "How can you preserve [...]?". Do you mean "Not at all"?  
> **username_9**: It is always drying even if slowly, dryers and the amount of solvent in the mix affect the drying speed too, so its good to put the pallet away or cover it if you want to be sure the paint isn't compromised.  

---

### Answer by username_0 on 2016-05-01. Score: 2

For longer storage, you can seal the paint inside of an empty paint tube if the amount is fairly large. These can be purchased at better art stores for a couple of dollars and basically lets you work with it like it was any other paint in a tube.

For smaller amounts, you can go your own with aluminum foil. Basically, create a small pouch, doubling up to give it strength, fill it with your paint, then seal it off from the air.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-08-18. Score: 2

I put a little clove oil on a cotton ball and throw it in my covered palette. The clove oil slows down the oxidation process.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2018-09-25. Score: 1

My mother has been painting professionally for over 70 years, using oil paints. She keeps a fridge in her studio and puts the palette in the fridge overnight at the end of each session, when she has colours mixed that are not used up. Being in the fridge keeps them in the dark as well as keeping them cool (she has spent most of her career in warm countries). If she knows that it may be a few days before she can paint again, she uses clingfilm or similar as well - for longer storage, she puts the palette under a cover as well as using film.


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2022-04-29. Score: 0

Clove oil slows the curing, or cross linking, of linseed based oil paint. I use a small sponge in a bottle cap and put a few drops of clove oil on it. Then I place the clove cap on my palette (which is a glass sheet inside a covered rectangular Tupperware) and cover it. Oil paint will stay fresh for a week or more.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: Welcome to Arts & Crafts.  This idea was suggested in another answer several years ago.  Just a heads up that answers are intended to contribute something that hasn't already been covered.  If you stick around, and I hope you do,  and acquire just a minimal amount of reputation points, the way to indicate that an existing answer is useful is to upvote it. That avoids duplication of information, and helps useful information stand out.  Thanks.  

---

