Lasercut Mini Mint Tin Watercolor Palette
Intro: Lasercut Mini Mint Tin Watercolor Palette
Make a tiny watercolor palette from a mint tin for on the go sketching!
Watercolors in mint tins were not my idea, though I can't remember where I saw them first! My addition is to lasercut the holes for the paints, because I could never make the holes-poked-in-polymer-clay version look nice.
If you're the sort who doesn't like instructions, the files for the lasercut bit are here. :)
STEP 1: Empty and Clean a Mint Tin
Empty and clean out an Altoids mini mint tin (the lasercutter files for this tutorial are designed to fit that size, but you can also use them as a starting point for your own size tin!)
STEP 2: Lasercut Pieces and Glue
Lasercut or CNC-mill a full palette or a palette with sponge/brush area (link to files on Thingiverse) out of 1/4" acrylic. Use E-6000 glue or equivalent to glue it into the tin. I actually used two pieces of 1/8" and glued them together before gluing them into the tin.
STEP 3: Paint Inside of Lid With Enamel
Add white enamel paint to inside of lid to create a place to mix colors! The trick I discovered to avoid air bubbles (though I imagine there are many more tips to be found in the tiny-model-painting community) is to start with a very thin coat.
STEP 4: Fill With Paint
Use watercolor tubes to fill with paint. If I'm making a lot of these, I put the paint in a little squeeze bottle, along with a little water. Makes it easier to fill them neatly!
STEP 5: Add Sponge
Cut approximately 1/2" off a rectangular makeup sponge with a pair of sharp scissors, then tuck the sponge into the tin.
STEP 6: Make Tiny Paintbrush
I prefer to carry one of these with a waterbrush for very functional on the go sketching, but tiny brushes are a pretty cute addition. Take a regular paintbrush, cut to fit, taper with pencil sharpener, smooth end with sandpaper.
STEP 7: Add Water Bottle
Tiny soy sauce bottles from Daiso make perfect tiny water containers.
STEP 8: Decorate
Trace the top of the lid onto decorative paper. Cut a 1/4" strip for around the edge. Attach and smooth down with Mod Podge (decoupage glue). If desired, protect with spray acrylic when dry.
13 Comments
ilagowski 9 years ago
maybe you could sell these laser cut inserts on etsy. I'm sure a lot of people would be interested, and hey you could make a few bucks for art supplies
Natalie Freed 9 years ago
Thanks for the idea! I've definitely been considering this, I'll post an update if I get it set up.
Diy_kitty 9 years ago
Natalie Freed 9 years ago
twalls1 9 years ago
daisy_kay17 9 years ago
Natalie Freed 9 years ago
Yay! I love tiny things too. :)
twalls1 9 years ago
Natalie Freed 9 years ago
Not sure what details you need on the lasercutter? A lasercutter uses a moving laser to cut out any design you can make on a computer. There may be a local makerspace, hackerspace, library, or TechShop near you that has one you can use. There are also services that will cut files for you out of a variety of materials, such as Ponoko (but I find them rather expensive).
hettye 9 years ago
that's adorable, I can't wait to make one, or a dozen. would duck tape work to cover the top? I wonder what other media could be used this way? Thank you so much for this instructable
Natalie Freed 9 years ago
elviriuxi 9 years ago
tofugami 9 years ago