Table of Contents
Quick Verdict
After months of outdoor sketching, this compact watercolor travel palette has proven to be a practical everyday companion. Its thoughtful layout works well out of the box, while two simple DIY modifications make it even more adaptable for longer sessions and larger paper sizes.
The Pros
- Compact & Lightweight: Smartphone-sized design makes it easy to carry for urban sketching and outdoor painting.
- Flexible Paint Storage: Holds up to 12 full pans or 24 half pans, allowing artists to customize their color selection.
- Thoughtful Features: Built-in water well, dual mixing wells, four brush slots, and a paper clip keep essential tools within reach.
- DIY-Friendly Design: The lightweight body and magnetic lid allow for practical upgrades, including a tripod mount and an extended drawing board.
Customization Tips
- Limited Original Easel Size: The built-in magnetic lid works best with postcard-sized paper, with A5 being the comfortable upper limit for the author.
- Optional DIY Upgrades: A tripod mount and magnetic extension board can make the setup more versatile, but require additional materials and hands-on modifications.
Last July, I won a FUUMUUI Watercolor Month Challenge and received a compact watercolor travel palette as my prize. Little did I know, this tiny 3D-printed piece of gear would become an essential part of my outdoor sketching routine.
From quick street studies to live painting sessions with Bandung Sketchwalk and Urban Sketchers Bandung, it instantly became my go-to companion for painting outdoors. But beyond its portability, what really won me over was its potential for customization. With just two simple DIY modifications, I transformed a great travel palette into my dream mobile studio.
First Impressions: Compact, Modular, and Smart
For artists considering different palette styles, materials, and sizes, choosing the right paint palette can make a real difference.
At roughly the size of a smartphone, the Fuumuui Portable Watercolor Palette Set slips effortlessly into any bag. Made from lightweight 3D-printed plastic, it feels comfortable in hand during long sessions on your feet.
Despite its miniature footprint, the original design offers a surprisingly versatile range of features:
- Custom Palette Layout: Room for up to 12 full pans or 24 half pans (I've tailored mine to hold 14 half pans plus one full pan).
- Integrated Water Well & Cup Slot: Built-in water compartment with an extra mounting slot for an external cup.
- Smart Storage: Four dedicated brush slots and a bonus paper clip for securing smaller sheets.
- Dual Mixing Wells: Separate surfaces for mixing washes.
- Included Gear: Comes paired with a dual-tip travel brush.
For quick sketches on the go, the stock design is wonderfully practical. When standing, I can comfortably hold it by slipping my fingers through the cup slot. When sitting, it takes up virtually no tabletop space.
Yet, as I took it out on more extensive field trips, a few limitations began to show.
Hitting the Road: The Outdoor Bottlenecks
My painting process outdoors usually looks like this: I'm either standing in the middle of a bustling street or settled into a collapsible camping chair.
As good as the palette was, two things held me back during longer sessions:
- No Hands-Free Option: Holding the palette continuously while juggling brushes and water gets tiring after an hour or two.
- Easel Size Limits: The built-in magnetic lid works well as an easel for postcard-sized paper, with A5 being about the largest size I'd comfortably recommend. But I regularly work on larger sheets—1/8 imperial, A4, and occasionally A3.
Because the body is made of lightweight plastic, I realized I could modify it myself to better fit my workflow.
Mod 1: Adding a 1/4-Inch Tripod Mount
While FUUMUUI offers palette variants with built-in tripod mounts, my prize version came without one. I wanted the freedom to set up a hands-free painting station anywhere.
Here is how I retrofitted it:
- Sourced a standard 1/4-inch threaded insert (typically used for woodwork).
- Heated the insert carefully.
- Slowly pressed it into the bottom of the plastic palette housing at my chosen mounting point.
The Result: The palette can now be mounted directly onto a compatible mini tripod or light stand. I can sit comfortably in my camping chair, position the palette at the perfect height and angle, and keep both hands free to paint.
Mod 2: The Extended Magnetic Acrylic Board
To solve the paper size restriction, I took advantage of the palette's existing design. The lid already uses built-in magnets to keep the case securely closed when stored.
I decided to make a custom extension board:
- Started with a standard acrylic sheet.
- Attached matching magnets to the board.
- Used the existing magnets on the palette to hold the board securely in place.
The Result: The extension board stays stable while I'm painting, giving me a larger and more reliable surface for bigger sheets. I no longer have to worry about the board shifting or wobbling with every brushstroke.
Final Verdict: Adapted to the Way I Paint
After months of field testing, this setup has become the backbone of my urban sketching kit.
Paired with the FUUMUUI 3-in-1 Travel Brush, it strikes the ideal balance between compact design and everyday practicality. Whether I'm joining a sketchwalk on foot or working on a larger painting with my palette mounted on a tripod, the setup simply adapts to my needs.
Is it the urban sketching kit I've been looking for? It comes remarkably close.
If you're looking for a portable watercolor palette for urban sketching and don't mind a little hands-on DIY tweaking, this travel palette is a fantastic starting point for building your own personalized mobile sketching setup.
