SOL PAINT PALETTE
ME128: Computer Aided Product Realization
Collaboration with Kat Schroeder Mora
Fall 2022
Processes
- CNC machining
- Wood working
Materials
- Aluminum
- Pine
- Glass
Design Goal
Design a paint palette that can be used for both oil paints and acrylic or watercolor paints. The design must interface with a 10" square plate of tempered glass for oil paint mixing and provide a cover for this plate to prevent the paints from drying out. The design should also be aesthetically pleasing in order to foster creativity when used.
My Role
This project is a collaboration with my sister, a fine artist and painter. I took on the role of designing and manufacturing the structure of the palette. They are taking on the role of painting the wooden body and sculpting details out of clay.
Results
The completed structures of the palette includes a CNC milled aluminum center plate. This plate incorporates a sunburst design made up of pockets that can be filled with acrylic of watercolor paints radiating from a center pocket to be filled with water for washing brushes. The handles on the sides allow for easy carrying. The glass plate can be placed on the top when painting with oil paints or slid into the wooden base by removing the magnetically attached side plate when storing oil paints for future use.
I intentionally left the wood unfinished and did not include raised corners to hold the glass plate in place so that my sibling, Kat, can finish the palette in their style. The photo to the right shows their mockup for adding painted and clay elements to finish the palette.
