What is a grey jar?  How do I get one and what does it do?

The first answer is actually very simple….you make one.

jar of multicoloured paint mixed together to make a blue grey

Artist Leah Gay’s grey jar with acrylic paints

A grey jar is the ultimate in reducing waste in your studio.  Its the scapings of good paint that are left on your palette that can be saved to use for another day.

Oils & Acrylics

Grey Jars can be made for either oil paints or acrylics.   It’s best done where the paint has not been combined with mediums that may contaminate the mixture.  It is also essential that no water ends up in the jar as it will turn the paint.  This is probably more relevant for your acrylics rather than your oil painters.

Loosening Up The Paint

If your grey jar is getting a bit stiff then add in a little bit of painting medium.

For acrylics add in some clear or middle medium by Atelier.

For your oils a touch of linseed oil should do the job.

Using Your Grey Jar

Your grey jar can be used in a multitude of ways including:

  • toning colours
  • blocking in backgrounds
What is special about your grey jar?

Your grey jar is yours, tailored very specifically to your palette because it contains the colours that you use.  This means it will be complementary in your artwork and distinctively individual.  Over time the tone may change as you alter what you use but there will never be another grey jar in someone else’s studio quite like yours.

Even The Paint Makers Get In On The Action

Have you heard of Gamblin’s Torrit grey?  It’s Gamblin’s very own grey jar, brought to you as a special edition of grey every year.  It is made from the collection of pigments in the filtration systems that they use to protect their workers.   It varies year to year and tends from a medium to dark earthy grey.  From Gamblin’s website they say:

Torrit Grey is always unique and will never be repeated

European paint makers, Schmincke also make their own annual grey called ‘random grey’.  Made from pastel pigment excess, it is part of their Norma Professional Oil Paint range.

So grab an empty jar in kitchen and get started on making your very own grey jar.