acrilics - usage question(s)

[Darkside]

hi guys, just bought some acrylics but don´t really have a clue about getting started. when I paint, my palette isn´t organized in any way.
how do you set your palette up? black n white at the top row and on the side the colors? and how do you get the values mixed with the colors?
when you have a value, do you put a swatch on the palette or do you mix on the fly?
and do I have to clean up the brush when picking a new color?
ah, many questions, hope to get some answers ;)

[figure2]

Whether you set up your colors along the side or top doesn't matter, it just needs to be a workable configuration for you.

When I set up my palette I always group colors into families from dark to light. Example: I start with the reds, in order- Alizarin Crimson, Cad Red Medium, Cad Red Light. Next come the Yellows: Raw Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Naples Yellow, Cad Yellow light...you get the idea.

I learned this setup from a painting teacher back in art school and still use it today. Basically you want to get into the habit of reaching for the same spot on your palette whenever you need a specific color. This makes working with your palette a lot more efficient.

[Darkside]

thx for answering.
k, I thought about configurating but how do you mix then? make different swatches for the different colors and values? I have no idea, perhaps I´m complicating things but..oh well.

[Darkside]

alright, things are much, much clearer now.
but... :)
do I have to clean up the brush, dip in water, wipe at paper, every time I want to pick another color?

[figure2]

...perhaps I´m complicating things but..oh well.
Yeah, I would say so.

Lay out a palette, set up a surface to paint on and figure out what works for you. No other way around it.