There's tons of basing you can make from common materials. From the basic sand (available at playgrounds and masonry jobs world-wide) to items you can pick up in grocery and hardware stores. Check out:

Various: http://thepaintingcorps.blogspot.com...ng-part-i.html
Cork: http://thepaintingcorps.blogspot.com...rk-basing.html
Linoleum tile: http://thepaintingcorps.blogspot.com...le-basing.html
Spackle/wood filler: http://thepaintingcorps.blogspot.com...le-basing.html

And for the wet palette, you can probably get that at the grocery store:
http://thepaintingcorps.blogspot.com...t-palette.html
http://thepaintingcorps.blogspot.com...t-palette.html