Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with a smooth surface. It also has warm tones that allow artists to see colors clearly when painting.
Use boiled linseed and an unlinty rag or paper towel to protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the the wood palette. Repeat daily, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette can bring all your oil paints right at your fingertips. This makes it a lot easier to mix colors and move them across the surface of your canvas or board. It's also a great method to keep your brushes at hand. I've noticed that a palette like this can reduce the amount of time I spend shifting my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps me with my accuracy and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that have been sealed and stained (to repel water and conventional solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you should seal it prior to painting - this makes it less able to absorb of the oils you use in your oil paints. Put a small amount of Linseed onto the palette, and then rub it in with a clean cotton rag. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette before using it by adding a few drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the linseed oil. This allows me to visualize how my shadows will appear on the wood. Tone can also help me distinguish between light and dark values in my paintings.
A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop an exquisite patina over time. It will become more opaque and smooth thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it a bit and the pigments blending together to form a varnish-like coating. It's stunning to look at.
Some artists prefer to apply a clear acrylic sealer on their wooden palettes - this can protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I have found that the old method of applying several thin coats of linseed oil is perfectly for me. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane, but it's worth the wait since you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette, and it will only improve with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the classic choice for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large and stable area that is resistant to absorption of pigment and encourages mixing of colors. After each use, a quick wipe with a cloth or paper towel makes cleanup easy. pallet buying and crafts stores offer wooden palettes, which are inexpensive.
For a modern acrylic painter, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes are a lighter option that is resistant to damage from solvents and also have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, among other materials. They are available in different sizes and have deep wells that allow mixing colors.
A dish made of paper or styrofoam is a different option for acrylic painting. They are cheap and disposable, which means they can be used for only one painting session, which makes them a perfect option for plein air painting. However, they can absorb paint, which could make them difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded wood, such as pine or spruce that has a thumbhole, is among the best options to make an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. This allows the artist to hold the palette by inserting the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers free to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some painters make their own wooden palettes out of household items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be an excellent place to begin. Glass or ceramic dishes are also good choices. You can find them at auctions and thrift shops. They are typically beautiful. You can also make use of an aluminum foil that can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A palette made of stay-wet is a substitute for the homemade palette that is extremely popular. These are essentially containers made of plastic with an airtight lid. You place a sponge at the bottom and wet with water, then place a piece of special paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be sealed and will keep the sponge and paper wet for several days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper gets dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is a fantastic option for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lightweight compared to other options, especially paper and glass and are sturdy enough to make it easy to handle. They also have internal cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, making them comfortable to hold for long periods of time while you work. They feature a satin-finished finish that lets paint rest on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, they can be cleaned easily for years of use.
The wooden palette was among the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are a vital component of many studios. They provide an elegant, professional look and are perfect for mixing acrylics, oils, and alkyds. In addition they are typically made from sustainable forest practices. In this way, using a wooden palette may be a sustainable option for the contemporary artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is essential to the longevity of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oils or a special wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and prolong the lifespan of the palette. Depending on the kind of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as simple as pouring a small amount of oil into the middle of the palette and then wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes with initials or decorative elements. This is an excellent method to make the palette appear as an extension of your artwork and give a sense of historical significance to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock in place. This is a great feature for traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautiful arrangements to inspire others. These visual cues serve as an example of how painting on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding artistic experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment and an excellent reminder of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a palette to paint, the first image that comes to mind is one made of wood, used by old masters. Although they are still used by some painters, these palettes are not suitable for use with watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs the paint too much. However, a new kind of palette for painting has been developed to solve this issue. These new palettes have been made from tempered glass which is extremely durable and won't break if dropped. They are also available in various sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can choose one that is comfortable to hold and fits in your hand while working.
These new palettes are known as "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints wet and able to work for a long time after you've completed painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Use a paper towel to remove any excess oil and ensure that it gets into all grooves of the wood grain. This process, referred to as seasoning, enables the palette to hold the oil and pigment while allowing brushhairs to pass easily.
Another way to prepare a wooden palette is by using a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and applying it on the surface of the palette using a rag. This will help to seal the wood and make it resistant to solvents and water. This also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when wet.
Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes, such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a good choice because it won't absorb the paint too much and it's easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the idea that I'm preserving the tradition of the previous masters!