Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight, rigid and has smooth surfaces. It is a warm-colored palette that helps painters perceive colors accurately.
To seal a wood palette use boiled linseed oil and a lint free rag or high quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the surface of the wood palette. Repeat every day, both back and front.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette allows all your oil paints right to your fingertips. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them across your canvas or board. It's also a great method to keep your brushes at your fingertips. I've discovered that using a palette like this really cuts down on the amount of time I'm shifting my body to grab and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it aids with my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to withstand water and standard artist solvents or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you should seal it before you start painting - this will make it less adsorbent of the oils used in your oil paints. Put a small amount of linseed onto your palette, and then rub in with a clean cotton rag. Then wipe off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed prior using it by adding a few drops of it to an oil medium that is brown, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This allows me to imagine the way my shadows appear on the wood. The tone will also help me to differentiate between light and dark values in my paintings.
With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. It will get more opaque and smooth thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it little and the pigments mixing together to form their own varnish-like coating. It's beautiful to see.
Some artists employ a clear acrylic varnish to seal their palettes made of wood. This protects the wood and also give it a stunning shine. However, I've found that the traditional method of applying thin coats of linseed oil is perfectly for me. It takes a bit more time than polyurethane, but it is worth it since you can apply a coat every time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the classic option for acrylic and oil painting. It has a large solid, stable surface that blocks the absorption of color and facilitates color mixing. It also makes cleaning easy and quick with a quick wipe of a cloth or paper towel after every use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found in many stores selling arts and crafts.
There are many options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are lightweight. They also withstand damage caused by solvents. They are easy to clean using warm soapy water and are used for a wide range of materials, including acrylics. They are usually available in several sizes with deep wells for color mixing.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. These plates are reusable and inexpensive which means they can be used only once for an entire painting session. This makes them a great choice for plein-air painting. However, they may absorb paint, which could make it difficult to clean.
One of the most effective alternatives for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce with a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole also helps to keep the fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes using common items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic could be a great place to begin. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also an excellent option. These can be found at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually quite attractive. You can also try using a piece of tin foil, which will resist the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
A palette made of stay-wet is an alternative to the DIY palette that is very popular. They are essentially an empty plastic container with a secure lid. You moisten a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you put an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep paint wet. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will stay moist for several days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper gets dry.
Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists
Whether you are painting watercolors or oil paints, a wooden palette can be an excellent option. They are lighter than other options such as glass or paper, and are also strong enough to be able to be handled easily. They also have internal cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, which makes them comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They have a satin finish that allows paint to be able to sit on top of the surface without being absorbed. Additionally, they can be cleaned easily over time.
The wooden palette was among the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are an essential part of many studios. They have an elegant and professional appearance and are perfect for mixing oils, alkyds and acrylics. In addition they are usually produced using sustainable forestry practices. This is why using a wooden palette can be a green option for the contemporary artist.
The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is frequent cleaning and oiling. Reapplying linseed oil or a specialized wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the lifespan of the palette. Depending on the kind of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as simple as pouring a puddle of oil into the center of the palette and then wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists choose to personalize wooden palettes using initials or decorative elements. This is a fantastic method to make your palette feel as if it's part of your artwork, and to give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalized palettes have lids that can lock in the place, which is a nice feature for traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes, as artists post photos of their beautifully arranged sets to inspire others. These visual cues serve as an encouragement to paint on a pallet made of wood is a rewarding, artistic experience. When you continue painting with your wooden palette it will become a beloved piece of equipment that reminds you of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint pallet the first thing we imagine is an old wooden one used by masters of the past. Although they are still used by some artists but these palettes aren't ideal for acrylics or watercolors because the surface is porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was invented to solve this problem. These new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is robust and won't break should you drop it. buy pallets uk are also available in various sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that is comfortable to hold and fit into your hand when you work.
These new palettes are called "stay wet" palettes due to the fact that they keep your paints wet and functional for a lengthy time after you've finished painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint is tacky (like butter). Use a paper towel to get rid of any oil that has accumulated, and ensure that it gets into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, assists the palette retain pigment and oil while allowing the hairs of the brush to flow through the wood easily.
A drying oil such as linseed, or walnut, can be used to prepare a wooden palette. Apply it using an abrasive on the surface. This will help to protect the wood and make it more resistant to water and solvents. This also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes, such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option because it won't absorb the paint too much and it's easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to choose a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and it feels more comfortable in my hands. I love the idea of continuing the legacy of the previous masters.