Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light, rigid and has a smooth surface. It also has a warm tone that helps artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
Make use of boiled linseed, a lint-free rag or paper towel to seal the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, both back and front.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are at your fingertips using an wooden palette. This makes it easy to mix colors and move the paints across your board or canvas. It's also a great way to keep your brushes close at the ready. I've noticed that a palette like this really cuts down on the amount of time I'm moving my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it aids in my accuracy and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to resist the effects of water and standard solvents for artists or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood before painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. Put a small amount of linseed on the palette, then rub it into it with a non-lint rag. Then, wipe off any excess and your palette is ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops of it to a brown medium, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me see the shadows I'll create in my paintings and it helps me observe how the colors appear against the wood. Tone also helps me distinguish between light and dark values in my artwork.
A well-used wooden palette will form a beautiful patina with time. The oil from your paints will stain the wood and the pigments will combine to form a varnish-like finish. It's beautiful to see.
Some artists prefer to apply an acrylic sealer that is clear on their wooden palettes, this will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, used pallets for sale 've found that the traditional method of applying thin coats of linseed oil is perfectly for me. It takes a bit more time than using polyurethane, but it's worth the wait because you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette and it will only get better with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the classic option for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large, stable area that resists absorption of pigment and encourages color mixing. After each use, a quick wiping with paper towels or a cloth makes cleanup simple. The majority of craft stores carry wooden palettes, which are affordable.
If you are a modern acrylic artist there are numerous palette options. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that is resistant to damage from solvents and also have an anti-stick coating. They are easy to clean with warm soapy water and are used with a variety of materials including acrylics. They are typically available in several sizes with deep wells to mix colors.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. These plates are easily disposable and cost-effective which means they can only be used once for the duration of a painting session. This is why they are a great option for plein-air painting. They can take in some paint though, which could be difficult to wash.
A piece of sanded wood such as spruce or pine with a thumbhole, is among the best options to make an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. The thumb can be inserted into the opening to allow the artist to hold the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole helps to stop fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists create their own wooden palettes from household items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic can be a great place to start. You can also choose old ceramic or glass dishes. These can be found at yard sales or in thrift shops and are usually pretty. You can also try an tin foil piece, which will resist the absorption of paint and will be easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet plastic palette. These are basically a plastic box with an airtight lid. You moisten a sponge with water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you add an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep the paint damp. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will remain moist for several days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper gets dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
When you're painting watercolors or oil paints, the wooden palette is the best option. They are light compared to other options, especially glass and paper and are strong enough to make it easy to handle. They also have interior cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, making them comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to sit on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, they are easily cleaned for years of use.
The wooden palette was one of the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are an essential part of many studios. They have an elegant and professional appearance, and are ideal for mixing oils, alkyds, and acrylics. They are often made using sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be a sustainable option for the contemporary artist.
The most important factor in the longevity of the wooden palette is regular cleaning and oiling. Reapplying linseed oils or a specialized wood conditioner can help to prevent excessive absorption and prolong the lifespan of the palette. Depending on the type of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as easy as pouring a puddle of oil into the middle of the palette and wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.
Some artists choose to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or other decorative elements. This is a great option to make your palette feel like an extension of your work and give a sense of historical significance to your tool. Some of these palettes can be customized with lids that lock into the correct position. This is a great feature to take with you when traveling.
Instagram has also played a part in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists upload photos of their beautifully-arranged setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual clues serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden pallet is a rewarding, artistic experience. When you continue painting using your wooden palette, it'll become a favorite piece of equipment that will remind you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint palette, the first image that comes to mind is a wooden one that was used by masters of the past. Although they are still used by some painters, these palettes are not ideal to use with watercolors or acrylics since the surface is porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was created to address this issue. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is very sturdy and won't break if you drop it. The palettes are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can choose one that is comfortable in your hand and is simple to use.
These new palettes are known as "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints hydrated and functional for a lengthy time after you've finished painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint looks tacky (like butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil, and make sure to get in all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, assists the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing brush hairs to flow through with ease.
Another method to prepare a wooden palette is applying a drying oil - like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and rubbing it to the surface of the palette with an abrasive. This will help seal the wood and make it resistant to solvents and water. This will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when wet.
Some artists prefer to use disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good choice since it doesn't absorb paint too much, and it's easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to use a traditional wooden palette as it's more durable and is more comfortable to hold. I also love the thought that I'm continuing a tradition of the old masters!