Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with an even surface. It also has warm tones that help artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
To seal a wood palette use boiled linseed oil and a lint free rag or a high quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, both on both sides.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are readily available using a wooden palette. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them around the surface of your canvas or board. It's also a great way to keep your brushes at your fingertips. This palette has helped me to save time by reducing the amount of time that I am able to spend turning my body in order to reach my brushes and reload them. I've also noticed that it helps with my accuracy and consistency.
You can either buy wood palettes that are stained and sealed to withstand water and standard artist solvents, or you can buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood before painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Put a small amount of linseed onto your palette, and then rub in with a lint-free cotton rag. After that, clean off the excess and your palette is 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 orange) to the linseed oil. This helps me visualize the shadows I'll create in my paintings and it helps me observe how the colors look against the wood. Tone also helps me distinguish between dark and light values in my artwork.
A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop an exquisite patina over time. The oil from your paints will stain it, and the pigments will mix to create a varnish-like finish. It's beautiful to see.
Some artists prefer using a clear acrylic sealer on their wooden palettes - this can protect the wood and give it an attractive shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying thin layers of Linseed oils. 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 offers a wide and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and promotes optimal mixing of colors. It also makes clean up easy and quick with a quick wipe of a paper towel or cloth after each use. Wooden palettes are also inexpensive and can be found at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that resist damage from solvents and also have a non-stick coating. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics and other materials. They are available in different sizes and have deep wells to mix colors.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, so they can be used for a single painting session, which makes them an ideal solution for plein air painting. However, they can absorb some paint which can make them difficult to clean.
One of the most effective options for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood like spruce or pine, 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 helps to stop fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes using everyday items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be an ideal place to begin. You can also pick up old glass or ceramic dishes. pallets near me are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are usually quite attractive. You can also use the foil piece that will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet plastic palette. These are basically a plastic box with a tight lid. The sponge is placed at the bottom and wet with water, then you place a sheet of special paper on top to keep the paint wet. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will remain damp for several days. If the paper starts to dry out it is possible to add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
Whether you are painting oil paints or watercolors, a wooden palette can be an excellent option. They are light compared to other alternatives, including paper and glass and are strong enough to make it easy to handle. They also have internal cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, making them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time while you work. They have a satin finish that allows paint to sit on top without being absorbed. Additionally, they can be cleaned easily over time.
The wooden palette was among the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They remain an integral element in many studios. They have an elegant and professional appearance and are perfect for mixing alkyds, oils, and acrylics. Additionally, they are often produced using sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette may be a green choice for the modern artist.
The key to the long-term durability of the wooden palette is regular cleaning and re-oiling. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption, and increase the longevity of your palette. Depending on the kind of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as easy as pouring a pool of oil in the center of the palette, then wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists even choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or other decorative elements into them. 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 are customizable with lids that lock in the place. This is a fantastic feature to take with you when traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes, with artists sharing photos of their beautiful sets to inspire others. These visual cues serve as an encouragement to paint on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding, artistic experience. As you continue to paint with your wooden palette, it will become a cherished piece of equipment that will remind you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about painting pallets, the first thing we imagine is an old wooden one, which was used by old masters. These palettes, although still used by some artists, are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics due to their porous surface. However, a different type of palette for paint has been developed to solve this issue. The new palettes are made from tempered glass which is extremely durable and won't break in the event of a drop. They are also available in a variety of shapes and sizes and sizes, so you can choose one that is comfortable to hold and fit in your hand while working.
These new palettes, referred to as "stay-wet" palettes, will keep your paints moist and useable for a long period of time after you have finished painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil, and ensure that you get in all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, assists the palette to retain oil and pigment while allowing hairs of the brush to move through the wood easily.
Another good way to prep a wooden palette is by using a drying oil like linseed, safflower or walnut - and rubbing it on the surface of the palette with the help of a rag. This will help seal the wood and make it more resistant to water and solvents. This will also prevent the paint from sticking on the surface of your palette when wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a good choice because it doesn't absorb paint too often, and is easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to use a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and feels better in my hand. I also like the idea that I'm carrying on the tradition of the previous masters!