Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with smooth surfaces. It is a warm-colored palette that aids artists in interpreting colors accurately.
Make use of boiled linseed, an unlinty rag or paper towel to protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, back and front.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette allows all of your oil paints right to your fingertips. This makes it a lot easier to mix colors and move them around the surface of your canvas or board. It's also a great method to keep your brushes at the ready. This palette has helped me save time by reducing the amount of time I have to turn around my body to reach my brushes and then reload them. I've noticed that it improves my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water and regular solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you will want to seal it before you start painting - this makes it less able to absorb of the oils used in your oil paints. To do this, simply pour a small amount linseed oil on the palette, and then rub it in with a lint free cloth until it's saturated. Then wipe off any excess and your palette is ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette prior to use by adding some drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow orange) to the linseed oil. This helps me visualize the way my shadows appear on the wood. The tone will help me differentiate between the light and dark values of my painting.
A well-used wooden palette will form a gorgeous patina over time. It will get more transparent and smooth thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it bit and the pigments blending together to form their own varnish-like coating. It's gorgeous to see.
Some painters employ a clear acrylic varnish to seal their palettes made of wood. This protects the wood and also give it a stunning shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying several thin layers of oils from linseed. It takes a bit longer than polyurethane, but it is worth it since you can apply a coat each time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the classic choice for acrylic and oil painting. It has a large and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and promotes optimal color mixing. It also makes cleaning easy and quick by a quick wipe with a cloth or paper towel after each use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and are available at many stores selling arts and crafts.
There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a light 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, as well as other materials. They are generally available in various sizes and deep wells for mixing colors.
A styrofoam or paper dish is a popular alternative for acrylic painting. These plates are disposable and affordable and can only be used once for an entire painting session. This makes them an excellent solution for plein-air painting. However, they can absorb paint, which can make them difficult to clean.
High-Quality Factory-Made Pallets of sanded lumber such as pine or spruce that has a thumbhole, is among the best options to make a permanent acrylic paint pallet. This lets the artist hold the palette by inserting the thumb inserted into the hole leaving the other fingers free to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps keep fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists prefer to build their own homemade wooden palette using common items. An old aluminum or plastic foil-covered dish could be an ideal place to begin. Glass or ceramic dishes are also a good choice. They are available at yard sales and thrift shops. They are usually quite gorgeous. You can also make use of the foil piece that can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a DIY palette is a stay-wet palette. These are basically an empty plastic container with a secure lid. You dampen a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you add an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep paint moist. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will stay wet for a few days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper starts to dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
Whether you are painting with oil paints or watercolors, a wooden palette can be the best option. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper, and are also strong enough to be able to be handled easily. They also have cut-outs in the interior for the thumb and other fingers, making them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without absorbing. They are also easily cleaned and last for many years of use.
The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by artists and remain an integral element in many studios of artists in the present. They offer a classic, professional look and are perfect to mix acrylics, oils, and alkyds. They are also often sourced using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wooden pallet a sustainable choice for modern artists.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is the key to a wooden pallet's longevity. Reapplying linseed oils or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can help prevent excessive absorption and prolong the lifespan of the palette. Depending on the kind 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 with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or other decorative elements into the wood. This is a wonderful method to make your palette feel like part of your art and create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these personalised palettes come with lids that be locked into the position, which is a nice feature for travel.
Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes, with artists sharing pictures of their stunningly arranged arrangements to inspire others. These visual cues serve as an encouragement to paint on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding artistic experience. If you continue to paint using your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment that will remind you of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about painting pallets, the first thing we think of is an old wooden one used by masters of the past. These palettes, although still used by some artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surface. However, a different type of palette for paint is being developed that solves this issue. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is extremely robust and will not break if you drop it. These palettes are available in various sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that is comfortable in your palm and is easy to use.
These new palettes are called "stay wet" palettes since they keep your paints moist and able to work for a long time after you've completed painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint looks tacky (like butter). Then apply a paper towel or lint free cloth to clean any excess, ensuring to get into all of the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, helps the palette retain oil and pigment while allowing the hairs of the brush to flow through with ease.
Another way to prepare a wooden palette is by applying a drying oil - like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and applying it on the surface of the palette with a rag. This will make the wood more durable, making it resistant to solvents and water. It also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes, such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good choice because it doesn't soak up paint too often, and is easy to clean. However, I'd rather to make use of a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable, and it is more comfortable to hold. I also love the thought that I'm carrying on a tradition of the old masters!