Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight, rigid and has smooth surfaces. It has a warm color that helps painters perceive the colors with precision.
Make use of boiled linseed, an unlinty rag or paper towel to protect a wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the surface of the wood palette. Repeat daily, both front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette allows all of your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it easy to mix colors and then move them across your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes at hand. This palette has helped me save time by reducing the amount of time I am able to spend turning my body in order to reach my brushes and then reload them. I've also noticed that it helps in my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that have been stained and sealed (to resist water and standard artist solvents) 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 will make it less absorbent of the oils used in your oil paints. Pour a small amount of linseed on the palette, and then rub it in using a lint-free, clean rag. After that, clean off the excess and your palette is now ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette prior using it by adding some 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. The tone will help me differentiate between the dark and light values of my painting.
A well-used wooden palette will develop a beautiful patina with time. The oils you use to paint will stain it 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 can protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I find that the old way of applying multiple thin coats of linseed oil work well for me. It takes a bit more time than polyurethane but it's worth it since you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the classic choice for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large solid, stable surface that blocks pigment absorbtion and promotes mixing of colors. It also makes clean up easy and simple by a quick wipe with a paper towel or cloth after every use. Palettes made of wood are not expensive and can be found at many stores selling arts and crafts.
For the modern acrylic painter there are numerous 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 are suitable for acrylics among other materials. They are available in different sizes and come with deep wells for mixing colors.
A styrofoam or paper dish is a different option for acrylic painting. They are cheap and disposable so they can be used for a single painting session, which makes them a great solution for plein air painting. They can absorb some paint though, which is difficult to remove.
One of the best alternatives for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded hardwood, like pine or spruce, with a thumb hole. The thumb can be inserted into the hole to allow the artist to hold the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole can also help prevent the fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some painters make their own wooden palettes using household items. A dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic can be a great spot to begin. You can also opt for old ceramic or glass dishes. They are available at yard sales and thrift shops. They are usually quite gorgeous. You can also use the foil piece that can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet palette. These are basically an empty plastic container with a lid that is tight. You place a sponge at the bottom, which you then wet with water, then you place a sheet of paper that is specially designed to keep the paint moist. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will stay damp for several days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper becomes dry.
Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists
A wooden palette is a great choice for anyone who paints with watercolors or oil. They are light compared to other options, especially glass and paper and are strong enough to make it easy to handle. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy to hold while working for long periods. New Wood Pallet For Sale feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without being absorbed. They are also easily cleaned and are durable for years of use.
The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They remain an integral component of many studios. They have an elegant, professional look and are ideal for mixing oils, acrylics and alkyds. They are also often sourced with sustainable forestry practices. This is why using a wooden palette may be an environmentally responsible choice for the modern artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is essential to a wooden pallet's longevity. A reapplication of linseed oil or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can prevent excessive absorption and prolong the longevity of the palette. Re-oiling is as simple as pouring oil into the middle of the palette, and wiping it off with an unlinty cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes with initials or other decorative elements. This is a great method to make the palette feel like an extension of your artwork and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalized palettes come with lids that be locked into the position and lock in place, which is a wonderful feature for traveling.
Platforms such as Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, with artists sharing photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual cues serve as an example of how painting on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding, artistic experience. As pallet near me continue to paint with your wooden palette it will become a cherished piece of equipment that reminds you of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of painting pallets the first image we have is an old wooden one, which was used by old masters. Although still used by some painters however, these palettes aren't suitable to use with watercolors or acrylics due to the surface is porous and absorbs the paint too much. A new palette for painting was invented to solve this issue. These new palettes have been made from tempered glass which is extremely strong and won't break if dropped. They're also available in various sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is easy to hold and fits into your hand when you work.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes since they keep your paints hydrated and workable for a long time after you've completed painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, simply add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it in until it appears somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Then, use either a paper towel or lint free cloth to wipe off any excess, ensuring to reach all the little grooves in the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, enables the palette to keep the oil and pigment while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.
Drying oils like linseed or walnut can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it with an abrasive to the surface. This will seal the wood, making it resistant to solvents and water. This also stops the paint from sticking on 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 option since it doesn't absorb paint too much and is easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to choose an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and it is more comfortable to hold. I also love the idea that I'm preserving the tradition of the previous masters!