Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface that is also rigid. It also has warm tones that help painters to perceive colors accurately when painting.
Make use of boiled linseed, an lint-free rag or towel to seal a wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, in front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are at your fingertips when you work with an wooden palette. This makes it much easier to mix your colors and move them around the surface of your board or canvas. It's also a great way to keep your brushes close to the ready. This palette has helped me to reduce 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 aids with my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water and conventional solvents for artists) or you can purchase unfinished ones and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you should seal it prior to painting - this makes it less able to absorb of the oils used in your oil paints. Pour a small amount of Linseed onto the 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 my palette prior to use by adding the smallest amount of brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow orange) to the linseed oil. This helps me to visualize the shadows I'll create in my paintings. It helps me see how the colors will appear against the wood. The tone helps me to distinguish between the light and dark values of my painting.
As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will begin to develop a gorgeous patina. The oils from your paints will stain it and the pigments will mix to form a varnish-like finish. It's stunning to look at.
Some painters use an acrylic varnish that is clear to seal their palettes made of wood. This protects the wood, and will give it a stunning shine. However, I have found that the traditional method of applying multiple thin coats of linseed oil is well for me. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane, but it's worth the wait because you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette and it will only improve with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden Crate For Sale palette is a popular option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large, stable surface that resists pigment absorption and encourages optimal mixing of colors. It also makes cleaning easy and simple with a quick wipe of a paper towel or cloth after each use. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts offer wooden palettes, which are inexpensive.
There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are coated with a nonstick substance and are light. They also resist the effects of solvents. They are easy to clean with warm soapy water and are used for a wide range of materials, including acrylics. They are typically available in various sizes and deep wells to mix colors.
A paper or styrofoam dish is a popular alternative for acrylic painting. These are affordable and disposable, which means they can be used for a single painting session, which makes them an ideal solution for plein air painting. However, they may absorb paint, which could make it difficult to clean.
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. This allows the artist to hold the palette using the thumb in the hole, leaving the other fingers free for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole also helps to keep the fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some painters make their own wooden palettes out of household items. A dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic can be a great spot to begin. Glass or ceramic dishes are also a good choice. They are available at yard sales or in thrift shops and are usually quite pretty. You can also make use of a piece tin foil which can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a DIY palette is a plastic stay-wet palette. These are essentially a plastic box with an airtight lid. You dampen 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 the paint wet. The box can be sealed and the sponge and paper will stay damp for several days. You can always add water to the palette in case the paper starts to dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
Whether you are painting watercolors or oil paints, using the wooden palette is the best option. They are light compared to other options, especially glass and paper, and are rigid enough to make it easy to handle. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them simple to hold while working for long periods. They have a satin finish that lets paint sit on top without being absorbed. Additionally, they are easily cleaned 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 a classic and professional look and are perfect for mixing alkyds, oils, and acrylics. In addition they are typically made from sustainable forest practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be a green option for the contemporary artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is most important factor in the durability of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oils or a specialized wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption and prolong the life of the palette. Depending on the type of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as easy as pouring a pool of oil in the center of the palette and then wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes using initials or decorative elements. This is a wonderful option to make your palette feel like a part of your work, and to create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these personalised palettes have lids that can lock in place this is a great feature for travel.
Platforms such as Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes, as artists post photos of their beautifully arranged sets to inspire others. These visual clues serve as an encouragement to paint on a pallet made of wood is a rewarding, artistic experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will grow into a favorite piece of equipment and an enduring reminder of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint pallet the first thing we imagine is a wooden one, which was used by masters of the past. They are still utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours due to their porous surface. However, a new kind of palette for painting is being developed that solves this issue. The new palettes are constructed from tempered glass that is extremely sturdy and won't break if dropped. The palettes are available in various sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that fits comfortably in your hand and is simple to use.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints wet and able to work for a long time after you've finished painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, place your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil, and ensure that it gets into all grooves of the wood grain. This process, referred to as seasoning, allows the palette to keep the oil and pigment while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.
Another way to prepare for a wooden palette is applying a drying oil - like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and rubbing it to the surface of the palette using a rag. This will help to seal the wood and make it resistant to solvents and water. It will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it's wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great option because it doesn't soak up paint too much, and it's also easy to clean. However, I'd rather to make use of an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also like the idea that I'm continuing the legacy of the old masters!