Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with 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 protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the surface of the palette. Repeat pallet wood for sale , both in front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette brings all of your oil paints right to your fingertips. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them across your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes close at fingertips. I've discovered that using such a palette really cuts down on the amount of time I spend turning my body to grab and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps with my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been sealed and stained (to repel water and conventional solvents for artists) or you can purchase unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior to painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this, simply put a small amount of linseed oil on the palette and then rub it in using a lint free sponge until it is completely saturated. After that, clean off the excess and your palette is ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops to an oil medium that is brown, like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me to visualize the shadows I'll create in my paintings. It also allows me to observe how the colors appear against the wood. The tone will also help me to distinguish the light and dark values in my paintings.
A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop an exquisite patina over time. It will get more transparent and smooth thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it a bit and the pigments blending together to form a varnish-like coating. It's a gorgeous thing to see.
Some painters apply an acrylic varnish that is clear to protect their wooden palettes. This will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I've found that the old method of applying thin coats of linseed oil work well for me. It takes a little longer than polyurethane but it's worth it as you can apply one coat every time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is a popular choice for acrylic and oil painting. It has a large and stable area that is resistant to absorption of pigment and encourages color mixing. After each use, a quick wiping with a paper towel or cloth will make cleanup easy. Most arts and crafts stores offer wooden palettes, which are affordable.
If you are a modern acrylic artist, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that is resistant to solvent damage and have a non-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, as well as other materials. They are available in a variety of sizes and have deep wells for mixing colors.
A dish made of paper or styrofoam is another popular option for acrylic painting. They are cheap and disposable so they can be used for just one painting session, making them an ideal option for plein air painting. They can take in some paint though, which can be difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded timber such as spruce or pine with a thumbhole is one of the best options for creating an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. The thumb can be placed 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 while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palette using household items. An old plastic or aluminum foil-covered dish could be an ideal place to begin. You can also pick up old glass or ceramic dishes. These can be found at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually quite beautiful. You can also try using a piece of tin foil, which will resist the absorption of paint and be easy to clean.
A palette made of stay-wet is a substitute for the traditional palette that is very popular. These are essentially containers made of plastic with an airtight lid. You place a sponge at the bottom and wet with water, then place a piece of special paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper wet for a few days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper starts to dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is a fantastic option for anyone who paints with watercolors or oil. They are light compared to other options, especially paper and glass, and are rigid enough to make it easy to handle. They also have internal cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, which makes them comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They feature a satin-finished finish that lets paint be able to sit on top of the surface without being absorbed. Additionally, they are easily cleaned for years of use.
The wooden palette was among the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are still an integral component of many studios. They have an elegant and professional design and are perfect for mixing oils, alkyds, and acrylics. Additionally they are usually made from sustainable forest practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be an environmentally responsible choice for the modern artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is most important factor in the durability of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oil or a special wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the life of the palette. Re-oiling is as simple as pouring oil in the middle of the palette and wiping it off with a lint free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into the surface. This is an excellent way to make the palette appear as an extension of your work and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock into the correct position. This is a great feature for traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual clues serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden palette can be a rewarding artistic experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become an item that you will treasure and an enduring reminder of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a palette to paint the first thing that comes to mind is a wooden one used by old masters. Although still used by some artists, these palettes are not ideal for acrylics or watercolors because the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. However, a different type of palette for paint has been developed to solve this issue. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is extremely sturdy and won't break if you drop it. The palettes are available in various sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can pick one that is comfortable in your hand and is easy to use.
These new palettes, called "stay-wet" palettes, help keep your paints hydrated and usable for a prolonged period of time after you've finished painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette and rub it in until it looks slightly tacky (like soft butter). Then apply either a paper towel or lint free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to reach all the little grooves in the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, assists the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing hairs of the brush to flow through with ease.
A drying oil like linseed or walnut, can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it using a rag to the surface. This will help seal the wood and make it impervious to solvents and water. This will also prevent 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 because it doesn't absorb paint too much and is easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I am awestruck by the idea of continuing the legacy of the previous masters.