Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with smooth surfaces. It has a warm color that aids artists in interpreting colors in a precise manner.
To seal a wooden palette use boiled linseed oil and a lint free rag or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the 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 move them on your board or canvas. It's also a great way to keep your brushes close at hand. I've discovered that using a palette like this really cuts down on the amount of time I spend turning my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've noticed that it also improves my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to resist water and standard solvents for artists or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with wood that is raw, you'll need 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 pool of Linseed oil onto the palette and then rub it into the palette with an lint-free sponge until it is completely fully saturated. Then wipe off the excess and your palette is ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette before using it by adding some drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow orange) to the Linseed oil. This helps me see the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings and it also allows me to see how the colors will appear against the wood. The tone will also help me distinguish between light and dark values in my paintings.
A well-used wooden palette will develop an exquisite patina over time. It will become more opaque and smooth due to the oil in your paints staining it little and the pigments mixing together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's stunning to look at.
Some painters prefer to use a clear acrylic sealer on their wooden palettes - it will protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. However, I've found that the old method of applying thin coats of linseed oil is just fine for me. It takes a little longer than using polyurethane, but it's worth it 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 palette is a popular option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and promotes optimal mixing of colors. After each use, a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth makes cleanup easy. Most arts and crafts stores have wooden palettes that are affordable.
For the modern acrylic painter, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are light. They also resist solvent damage. They are easy to clean using warm soapy water, and can be used for a wide range of materials including acrylics. They are available in a variety of sizes and come with deep wells for mixing colors.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. They are inexpensive and disposable so they can be used for just one painting session, making them a perfect option for plein air painting. They could take in some paint, and can be difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded lumber, such as spruce or pine with a thumbhole is one of the best options to create an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. The thumb can be inserted into the opening to allow the artist to hold it 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 homemade wooden palette using everyday items. A dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic could be a great place to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also good choices. They are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are typically gorgeous. You could also try using a piece of tin foil that will ward off the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
An extremely popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet plastic palette. They are basically a plastic box with an airtight lid. You moisten a sponge with water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you add a sheet special paper on top to keep paint damp. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper moist for a few days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper becomes dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
If you're painting watercolors or oil paints, the wooden palette is the best option. They are lighter than other alternatives like glass or paper, and are also strong enough to handle easily. They also have interior cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, making them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to rest on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, pallet wood for sale are easy to clean to last for a long time.
Wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by painters, and they remain an integral part of many artist's studios today. They have a classic and professional look, and are ideal to mix alkyds, oils and acrylics. They are also often sourced with sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wooden pallet a sustainable option for contemporary artists.
The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is regular cleaning and the re-oiling. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption and extend the life of your palette. Re-oiling can be as easy as pouring oil in the middle of the palette, and wiping with an unlinty cloth.
Some artists even choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or other decorative elements into the surface. This is a great way to make your palette feel like a part of your artwork, and to give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock in the correct position. 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 posting photos of their beautifully arranged arrangements to inspire others. These visual signals serve as an example of how painting on a pallet made of wood is a rewarding, artistic experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will eventually become a beloved piece of equipment and an excellent reminder of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about a paint pallet the first thing we imagine is a wooden one used by old masters. Although they are still used by some painters, these palettes are not ideal to use with watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs the paint too much. A new palette for painting was invented to solve this issue. These new palettes have been constructed from tempered glass that is extremely strong and won't break in the event of a drop. They are also available in various shapes and sizes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fits in your hand while working.
These new palettes are known as "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints moist and workable for a long time after you've completed painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, place 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 either a paper towel or lint free cloth to wipe off any excess, ensuring to get into all of the little grooves in the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, helps the palette to retain pigment and oil while allowing brush hairs to move through easily.
Another method to prepare for a wooden palette is using a drying oil like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and then applying it to the surface of the palette using a rag. This will seal the wood, making it resistant to water and solvents. This will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes, like paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a good choice because it doesn't absorb paint too much and it's easy to clean. However, I'd rather to use a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and it feels better in my hand. I am awestruck by the idea of carrying on the tradition of the older masters.