Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface that is also rigid. It has a warm hue which helps artists perceive colors in a precise manner.
To seal a wooden palette make use of boiled linseed oil as well as a lint-free rag or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, both in front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are readily available when you work with the wooden palette. This makes it a lot easier to mix your colors and move them around your canvas or board. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes in 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 reload them. I've also noticed that it helps me with my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that have been stained and sealed (to resist water as well as standard artist solvents) or you can purchase unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this, simply pour a small amount Linseed oil onto the palette and rub it in using a lint free sponge until it is completely fully saturated. After that, clean off any excess oil 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 be creating in my paintings. It also lets me see how the colors will appear against the wood. The tone helps me distinguish between the dark and light values of my painting.
A well-used wooden palette will develop a gorgeous patina over time. It will become more transparent and smooth with the oil from your paints staining it a bit and the pigments blending together to form their own varnish-like coating. It's stunning to see.
Some painters prefer to use a clear acrylic sealer on their wooden palettes - it will protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying several thin layers of linseed oils. 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 get better 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 encourages optimal color mixing. After every use, a quick wiping with a cloth or paper towel will make cleanup easy. Most arts and crafts stores offer wooden palettes, which are inexpensive.
For the modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes come with a nonstick coating and are light. They also resist damage caused by solvents. They are easy to clean with warm soapy water and are used for a wide range of materials including acrylics. They are usually available in several sizes with deep wells for color mixing.
Another option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. These plates are disposable and affordable and can be used only once for the duration of a painting session. This makes them an excellent solution for plein air painting. They may absorb some of the paint, however, which could be difficult to wash.
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 it with their other fingers. The thumb hole is designed to prevent fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palette using common items. An old plastic or aluminum foil-covered dish is a good place to start. You can also opt for old ceramic or glass dishes. They can be found at yard sales and thrift shops and are usually pretty. You can also try using a piece of tin foil, which will resist the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a DIY palette is a stay-wet plastic palette. These are basically a plastic box with an airtight lid. You moisten a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you place an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep paint damp. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper moist for several days. If the paper begins to dry you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
When you're painting watercolors or oil paints using the wooden palette is the best option. These palettes are lighter than other options like glass or paper and rigid enough to handle easily. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy to hold while working for long periods. They have a satin finish that lets paint sit on top without being absorbed, and they can be cleaned easily over time.
Wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces used by artists, and they remain a vital element in many studios of artists in the present. They offer an elegant, professional appearance and are perfect for mixing acrylics, oils and alkyds. They are often made using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wood pallet a sustainable choice for contemporary artists.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is most important factor in the durability of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oil or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can prevent excessive absorption and prolong the longevity of the palette. Based on the type of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as simple as pouring a puddle of oil into the middle of the palette and wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or other decorative elements. This is an excellent option to make your palette appear as an extension of your artwork and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these customized palettes come with lids that be locked into place and lock in place, which is a wonderful feature for traveling.
Platforms such as Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes, as artists post pictures of their stunningly arranged setups to inspire others. These visual cues are a wonderful reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a satisfying and artistically satisfying experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment and a reminder of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a palette for painting, the first image that comes to mind is one made of wood that was used by masters of the past. These palettes, although still used by some artists are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics because of their porous surfaces. A new paint palette was invented to solve this issue. These new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is robust and will not break if you drop it. The 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 because they keep your paints hydrated and functional for a lengthy time after you've completed painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, simply 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 an old towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to get it into all the tiny grooves within the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, enables the palette to retain the color and oil, while allowing brushhairs to pass easily.
Another way to prepare a wooden palette is by applying a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and rubbing it on the surface of the palette with the help of a rag. This will help seal the wood and make it more resistant to solvents and water. This will also prevent the paint from sticking on the surface of your palette when wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. pallets near me is a great option because it won't absorb the paint too much, and it's easy to clean. However, I would prefer to make use of an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and it feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the thought that I'm preserving a tradition of the old masters!