Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light and strong, with an even surface. It also has a warm tone that helps artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
Make use of boiled linseed, an unlinty rag or paper towel to seal the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the the wood palette. Repeat every day, both in front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are at your fingertips using the wooden palette. This makes it a lot easier to mix your colors and move them around the surface of your board or canvas. It's also a great method to keep your brushes at your fingertips. This palette has helped me reduce the amount of time that I am able to spend turning my body in order to reach my brushes and then reload them. I've also noticed that it aids me in my precision and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that are stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed onto your palette, and then rub in with a lint-free cotton rag. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I like to tone my palette before using it by adding some drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This helps me visualize the shadows I'll create in my paintings and it helps me see how the colors will appear against the wood. Tone also helps me to distinguish the light and dark values in my paintings.
A well-used wooden palette will develop a gorgeous patina over time. The oils from your paints will stain the wood and the pigments will mix to form a varnish-like finish. It's a gorgeous thing to see.
Some painters apply a clear acrylic varnish to seal their palettes made of wood. This protects the wood, and give it a beautiful shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying several thin layers of Linseed oils. It takes a little longer than polyurethane, but it's worth it since you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a popular choice for acrylic and oil painting. It has a wide, stable area that resists the absorption of color and facilitates color mixing. It also makes clean up simple and convenient with a quick wipe of a paper towel or cloth after each use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
For a modern acrylic painter, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes are a lighter alternative that can withstand solvent damage and have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, as well as other materials. They are usually available in a variety of sizes and deep wells for color mixing.
A dish made of paper or styrofoam is a different option for acrylic painting. These plates are reusable and inexpensive, so they can only be used once during an entire painting session. This makes them an excellent solution for plein-air painting. However, they may absorb paint, which can make it difficult to clean.
One of the best alternatives for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce that has a thumb hole. This allows the artist to hold the palette with the thumb inserted into the hole leaving the other fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps stop fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own homemade wooden palette from everyday items. An old plastic or aluminum foil-covered dish could be an excellent place to begin. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also good choices. They are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are generally attractive. You can also try a piece of tin foil that will block the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
A palette that stays wet is a substitute for the traditional palette that is extremely popular. These are basically a plastic box with an airtight lid. You dampen a sponge with water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you put an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep the paint damp. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will stay moist for several days. If the paper dries out you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is an excellent option for those who paint using watercolors or oil. These palettes are lighter than other options like glass or paper and are strong enough to be able to be handled easily. They feature cutouts in the interior for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold while working for long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to be able to sit on top of the surface without being absorbed. Furthermore, they are easy to clean over time.
The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces used by artists. They are a vital element in many studios. They have an elegant, professional look and are ideal to mix acrylics, oils and alkyds. Additionally, they are often sourced from sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wooden pallet a sustainable option for contemporary artists.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is the key to the longevity of a wooden pallet. A reapplication of linseed oil or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can help prevent excessive absorption and extend the longevity of the palette. Depending on the kind of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as easy as pouring a small amount of oil into the center of the palette and then wiping it with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or other elements. This is a wonderful method to make your palette feel as if it's part of your art, and to give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalized palettes have lids that can be locked into place this is a great feature for traveling.
Instagram has also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share pictures of their beautiful setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden palette can be a rewarding artistic experience. If you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become a favorite piece of equipment and an excellent reminder of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of painting pallets the first thing we imagine is an old wooden one, which was used by old masters. These palettes, although still utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics because of their porous surfaces. A new paint palette was designed to solve this problem. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely robust and won't break should you drop it. They also come in various sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand when you work.
pallet prices , also known as "stay-wet" palettes, will keep your paints moist and usable for a long time after you've finished painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint is tacky (like butter). Use a paper towel to get rid of any oil that has accumulated, and make sure to get into all grooves of the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, assists the palette to retain the pigment and oil, while allowing the hairs of the brush to move through easily.
Another way to prepare a wooden palette is by using a drying oil - like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and then applying it on the surface of the palette with the help of a rag. This will help seal the wood and make it impervious to water and solvents. It will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of the 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. I prefer a wooden palette, because it's more sturdy and feels more comfortable in my hands. I love the idea of carrying on the legacy of the previous masters.