Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, light surface and is rigid. It also has warm tones that allow artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
Make use of boiled linseed, an unlinty rag or paper towel to protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil into the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are available when you use the wooden palette. This makes it easier to mix your colors and move them across the surface of your canvas or board. It's also a great method to keep your brushes close at hand. I've discovered that using a palette of this sort reduces the amount of time I'm moving my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps with my precision and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water and regular solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount of linseed onto your palette, and then rub into it with a clean rag. Then, wipe off any excess and your palette is ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops to a brown medium like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me visualize how my shadows will look on the wood. The tone will also help me distinguish between light and dark values in my paintings.
With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. The oils you use to paint will stain it and the pigments will mix to create a varnish-like look. It's stunning to look at.
Some artists apply a clear acrylic varnish to seal their wooden palettes. This protects the wood and also give it a stunning shine. sell pallets near me prefer the old method of applying thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a bit longer than polyurethane, but it is worth it since you can apply one coat each time you clean your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a classic choice for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large and stable area that is resistant to pigment absorbtion and promotes color mixing. After each use, a quick wiping with paper towels or a cloth makes cleanup simple. The majority of craft stores offer wooden palettes, which are affordable.
For a modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are a lightweight alternative that can withstand solvent damage and have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics and other materials. They are available in a variety of sizes and have deep wells to mix colors.
Another option for acrylic painting is a paper or styrofoam plate. These are affordable and disposable, which means they can be used for a single painting session, which makes them a great option for plein air painting. However, they could absorb paint, which could make it difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded timber such as spruce or pine with a thumbhole, is one of the best options to create a permanent acrylic paint pallet. This lets the artist hold the palette with the thumb in the hole, leaving the other fingers free to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole can also help keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes from household items. A dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic can be a great place to start. You can also opt for old glass or ceramic dishes. They can be found at yard sales or thrift shops and are often quite pretty. You can also use a piece tin foil which can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
An extremely popular alternative to a homemade palette is a plastic stay-wet palette. They are essentially made of plastic with a secure lid. You dampen a sponge with water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you put the special paper the top to keep paint wet. The box can be sealed and keep the sponge and paper moist for several days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper becomes dry.
Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists
Whether you are painting with oil paints or watercolors, a wooden palette can be an excellent option. They are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper and rigid enough to handle easily. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them simple to hold for long periods. They have a satin finish that lets paint sit on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, they are easy to clean for years of use.
The wooden palette was among the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They are still a vital element in many studios. They have a classic, professional look and are perfect for mixing oils, acrylics and alkyds. They are also often sourced by forestry practices that are sustainable. This makes a wooden pallet a sustainable choice for modern artists.
A key to the longevity of the wooden palette is regular cleaning and the re-oiling. A reapplication of linseed oil or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can help prevent excessive absorption and extend the life of the palette. Re-oiling can be as easy as pouring oil into 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 other decorative elements into the wood. This is a great option to make your palette feel like an extension of your work and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these customized palettes come with lids that lock in place this is a great feature for traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautifully arranged setups to inspire others. These visual signals serve as an encouragement to paint on a wooden palette is a rewarding, artistic experience. If you continue to paint with your wooden palette, it'll become a favorite piece of equipment that will remind you of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about an art pallet the first thing we imagine is a wooden one, which was used by old masters. These palettes, though used by some artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surfaces. However, a different type of palette for paint has been invented that solves this issue. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely sturdy and won't crack if dropped. The palettes come in a variety of sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use.
These new palettes, referred to as "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints hydrated and usable for a long period of time after you've finished painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint looks tacky (like butter). Then apply their explanation or lint free cloth to wipe off any excess, ensuring to reach all the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, assists the palette to retain pigment and oil while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass through the wood easily.
Another method to prepare a wooden palette is applying 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 seal the wood and make it more resistant to water and solvents. It will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet.
Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes, such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great option because it doesn't absorb paint too much, and it's easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to use a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the thought that I'm continuing a tradition of the old masters!