Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface that is also rigid. It has a warm hue which helps artists perceive colors accurately.
To seal a palette made of wood use boiled linseed oil and a lint-free rag or a high quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the surface of the wood palette. Repeat daily, both front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette brings all your oil paints right to your fingertips. This makes it 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 to reduce the amount of time I am able to spend turning my body to reach my brushes and then reload them. I've also noticed that it aids with my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that have been stained and sealed (to repel water as well as standard artist solvents) 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. To do this, put a small amount of oil from linseed onto your palette and rub it in with a lint free sponge until it is completely saturated. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops to a brown medium such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me to visualize the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings and it also allows me to visualize how the colors will look against the wood. Tone also helps me distinguish between light and dark values in my artwork.
A well-used wooden palette will develop a beautiful patina with time. The oil from your paints will stain it, and the pigments will blend together to create a varnish-like finish. It's stunning to look at.
Some artists prefer to apply an acrylic sealer that is clear on their wooden palettes, this will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I find that the old method of applying multiple thin coats of linseed oil works just fine for me. It takes a bit longer than polyurethane but it's worth it since you can apply one coat each time you clean your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a popular option for oil and acrylic painting. It provides a large solid surface that is resistant to pigment absorption and facilitates optimal mixing of colors. After buy pallets near me , a quick wiping with a paper towel or cloth makes cleanup simple. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts have wooden palettes that aren't expensive.
If you are a modern acrylic artist there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are coated with a nonstick substance and are light. They also withstand the effects of solvents. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, as well as other materials. They are available in various sizes and come with deep wells to mix colors.
A styrofoam or paper dish is another popular option for acrylic painting. These are affordable and disposable so they can be used for just one painting session, making them a great solution for plein air painting. They may absorb some of the paint though, which is difficult to remove.
One of the best alternatives for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded hardwood such as spruce or pine with a thumb hole. The thumb can be inserted into the hole to allow the artist to hold the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole helps to prevent fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes using everyday items. An old plastic or aluminum foil-covered dish could be an ideal place to begin. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also a good choice. They are available at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually beautiful. You can also use a piece tin foil which will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.
A stay-wet palette is an alternative to the homemade palette that is extremely popular. These are basically boxes made of plastic that have an airtight lid. You place a sponge at the bottom that you make damp with water, and then you place a sheet of specialty paper on top to keep the paint wet. The box can be kept closed and keep the sponge and paper wet for several days. You can always add water to the palette in case the paper becomes dry.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is a fantastic option for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lightweight compared to other alternatives, particularly glass and paper and are sturdy enough to make it easy to handle. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them simple to hold while working for long periods. They feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without absorbing. They are also easy to clean and are durable for years of use.
The wooden palette was among the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They remain an essential component of many studios. They offer an elegant, professional look and are ideal for mixing oils, acrylics and alkyds. In addition they are usually produced using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wood pallet a sustainable choice for modern artists.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the key to the durability of a wooden pallet. A reapplication of linseed oil or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can help prevent excessive absorption and prolong 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 an unlinty cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes using initials or other decorative elements. This is a great method to make your palette feel like a part of your work and create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these personalised palettes have lids that can be locked into the place, which is a nice feature for traveling.
Instagram has also played a part in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a good reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a rewarding and satisfying experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will eventually become a favorite piece of equipment and an enduring reminder of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about painting pallets, the first image we have is an old wooden one that was used by old masters. These palettes, though used by some artists, are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics because of their porous surfaces. A new paint palette was created to address this problem. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is very sturdy and won't 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, called "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints moist and useable for a long period of time after you've completed painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium to the back side of the palette. Rub it in until it appears slightly tacky (like soft butter). Then you can use a paper towel or lint-free cloth to wipe off any excess, ensuring to get into all of the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, helps the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing hairs of the brush to pass through the wood easily.
Another method to prepare a wooden palette is by using a drying oil like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and applying it to the surface of the palette with a rag. This will help seal the wood and make it impervious to water and solvents. This also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes like paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great 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 better in my hands. I also love the thought that I'm preserving the legacy of the old masters!