Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and rigid, and has a smooth surface. It also has a warm tone that helps artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
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 on the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are at your fingertips when you work with an wooden palette. This makes it easier to mix colors and move the paints across your board or canvas. It's also a great method to keep your brushes close to the ready. This palette has helped me to save time by reducing the amount of time that I have to turn around my body to reach my brushes to reload them. I've also noticed that it improves my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water and standard artist solvents) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this simply put a small amount of oil from linseed onto your palette and rub it in using an lint-free sponge until it is completely saturated. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops of it to a brown medium, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me visualize how my shadows will appear on the wood. Tone also helps me to differentiate between dark and light values in my paintings.
With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. The oils from your paints will stain it, and the pigments will combine to create a varnish-like finish. It's an amazing thing to behold.
Some artists use a clear acrylic varnish to seal their wooden palettes. This will protect the wood and will give it a stunning shine. However, I've found that the old method of applying several thin coats of linseed oil work perfectly for me. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane but it's worth the wait since you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette. And it will only improve over time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is an ideal choice for acrylic and oil painting. It has a large solid surface that is resistant to pigment absorption and facilitates optimal color mixing. It also makes cleaning simple and convenient with a quick wipe of paper towels or a cloth after each use. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts offer wooden palettes, which aren't expensive.
There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are lightweight. They also resist solvent damage. They are easy to clean with warm soapy water, and can be used for a wide range of materials including acrylics. They are available in a variety of sizes and have deep wells to mix colors.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. These plates are reusable and inexpensive and are only used once for an entire painting session. This is why they are a great option for plein air painting. However, they could absorb paint, which could make them difficult to clean.
One of the most effective options for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded wood such as spruce or pine that has a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold it with their other fingers. The thumb hole also helps keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own homemade wooden palette using common items. An old aluminum or plastic foil covered dish can be an ideal place to begin. You can also opt for old glass or ceramic dishes. They are available at yard sales and thrift shops. They are generally attractive. You can also use the foil piece that will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.
A stay-wet palette is an alternative to the DIY palette that is very popular. They are basically boxes made of plastic that have an airtight lid. You soak a sponge in water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you put the special paper the top to keep paint damp. The box can be sealed and the sponge and paper will remain damp for several days. If the paper starts to dry out it is possible to add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
When you're painting oil paints or watercolors using an wooden palette is an excellent choice. These palettes are lightweight compared to other options, especially glass and paper, and are rigid enough for easy handling. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them simple to hold during long periods. They have a satin finish that allows paint to rest 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 remain an integral element in many studios. They offer an elegant, professional appearance and are ideal to mix acrylics, oils, and alkyds. Additionally they are usually produced using sustainable forestry practices. This is why using a wooden palette can be a green choice for the modern artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the most important factor in the durability of a wooden pallet. Applying linseed, or a wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the lifespan of your palette. Depending on the kind of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as simple as pouring a pool of oil in the center of the palette, then wiping it with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes using initials or other elements. This is a great way to make your palette feel like a part of your art, and to create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these customized palettes come with lids that be locked in place and lock in place, which is a wonderful feature for traveling.
Instagram has also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists post pictures of their beautiful setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual signals serve as an example of how painting on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding, artistic experience. When you continue painting with your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment that will remind you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about a paint pallet the first thing we imagine is an old wooden one that was used by masters of the past. These palettes, although still used by some artists are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surfaces. A new palette for painting was created to address this issue. These new palettes have been made from tempered glass which is extremely durable and won't break in the event of a drop. These palettes are available in different sizes and shapes, so you can choose one that fits comfortably in your palm and is easy to use.
These new palettes are known as "stay wet" palettes since they keep your paints hydrated and functional for a lengthy time after you've finished painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint looks tacky (like butter). Use a paper towel to remove any oil that has accumulated, and make sure to get into all grooves of the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, helps the palette to retain the pigment and oil, while allowing the hairs of the brush to move through easily.
High-Quality Factory-Made Pallets to prep a wooden palette is applying a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and rubbing it on the surface of the palette with an abrasive. 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 wet.
Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a good choice because it doesn't absorb paint as much, and it's easy-to-clean. However, I'd prefer to choose a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and it feels better in my hand. I also like the idea that I'm carrying on the tradition of the previous masters!