Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, light surface and is extremely rigid. It also has warm tones that allow artists to see colors clearly when painting.
Use boiled linseed and an lint-free rag or towel to protect a wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, both front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette brings all of your oil paints right at your fingertips. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move the paints across your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes close at hand. I've discovered that using a palette of this sort can reduce the amount of time I'm moving my body to reach and refill my brushes. I've also noticed that it aids with my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to withstand the effects of water and standard solvents for artists or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with wood that is raw, you'll need to seal it prior to painting - this will make it less absorbent of the oils you use in your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed on the palette, and then rub in using a lint-free, clean cotton rag. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette prior to using it by adding some drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the linseed oil. This helps me see the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings and it also lets me observe how the colors look against the wood. The tone will help me differentiate between the dark and light values of my painting.
As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. It will get more opaque and smooth, thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it little and the pigments mixing together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's beautiful to see.
Some artists prefer to apply a clear acrylic sealer on their palettes made of wood - it will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I've found that the old way of applying multiple thin coats of linseed oil work just fine for me. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane but it's worth the wait because you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette, and it will only improve over time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the most popular option for acrylic and oil painting. It provides a large solid surface that is resistant to pigment absorption and facilitates optimal color mixing. It also makes cleaning easy and simple by simply wiping paper towels or a cloth after every use. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts carry wooden palettes, which are affordable.
There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are lightweight. They also withstand damage caused by solvents. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, and other materials. They are usually available in a variety of sizes and deep wells for mixing colors.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. They are cheap and disposable, so they can be used for only one painting session, which makes them a perfect solution for plein air painting. However, they could absorb paint, which could make it difficult to clean.
One of the most effective alternatives for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood such as spruce or pine that has a thumb hole. This allows the artist to hold the palette by inserting the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps prevent fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes using common items. An old aluminum or plastic foil covered dish can be an ideal place to begin. Glass or ceramic dishes are also a good choice. These can be found at yard sales and thrift shops and are usually pretty. You can also use a piece tin foil which will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.
A palette made of stay-wet is a substitute for the traditional palette that is very well-known. These are basically boxes made of plastic that have an airtight lid. You place a sponge in the bottom, which you then wet with water, then add a sheet of specialty paper on top to keep the paint wet. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will stay 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 with oil paints or watercolors using a wooden palette can be an excellent option. These palettes are lighter than other options like glass or paper and rigid enough to be handled easily. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold for long periods. They are finished with a satin that allows paint to be applied without getting absorbed. They are also easy to clean and last for years of use.
The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by artists and are still an important component of many artists' studios in the present. They have a classic, professional look and are ideal to mix acrylics, oils and alkyds. They are often made by forestry practices that are sustainable. In this way, using a wooden palette could be a sustainable choice for the modern artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the key to the longevity of a wooden pallet. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption, and prolong the lifespan of your palette. Re-oiling is as simple as pouring oil into the middle of the palette and wiping it off with an unlinty cloth.
Some artists even choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into them. This is an excellent method to make the palette feel like an extension of your work and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalized palettes have lids that can be locked in the position this is a great feature for travel.
Instagram has also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. where to get pallets agronytrading serve as an example of how painting on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding, artistic experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will eventually become a beloved piece of equipment and an excellent 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 a wooden one that was used by masters of the past. Although still used by some painters, these palettes are not suitable for watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was designed to solve this problem. The new palettes are made from tempered glass which is extremely durable and won't crack if dropped. The palettes come in a variety of sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can pick one that is comfortable in your hand and is simple to use.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes due to the fact that they keep your paints moist and workable for a long time after you've completed painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back side of the palette. Rub it in until it looks slightly tacky (like soft butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil and ensure that it gets into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, allows the palette retain the pigment and oil, while allowing hairs of the brush to flow through easily.
Drying oil such as linseed, or walnut is a great option to prepare a wooden palette. Apply it with an abrasive to the surface. This will help seal the wood and make it impervious to water and solvents. It also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes, like paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a good option because it won't absorb the paint too much and is easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette, because it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also like the idea that I'm preserving the legacy of the old masters!