Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface and is extremely rigid. It also has warm tones that allow painters to perceive colors accurately when painting.
Make use of boiled linseed, a lint-free rag or paper towel to protect a wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the surface of the wood palette. Repeat daily, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette brings all of your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it easy to mix colors and then move them across your board or canvas. It's also a great method to keep your brushes close at hand. This palette has helped me reduce the amount of time I am able to spend turning my body to reach my brushes and reload them. I've noticed that it helps me with my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water as well as regular solvents for artists) or you can purchase unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this, simply pour a small pool of linseed oil on the palette and rub it in using a lint free sponge until it is completely fully saturated. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use.
I like to tone my palette before use by adding the smallest amount of 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 light and dark values of my painting.
A well-used wooden palette will form a beautiful patina with time. It will become more opaque and smooth thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it a bit and the pigments blending together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's stunning to look at.
Some painters use a clear acrylic varnish to protect their wooden palettes. This protects the wood and will give it a stunning shine. However, I have found that the old method of applying multiple thin coats of linseed oil works just fine for me. It takes a little longer than polyurethane but it's worth it as you can apply one coat every time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is an ideal option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large solid, stable surface that blocks pigment absorbtion and promotes mixing of colors. After every use, a quick wipe with a cloth or paper towel makes cleanup simple. Wooden palettes are also inexpensive and can be found at many stores selling arts and crafts.
For the modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that is resistant to solvent damage and feature a non-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, as well as other materials. They are generally available in several sizes with deep wells for mixing colors.
A dish made of paper or styrofoam is another popular option for acrylic painting. These plates are easily disposable and cost-effective which means 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 some paint which can make it difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded wood, such as pine or spruce that has a thumbhole is one of the best options to create an acrylic paint pallet that can be used for a long time. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold it with their other fingers. The thumb hole helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists create their own wooden palettes from household items. An old plastic or aluminum foil-covered dish could be an excellent place to begin. You can also pick up old ceramic or glass dishes. These can be found at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually quite beautiful. You can also make use of an aluminum foil that will resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
sell pallets near me that stays wet is an alternative to the traditional palette that is extremely popular. They are essentially a plastic box with a tight lid. You soak a sponge in water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you add the special paper the top to keep paint damp. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will stay damp for several days. You can always add water to the palette in case the paper gets dry.
Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists
A wooden palette is a great choice for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. They are lighter than other options such as glass or paper, and are also strong enough to be handled easily. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy to hold for long periods. They feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without getting absorbed. They are also easily cleaned and last for many years of use.
The wooden palette was among the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They are still an integral part of many studios. pallets of wood for sale have an elegant and professional design and are ideal to mix alkyds, oils, and acrylics. Additionally they are typically produced using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wooden pallet a green option for contemporary artists.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is key to the longevity of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oils or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can help to prevent excessive absorption and extend the lifespan of the palette. Re-oiling is as easy as pouring oil into the middle of the palette, and wiping it off with an lint-free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or other decorative elements. This is a great way to make the palette feel like an extension of your work and bring a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock in the place. This is a fantastic feature to take with you when traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual signals 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 grow into a beloved piece of equipment and an enduring reminder of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint palette the first image that comes to mind is one made of wood that was used by masters of the past. While still used by a few artists however, these palettes aren't ideal to use with watercolors or acrylics since the surface is porous and absorbs the paint too much. However, a new type of paint palette has been invented that solves this issue. These new palettes have been constructed from tempered glass that is extremely sturdy and won't break if dropped. They're also available in a variety of shapes and sizes and sizes, so you can choose one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand while working.
These new palettes are called "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints moist and workable for a long time after you've finished painting. To prepare a stay wet palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back side of the palette and rub it in until it appears slightly tacky (like soft butter). Then you can use either a paper towel or lint free cloth to clean any excess, ensuring to get into all of the tiny grooves within the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, assists the palette to keep the pigment and oil, while allowing brush hairs to flow through the wood easily.
Drying oils such as linseed, or walnut is a great option to make a wooden palette. Apply it with an abrasive to the surface. This will seal the wood, making it resistant to water and solvents. This will also prevent 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 great option because it doesn't soak up paint too much, and it's also easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to make use of an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I love the idea of carrying on the tradition of the old masters.