Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light, rigid and has smooth surfaces. It has a warm hue that helps painters perceive the colors with precision.
To seal a wood palette make use of boiled linseed oils and a lint free rag or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the the wood palette. Repeat every day, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are readily available when you use the wooden palette. This makes it easy to mix colors and then move them on your board or canvas. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes at fingertips. This palette has helped me reduce the amount of time I am able to spend turning my body in order to reach my brushes to reload them. I've noticed that it aids me in my precision and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to resist the effects of water and standard solvents for artists, or you can buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with wood that is raw, you will want to seal it prior to painting. This will make it less absorbent of the oils used in your oil paints. To do this, pour a small amount linseed oil on the palette, and then rub it in using a lint free sponge until it is completely saturated. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette prior using it by adding the smallest amount of brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This helps me visualize how my shadows will look on the wood. Tone also helps me distinguish between shades of light and dark in my artwork.
Over time, a properly used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. The oil from your paints will stain the wood and the pigments will mix to form a varnish-like finish. It's an amazing thing to see.
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. I prefer the traditional method of applying several thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane, but it's worth it because you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette, and it will only improve with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is an ideal choice for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large solid, stable surface that blocks the absorption of color and facilitates mixing of colors. After every use, a quick wipe with a paper towel or cloth will make cleanup easy. The majority of craft stores have wooden palettes that are affordable.
For the modern acrylic painter, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are lightweight. They also withstand the effects of solvents. 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 different sizes and come with deep wells for mixing colors.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. These plates are reusable and inexpensive which means they can be used only once for a painting session. This makes them an excellent solution for plein air painting. They may absorb some of the paint, and could be difficult to wash.
A piece of sanded wood such as pine or spruce with a thumbhole, is one of the best options to create an acrylic paint pallet that can be used for a long time. This lets the artist hold the palette by inserting the thumb inserted into 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 that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to start. You can also pick up old ceramic or glass dishes. They are available at yard sales and thrift shops. They are typically attractive. You can also make use of an aluminum foil that will resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a DIY palette is a stay-wet palette. They are essentially made of plastic with a tight lid. You moisten a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you add an extra sheet of paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will remain wet for a few days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper becomes dry.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
If you're painting watercolors or oil paints using a wooden palette can be an excellent option. These palettes are lightweight compared to other alternatives, including glass and paper and are strong enough to make it easy to handle. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold while working for long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to rest on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, they are easy to clean to last for a long time.
The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces used by artists. They are still an essential element in many studios. They have an elegant and professional design and are ideal for mixing oils, alkyds, and acrylics. They are often made with sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wooden pallet a sustainable option for contemporary artists.
A key to the longevity of the wooden palette is regular cleaning and re-oiling. Applying linseed, or a wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the life of your palette. Based on the type of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as simple as pouring a puddle of oil into the middle of the palette and then wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.
Some artists choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into the surface. This is a fantastic way to make your palette feel like a part of your art and add a sense history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock into the correct position. This is a fantastic feature to use when traveling.
Platforms such as Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes, as artists post photos of their beautiful sets to inspire others. These visual clues serve as an example of how painting on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding artistic experience. When you continue painting using your wooden palette, it'll become a favorite piece of equipment that will remind you of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint pallet the first image we have is an old wooden one used by masters of the past. Although still used by some artists but these palettes aren't ideal to use with watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was invented to solve this issue. These new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is extremely sturdy and won't break if you drop it. They're also available in a variety of sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can choose one that is comfortable to hold and fit in your hand while working.
These new palettes are known as "stay wet" palettes since they keep your paints wet and workable for a long time after you've finished painting. To prepare a stay wet palette, simply add your preferred oil painting medium to the back side of the palette and rub it into the wood until it appears somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Then, use either a paper towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, ensuring to get into all of the little 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 easily.
Another good way to prep for a wooden palette is using a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and then 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, such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good choice because it doesn't soak up paint too much, and it's also easy to clean. However, I would prefer to choose an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and it feels better in my hand. large pallets love the idea of preserving the tradition of the old masters.