Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with smooth surfaces. It has a warm hue that aids artists in interpreting colors accurately.
Make use of boiled linseed, a lint-free rag or paper towel to protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, back and front.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette brings all of your oil paints right at your fingertips. This makes it easier to mix your colors and move them across the surface of your canvas or board. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes at fingertips. This palette has helped me save time by reducing the amount of time I spend turning around my body in order to reach my brushes and reload them. I've noticed that it also helps me with my accuracy and consistency.
You can either buy wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to withstand water and standard solvents for artists, or you can buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood before painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this simply put a small amount of linseed oil on the palette, and then rub it in with an lint-free cloth until it's fully saturated. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I like to tone my palette prior use 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 allows me to visualize how the colors will look against the wood. The tone helps me to distinguish between the light and dark values of my painting.
A well-used wooden palette will develop a gorgeous patina over time. The oils from your paints will stain it, and the pigments will blend together to create a varnish-like finish. It's beautiful to see.
Some artists prefer to apply a clear acrylic sealer on their wooden palettes - this will protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. However, I've found that the old way of applying thin coats of linseed oil is perfectly for me. It takes a little 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 classic choice for acrylic and oil painting. It offers a wide, stable surface that resists pigment absorption and facilitates optimal mixing of colors. After each use, a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth makes cleanup easy. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and are available at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
For the modern acrylic painter, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes come with a nonstick coating and are light. They also withstand the effects of solvents. purchase wood pallets are easy to clean using warm soapy water and are utilized for a variety of materials, including acrylics. They are usually available in a variety of sizes and deep wells for color mixing.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. These plates are reusable and inexpensive and can only be used once for a painting session. This makes them a great choice for plein air painting. They may absorb some paint, however, which can be difficult to clean.
One of the best alternatives for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded hardwood such as spruce or pine, with a thumb hole. purchase wood pallets can be placed into the hole to allow the artist to hold the palette 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 aluminum or plastic foil covered dish can be a good place to start. You can also choose old glass or ceramic dishes. You can find them at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are typically beautiful. You can also try an tin foil piece that will ward off the absorption of paint and be easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet plastic palette. They are basically a plastic box with an airtight lid. You place a sponge at the bottom, which you then dampen with water, then you place a sheet of specialty paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be sealed and the sponge and paper will stay wet for a few days. If the paper dries out it is possible to add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
If you're painting with oil paints or watercolors, the wooden palette is the best option. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives like glass or paper and rigid enough to handle easily. They also have cut-outs in the interior for the thumb and other fingers, making them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without absorbing. They are also easily cleaned and are durable for years of use.
Wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by painters, and they remain an integral part of many artist's studios in the present. They have a classic and professional look, and are ideal to mix alkyds, oils, and acrylics. Additionally they are typically made from sustainable forest practices. In this way, using a wooden palette could be an environmentally responsible choice for the modern artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the essential to the longevity of a wooden pallet. A reapplication of linseed oil or a specialized wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and prolong the life of the palette. Based on the type of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as simple as pouring a pool of oil into the center of the palette and then wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into them. This is an excellent option to make your palette appear as an extension of your artwork and bring a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock into the correct position. This is a fantastic feature to use when 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 clues serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden palette can be a rewarding artistic experience. When you continue painting with your wooden palette, it will become a cherished piece of equipment that will remind you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint pallet, the first thing we think of is an old wooden one, which was used by masters of the past. Although they are still used by some artists, these palettes are not ideal for use with watercolors or acrylics due to the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. A new palette for painting was created to address this issue. These new palettes have been constructed from tempered glass that is extremely sturdy 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 easy to use.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes since they keep your paints hydrated and able to work for a long time after you've finished painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium to the back side of the palette. Rub it into the wood until it appears somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Then, use an old towel or lint-free cloth to wipe off any excess, making sure to reach all the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, enables the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily.
Another method to prepare for a wooden palette is using a drying oil - such as linseed, safflower or walnut - and applying it to the surface of the palette using an abrasive. This will help seal the wood and make it more resistant 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 option since it doesn't absorb paint too much and it's 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 carrying on a tradition of the old masters!