Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface and is rigid. It is a warm-colored palette which helps artists perceive colors accurately.
To seal a wood palette make use of boiled linseed oils and an lint-free rag, or a high quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the surface of the wood palette. Repeat every day, both on both sides.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are at your fingertips when you work with a wooden palette. This makes it much easier to mix your colors and move them around the surface of your board or canvas. It's also a great way to keep your brushes close to hand. I've discovered that using a palette of this sort really cuts down on the amount of time I spend turning my body to grab and reload my brushes. I've noticed that it also helps me with my accuracy and consistency.
You can buy wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood before painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount of linseed onto your palette, and then rub into it with a clean cloth. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops of it to an oil medium that is brown, like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This allows me to imagine how my shadows will appear on the wood. The tone helps me differentiate between the dark and light values of my painting.
A well-used wooden palette will form a beautiful patina with time. The oils you use to paint will stain the wood and the pigments will blend together to form a varnish-like finish. It's an amazing thing to behold.
Some artists use a clear acrylic varnish to seal their palettes made of wood. This protects the wood, and also give it a stunning shine. I prefer the old method of applying multiple thin layers of oils from linseed. It takes a bit more time than polyurethane, but it is worth it as you can apply one coat each time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a classic option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large solid, stable surface that blocks pigment absorbtion and promotes mixing of colors. After each use, a quick wiping with a cloth or paper towel makes cleanup easy. Most arts and crafts stores offer wooden palettes, which are affordable.
There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that resist solvent damage and feature a non-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, as well as other materials. They are typically available in several sizes with deep wells for color mixing.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. These are affordable and disposable so they can be used for a single painting session, making them a perfect option for plein air painting. They may absorb some of the paint, however, which could be difficult to wash.
A piece of sanded wood like spruce or pine with a thumbhole, is one of the best options to create an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. This lets the artist hold the palette using the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers free for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole also helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists create their own wooden palettes from household items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic might be a great place to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also good choices. You can find them at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are generally beautiful. You can even try using a piece of tin foil, which will resist the absorption of paint and be easy to clean.
A palette that stays wet is an alternative to the homemade palette that is extremely popular. They are basically boxes made of plastic that have an airtight lid. You moisten a sponge with water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you add a sheet special paper on the top to keep paint damp. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper wet for a few days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper gets dry.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is an excellent option for those who paint using watercolors or oil. They are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper and are strong enough to handle easily. They also have internal cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, which makes them comfortable to hold for long periods of time while you work. They have a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without being absorbed. They are also easy to clean and are durable for years of use.
Wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by painters, and they remain a vital part of many artist's studios in the present. They offer a classic, professional look and are ideal for mixing oils, acrylics, and alkyds. They are also often sourced using sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be an environmentally responsible option for the contemporary artist.
Regular cleaning and agronytradingllc re-oiling is key to the durability of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oils or a specialized wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the longevity of the 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 opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into the wood. This is a fantastic way to make your palette feel as if it's part of your artwork and create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock in place. This is a fantastic feature for traveling.
Platforms such as Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, with artists sharing photos of their beautifully arranged sets to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a good reminder that painting with a wooden palette can be a rewarding and artistically satisfying experience. As you continue to work with your wooden palette, it will eventually become a favorite 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 thing that comes to mind is one made of wood used by the masters of the past. While still used by a few painters but these palettes aren't ideal for watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs the paint too much. A new paint palette was created to address this problem. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely sturdy and won't break if you drop it. These palettes are available in different sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use.
The new palettes, also known as "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints moist and useable for a prolonged period of time after you've completed painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Use a paper towel to get rid of any excess oil and ensure that you get into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, allows the palette to retain the oil and pigment while allowing brushhairs to pass easily.
Drying oil like linseed or walnut is a great option to make a wooden palette. Apply it with an abrasive on the surface. This will help seal the wood and make it more resistant to solvents and water. It will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer to use disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option because it doesn't absorb paint as much, and it's easy-to-clean. However, I would prefer to choose an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and it feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the thought that I'm preserving the tradition of the previous masters!