Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with smooth surfaces. It has a warm hue that helps painters perceive colors in a precise manner.
Make use of boiled linseed, an unlinty rag or paper towel to seal the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the the wood palette. Repeat every day, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette allows all your oil paints right to your fingertips. This makes it easier to mix colors and move them around the surface of your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes close at fingertips. This palette has helped me save time by reducing the amount of time that I am able to spend turning my body in order to reach my brushes and reload them. I've also noticed that it aids with my precision and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that are stained and sealed to withstand water and standard artist solvents or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. Put a small amount of Linseed onto the palette, then rub it into it with a non-lint cloth. Then, wipe off the excess and your palette is now ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops of it to an oil medium that is brown, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me to visualize the shadows I'll create in my paintings. It also allows me to visualize how the colors will look against the wood. The tone will help me to distinguish between the light and dark values of my painting.
A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop an exquisite patina over time. It will get more opaque and smooth due to the oil in your paints staining it a bit and the pigments blending together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's an amazing thing to behold.
Some painters prefer to use an acrylic sealer with a clear finish on their palettes made of wood - it will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I have found that the traditional method of applying thin coats of linseed oil work perfectly for me. It takes a bit more time than polyurethane, but it's worth it as you can apply one coat each time you clean your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a classic option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a wide and stable area that is resistant to pigment absorbtion and promotes color mixing. After every use, a quick wiping with paper towels or a cloth will make cleanup easy. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes come with a nonstick coating and are lightweight. They also withstand damage caused by solvents. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, among other materials. They are available in various sizes and come with deep wells for mixing colors.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, which means they can be used for a single painting session, making them a perfect option for plein air painting. They can absorb some paint, however, which can be difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded wood like pine or spruce with a thumbhole, is one of the best options to make 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 the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole can also help keep fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes using household items. A dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic can be a great place to begin. Glass or ceramic dishes are also a good choice. They are available at yard sales or in thrift shops and are usually beautiful. You can also try a piece of tin foil, which will resist the absorption of paint and will be easy to clean.
A palette that stays wet is a substitute for the homemade palette that is extremely popular. They're basically an empty plastic container with a secure lid. You dampen a sponge with water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you put a sheet special paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be sealed and the sponge and paper will remain moist for several days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper gets dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
If you're painting oil paints or watercolors, using a wooden palette can be an excellent option. They are lighter than other alternatives like glass or paper and rigid enough to be able to be handled easily. They also have interior cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, making them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time while you work. They feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without getting absorbed. used pallets for sale are also easy to clean and are durable for years of use.
The wooden palette was one of the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They remain an integral element in many studios. They have an elegant and professional design, and are ideal for mixing oils, alkyds, and acrylics. Additionally they are usually made from sustainable forest practices. This makes using a wood pallet a sustainable option for contemporary artists.
The most important factor in the longevity of the wooden palette is regular cleaning and oiling. Reapplying linseed or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption and extend the life of your palette. Depending on the type of wood the palette is made of, re-oiling it can be as easy as pouring a pool of oil in the center of the palette and wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes with initials or other elements. This is a wonderful method to make your palette feel like a part of your art, and to create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock in the correct position. This is a fantastic feature to take with you when traveling.
Instagram has also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share pictures of their beautiful setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues are a wonderful reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a rewarding and artistically satisfying experience. As you continue to paint 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 painting pallets, the first thing we think of is an old wooden one that was used by old masters. Although still used by some artists but these palettes aren't suitable for watercolors or acrylics since the surface is porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was designed to solve this problem. These new palettes have been constructed from tempered glass that is extremely durable and won't break if dropped. They also come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is easy to hold and fits into your hand when you work.
These new palettes are called "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints moist and functional for a lengthy time after you've finished painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette and rub it in until it appears somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Then you can use either a paper towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to reach all the tiny grooves within the wood grain. This process, referred to as seasoning, allows the palette to hold the color and oil, while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.
Another good way to prep for a wooden palette is using a drying oil like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and applying it on the surface of the palette with an abrasive. This will help protect the wood and make it resistant to water and solvents. It also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it's wet.
Some artists prefer using 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. I prefer a wooden palette, because it is more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the idea that I'm preserving the tradition of the previous masters!