Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface and is rigid. It also has warm tones that allow artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
To seal a wood palette use boiled linseed oil and an lint-free rag, or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette can bring all of your oil paints right at your fingertips. This makes it easier to mix colors and then move the paints across your canvas or board. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes close at hand. This palette has helped me reduce the amount of time I have to turn around my body in order to reach my brushes and reload them. I've also noticed that it aids me in my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed (to resist water and standard artist solvents) or you can purchase unfinished ones 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 the palette, and then rub in using a lint-free, non-lint cotton rag. Then, wipe off the excess and your palette is ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops of it to a brown medium like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me see the shadows I'll create in my paintings. It also allows me to observe how the colors appear against the wood. The tone helps me distinguish between the dark and light values of my painting.
Over time, a properly used wooden pallet will begin to develop a gorgeous patina. It will become more opaque and smooth due to the oil in your paints staining it little and the pigments mixing together to form their own varnish-like coating. It's stunning to look at.
Some artists prefer using an acrylic sealer that is clear on their wooden palettes - this can protect the wood and give it an attractive shine. I prefer the old method of applying multiple thin layers of oils from linseed. It takes a bit more time than using polyurethane, but it's worth the wait because you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette, and it will only improve over time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a popular choice for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large, stable area that resists pigment absorbtion and promotes color mixing. It also makes clean up easy and simple with a quick wipe of a cloth or paper towel after each use. Wooden palettes are also inexpensive and are available at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
If you are a modern acrylic artist there are numerous palette options. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that is resistant to damage from solvents and also have an anti-stick coating. They are easy to clean with warm soapy water and are utilized for a variety of materials, including acrylics. They are available in different sizes and come with deep wells to mix colors.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, so they can be used for just one painting session, making them a great 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 for creating an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold it using their other fingers. The thumb hole is designed to stop fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some painters prefer to make their own wooden palettes using common items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be a good place to start. You can also pick up old ceramic or glass dishes. You can find them at yard sales and thrift shops. They are usually quite gorgeous. You can even try using a piece of tin foil that will block the absorption of paint and will be easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet plastic palette. These are basically an empty plastic container with a tight lid. You soak a sponge in water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you place a sheet special paper on the top to keep the paint wet. The box can be kept closed and keep the sponge and paper wet for several days. If the paper starts to dry out, you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists
If you're painting oil paints or watercolors, a wooden palette can be the best option. These palettes are lighter than other options like glass or paper and rigid enough to handle easily. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them simple to hold during long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that lets paint sit on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, they are easy to clean to last for a long time.
The wooden palette was one of the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are still an integral part of many studios. They have an elegant and professional design and are perfect for mixing oils, alkyds, and acrylics. They are often made using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wood pallet a green option for modern artists.
Agrony Trading llc to the longevity of a wooden palette is regular cleaning and re-oiling. Applying linseed, or a wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption, and prolong the lifespan of your palette. Depending on the type of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as easy as pouring a pool of oil in the center of the palette, then wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes with initials or decorative elements. This is a great way to make the palette feel like an extension of your work and give a sense of historical significance to your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock into the place. This is a great feature to use when traveling.
Instagram has also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists upload photos of their beautifully-arranged setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden palette is a rewarding, artistic experience. As you continue to paint with your wooden palette it will become a beloved piece of equipment that will remind you of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of an art pallet the first thing we imagine is a wooden one used by old masters. While still used by a few artists but these palettes aren't suitable for acrylics or watercolors because the surface is porous and absorbs the paint too much. A new paint palette was created to address this issue. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is extremely robust and will not break if you drop it. They are also available in various sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can choose one that is easy to hold and fits into your hand when you work.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes due to the fact that they keep your paints hydrated and able to work for a long time after you've completed painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette and rub it in until it looks slightly tacky (like soft butter). Then apply a paper towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, ensuring to reach all the little grooves in the wood grain. This process, referred to as seasoning, enables the palette to retain the oil and pigment while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily.
Another way to prepare a wooden palette is by applying a drying oil - like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and then applying it to the surface of the palette using an abrasive. This will help to seal the wood and make it more resistant to solvents and water. This will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when 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 too much, and it's easy-to-clean. However, I would prefer to choose a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable, and it is more comfortable to hold. I also love the thought that I'm preserving the legacy of the old masters!