Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface and is rigid. It also has a warm tone that helps painters to perceive colors accurately when painting.
To seal a palette made of wood make use of boiled linseed oil as well as a lint-free rag or high quality paper towel. Rub the oil into the surface of the 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. It's also a great method to keep your brushes close to hand. This palette has helped me save time by reducing the amount of time I have to turn around my body in order to reach my brushes and then reload them. I've noticed that it improves my precision 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. When working with wood that is raw, you will want to seal it prior to painting - this makes it less able to absorb of the oils you use in your oil paints. To do this, pour a small pool of linseed oil on the palette and then rub it in using a lint free cloth until it's saturated. After that, clean off the excess and your palette is ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette before use by adding the smallest amount of brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the linseed oil. This helps me to visualize the shadows I'll create in my paintings and it also allows me to see how the colors will look against the wood. The tone will help me distinguish between the dark and light values of my painting.
A well-used wooden palette will develop a gorgeous patina over time. It will become more opaque and smooth, thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it bit and the pigments blending together to form a varnish-like coating. It's a gorgeous thing to see.
Some artists prefer to apply an acrylic sealer with a clear finish on their wooden palettes, it will protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. However, I have found that the old method of applying several thin coats of linseed oil is well for me. It takes a bit longer than polyurethane but it's worth it as you can apply one coat every time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is a popular option for acrylic and oil painting. It provides a large and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and promotes optimal mixing of colors. After every use, a quick wiping with a cloth or paper towel makes cleanup simple. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and are available at many stores selling arts and crafts.
If you are a modern acrylic artist, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that resist solvent damage and have an anti-stick coating. They are easy to clean using warm soapy water and are used with a variety of materials including acrylics. They are typically available in a variety of sizes and deep wells to mix colors.
Another option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. These plates are reusable and inexpensive, so they can only be used once for the duration of a painting session. This makes them a great choice for plein air painting. They can absorb some of the paint, and could be difficult to wash.
One of the best alternatives for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded hardwood, like pine or spruce that has a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the hole to allow the artist to hold it with their other fingers. The thumb hole also helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.
Some painters make their own wooden palettes from household items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to begin. Glass or ceramic dishes are also a good choice. They are available at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually quite beautiful. You could also try a piece of tin foil that will ward off the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
A palette that stays wet is a substitute for the traditional palette that is very well-known. They're basically a plastic box with a secure lid. You moisten a sponge with water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you place a sheet special paper on the top to keep the paint damp. The box can be sealed and the sponge and paper will remain moist for several days. If the paper begins to dry it is possible to add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is a fantastic option for anyone who paints with watercolors or oil. They are lighter than other options such as glass or paper and rigid enough to handle easily. They also have interior 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 getting absorbed. They are also easy to clean and last for many years of use.
The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces used by artists and are still an important part of many artist's studios today. They have an elegant, professional look and are perfect for mixing oils, acrylics and alkyds. They are also often sourced with sustainable forestry practices. This is why using a wooden palette could be a sustainable option for the contemporary artist.
The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is frequent cleaning and the re-oiling. Reapplying linseed oils or a specialized wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption and prolong the lifespan of the palette. Depending on the kind of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as easy as pouring a small amount of oil into the center of the palette, then wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.
Some artists even choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into them. This is a fantastic option to make your palette feel like a part of your art, and to give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalised palettes come with lids that be locked into the place this is a great feature for travel.
Instagram has also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists upload photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. These visual signals 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 reminds you of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint palette the first image that comes to mind is one made of wood, used by the masters of the past. These palettes, although still used by some artists are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics because of their porous surfaces. However, used pallets for sale of palette for painting has been invented that solves this problem. These new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is very robust and won't break should you drop it. They also come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fit into your hand when you work.
These new palettes, called "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints moist and usable for a long time after you've completed painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint looks tacky (like butter). Use a paper towel to get rid of any oil that has accumulated, and make sure to get into all grooves of the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, allows the palette to keep the oil and pigment while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.
A drying oil such as linseed, or walnut, can be used to prepare a wooden palette. Apply it using an abrasive on the surface. This will help seal the wood and make it more resistant to water and solvents. It will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it's wet.
Some painters like to use disposable palettes like paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option because it doesn't soak up 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 love the idea of carrying on the legacy of the previous masters.