Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with an even surface. It also has warm tones that help painters to perceive colors accurately when painting.
Make use of boiled linseed, an unlinty rag or paper towel to protect a wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the the wood palette. Repeat daily, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette brings all of your oil paints right to your fingertips. This makes it a lot easier to mix colors and move them across the surface of your board or canvas. It's also a great way to keep your brushes close to the ready. I've discovered that using such a palette really cuts down on the amount of time I spend turning my body to reach and refill my brushes. I've also noticed that it 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 buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior to painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed on the palette, and then rub in with a non-lint rag. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed prior using it by adding a few drops of it to a brown medium, like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This allows me to imagine how my shadows will appear on the wood. Tone also helps me to differentiate between light and dark values in my artwork.
A well-used wooden palette will form a gorgeous patina over time. The oil from your paints will stain it, and the pigments will combine to form a varnish-like finish. It's stunning to look at.
Some painters employ a clear acrylic varnish to seal their wooden palettes. This will protect the wood, and also give it a stunning shine. However, I have found that the traditional method of applying several thin coats of linseed oil work well for me. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane but it's worth it because you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette and it will only get better with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is a popular choice for oil and acrylic painting. It offers a wide and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and facilitates optimal mixing of colors. After every use, a quick wipe with a cloth or paper towel makes cleanup easy. The majority of craft stores have wooden palettes that are affordable.
For a modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are coated with a nonstick substance and are lightweight. They also resist solvent damage. 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 option for acrylic painting is a paper or styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, which means they can be used for just one painting session, making them a perfect option for plein air painting. However, they could absorb some paint which can make them difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded lumber, such as pine or spruce that has a thumbhole, is one of the best options to create an acrylic paint pallet that can be used for a long time. This allows the artist to hold the palette using the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps stop fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own homemade wooden palettes using everyday items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be an ideal place to begin. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also an excellent option. buy pallets uk are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are usually quite gorgeous. You can also make use of a piece tin foil which can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet palette. These are basically a plastic box with a tight lid. You moisten a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you place an extra sheet of paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will remain damp for several days. If the paper begins to dry, you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
Whether you are painting oil paints or watercolors, a wooden palette can be the best option. These palettes are lighter than other options such as glass or paper, and are also strong enough to be able to be handled easily. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold during long periods. They have a satin finish that allows paint to rest on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, they are easy to clean over time.
Wooden palettes were one of the first mixing surfaces used by artists, and they remain an integral element in many studios of artists today. They have an elegant and professional design, and are ideal to mix alkyds, oils, and acrylics. They are often made with sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette may be an environmentally responsible option for the contemporary artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is the most important factor in the longevity of a wooden pallet. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption and extend the lifespan of your palette. Re-oiling is as easy as pouring oil into the middle of the palette, and wiping with a lint free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or other decorative elements into the wood. This is a great way to make the palette feel like an extension of your art and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalised palettes come with lids that lock in the position, which is a nice feature for traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, with artists posting pictures of their stunningly arranged sets to inspire others. These visual cues serve as an example of how painting on a pallet made of wood can be a rewarding artistic experience. If you continue to paint using your wooden palette, it'll become a favorite piece of equipment that will remind you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a palette to paint the first image that comes to mind is a wooden one that was used by masters of the past. These palettes, although still utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics due to their porous surface. However, a new type of paint palette has been developed to solve this issue. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely sturdy and won't crack if dropped. The palettes are available in different sizes and shapes, so you can choose one that fits comfortably in your hand and is simple to use.
These new palettes are known as "stay wet" palettes since they keep your paints wet and workable for a long time after you've completed painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium to the back side of the palette and rub it into the wood until it appears slightly tacky (like soft butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil and make sure to get into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, enables the palette to hold pigment and oil while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily.
Drying oil like linseed or walnut, can be used to prepare a wooden palette. Apply it with an abrasive on the surface. This will seal the wood, making it resistant to water and solvents. This also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes, such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great option since it doesn't absorb paint too much and it's easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to use a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and it feels better in my hand. I love the idea of continuing the legacy of the previous masters.