A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface that is also rigid. It is a warm-colored palette which helps artists perceive colors accurately.
To seal a wooden palette make use of boiled linseed oils and an lint-free rag, or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the the wood palette. Repeat every day, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette can bring all your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them around the surface of your canvas or board. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes in your fingertips. I've found that using a palette of this sort can reduce the amount of time I spend turning my body to grab and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it aids with my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water and regular solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you'll need to seal it prior to painting - this will make it less adsorbent of the oils in your oil paints. To do this, pour a small amount linseed oil on the palette and then rub it in with an lint-free rag until it is saturated. 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 be creating in my paintings. It helps me observe how the colors appear against the wood. The tone will help me distinguish between the dark and light values of my painting.
As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will begin to develop a gorgeous patina. The oils from your paints will stain the wood and the pigments will blend together to create a varnish-like finish. It's gorgeous to see.
Some artists prefer to apply an acrylic sealer with a clear finish on their wooden palettes - this can protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I've found that the traditional method of applying thin coats of linseed oil works perfectly for me. It takes a little longer than using polyurethane but it's worth the wait since you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette. And it will only improve with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is an ideal choice for acrylic and oil painting. It offers a wide and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and promotes optimal mixing of colors. It also makes cleaning easy and quick by simply wiping a paper towel or cloth after every use. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts offer wooden palettes, which are inexpensive.
For the modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are coated with a nonstick substance and are lightweight. They also resist damage caused by solvents. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics as well as other materials. They are available in a variety of 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, so they can be used for just one painting session, which makes them a perfect solution for plein air painting. However, they could absorb paint, which can make it difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded wood such as pine or spruce with a thumbhole, is one of the best options to make a permanent acrylic paint pallet. 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 helps keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some painters prefer to make their own wooden palettes using household items. An old aluminum or plastic foil covered dish can be an excellent place to begin. Glass or ceramic dishes are also a good choice. They are available at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually pretty. You can also use a piece tin foil which will resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet palette. They are essentially an empty plastic container with a lid that is tight. You dampen a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you put a sheet special paper on top to keep paint wet. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will stay wet for a few days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper starts to dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
Whether you are painting watercolors or oil paints, an wooden palette is an excellent option. They are light compared to other options, especially paper and glass and are strong enough to allow for easy handling. They also have cut-outs in the interior for the thumb and other fingers, making them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time while you work. They have a satin finish that allows paint to be able to sit on top of the surface without being absorbed. Additionally, they can be cleaned easily for years of use.
The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They remain an essential component of many studios. They provide an elegant, professional appearance and are perfect for mixing oils, acrylics, and alkyds. They are also often sourced by forestry practices that are sustainable. This is why using a wooden palette may be a sustainable choice for the modern artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the essential to a wooden pallet warehouse's longevity. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption and extend the lifespan of your palette. Depending on the kind of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as easy as pouring a puddle of oil into the center of the palette and wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes with initials or other elements. This is an excellent 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 personalised palettes come with lids that be locked into the position and lock in place, which is a wonderful feature for traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, with artists sharing photos of their beautifully arranged setups to inspire others. These visual signals serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding, artistic experience. If you continue to paint with 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 for painting, the first image that comes to mind is a wooden one used by the masters of the past. These palettes, although still used by some artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surfaces. A new paint palette was designed to solve this problem. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is very robust and will not break if you drop it. These 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 called "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints moist and workable for a long time after you've finished painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Then, use either a paper towel or lint free cloth to wipe off any excess, making sure to get it into all the little grooves in the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, allows the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily.
Another good way to prep a wooden palette is by using a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and then applying it on the surface of the palette using a rag. This will help seal the wood and make it more resistant to solvents and water. It will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when 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 often, and is easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to make use of a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and it feels better in my hand. I also love the idea that I'm continuing the tradition of the previous masters!
