Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light and strong, with an even surface. It also has warm tones that help artists to see colors clearly when painting.
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 surface of the wood palette. Repeat every day, both back and front.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are at your fingertips when you use a wooden palette. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them around the surface of your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes at hand. This palette has helped me to save time by reducing the amount of time that I spend turning around my body in order to reach my brushes to reload them. I've also noticed that it aids in my accuracy and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to withstand the effects of water and standard solvents for artists or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this simply pour a small amount linseed oil on the palette, and then rub it in using a lint free rag until it is fully saturated. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops to a brown medium, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This allows me to imagine the way my shadows appear on the wood. The tone helps me differentiate between the light and dark values of my painting.
A well-used wooden palette will form an exquisite patina over time. It will become more opaque and smooth, with the oil from your paints staining it little and the pigments mixing together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's a gorgeous thing to see.
Some artists prefer to apply an acrylic sealer that is clear on their wooden palettes - it will protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. However, I've found that the traditional method of applying several thin coats of linseed oil is perfectly for me. It takes a bit more time 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 get better with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is a popular option for acrylic and oil painting. It has a wide and stable area that is resistant to pigment absorbtion and promotes mixing of colors. It also makes clean up easy and simple by simply wiping a cloth or paper towel after each use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
There are many options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are lightweight. They also withstand solvent damage. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, and other materials. They are usually available in several sizes with deep wells for mixing colors.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. These plates are reusable and inexpensive which means they are only used once during the duration of a painting session. This is why they are a great option for plein-air painting. However, they can absorb paint, which can make them difficult to clean.
agronytrading of the most effective alternatives for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood like spruce or pine with a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold it using their other fingers. The thumb hole helps keep fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.
Some painters prefer to make their own wooden palettes using everyday items. A dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also good choices. They can be found at yard sales or in thrift shops and are often quite beautiful. You can also use a piece tin foil which can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet palette. They're basically made of plastic with a tight lid. You dampen a sponge with water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you add a sheet special paper on top to keep the paint damp. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper wet for days. If the paper begins to dry you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is a great option for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper and are strong enough to handle 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 be applied without being absorbed. They are also easy to clean and are durable for years of use.
Wooden palettes were one of the first mixing surfaces utilized by painters, and they remain an integral component of many artists' studios in the present. They provide an elegant, professional look and are ideal to mix acrylics, oils, and alkyds. They are often made with sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wood pallet a sustainable choice for contemporary artists.
The key to the long-term durability of the wooden palette is regular cleaning and the re-oiling. Reapplying linseed or a wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption, and prolong the longevity of your palette. Based on the type of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as easy as pouring a puddle of oil in the center of the palette and wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.
Some artists even choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or other decorative elements into the wood. This is a great method to make your palette feel as if it's part of your art, and to add a sense history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be customized with lids that lock in the correct position. This is an excellent feature to use when traveling.
Instagram has also played a part in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists post pictures of their beautiful setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual signals serve as an example of how painting on a wooden palette can be a rewarding artistic experience. If you continue to use your wooden palette, it will eventually become an item that you will treasure and a reminder of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint pallet, the first thing we think of is an old wooden one that was used by old masters. While still used by a few painters but these palettes aren't suitable for watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. However, a new type of palette for painting is being developed that solves this issue. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is very sturdy and won't break if you drop it. These palettes are available in various sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can pick one that fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes since they keep your paints wet and functional for a lengthy time after you've completed painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint is tacky (like butter). Use a paper towel to remove any oil that has accumulated, and ensure that you get into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, referred to as seasoning, enables the palette to hold the oil and pigment while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.
A drying oil such as linseed, or walnut, can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it using a rag to the surface. This will seal the wood and make it impervious to solvents and water. It will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good option because it doesn't absorb paint too much, and it's easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette, because it's more durable and feels better in my hands. I am awestruck by the idea of continuing the tradition of the old masters.