Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light and rigid, and has an even surface. It also has warm tones that allow artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
Use boiled linseed and a lint-free rag or paper towel to protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, both front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette brings all your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it easier to mix your colors and move them around your board or canvas. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes close at fingertips. I've discovered that using a palette of this sort reduces the amount of time I spend turning my body to reach and refill my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps with my precision and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that have been stained and sealed (to resist water as well as standard artist solvents) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior to painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed on the palette, and then rub it into it with a lint-free cotton rag. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed prior using it by adding a few drops to a brown medium, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me visualize how my shadows will look on the wood. Tone can also help me distinguish between shades of light and dark in my artwork.
As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will begin to develop a gorgeous patina. The oil from your paints will stain it, and the pigments will combine to form a varnish-like finish. It's beautiful to see.
Some artists prefer using an acrylic sealer with a clear finish on their palettes made of wood - this can protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. I prefer the old method of applying thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a little longer than polyurethane, but it is worth it as you can apply one coat every time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the classic option for acrylic and oil painting. It has a large, stable area that resists the absorption of color and facilitates color mixing. After each use, a quick wipe with a paper towel or cloth makes cleanup easy. Wooden palettes are also inexpensive and can be found in the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
If you are a modern acrylic artist there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are a lighter option that is resistant to damage from solvents and also have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, and other materials. They are usually available in various sizes and deep wells for color mixing.
A dish made of paper or styrofoam is a different option for acrylic painting. They are cheap and disposable, which means they can be used for only one painting session, making them a perfect solution for plein air painting. However, they may absorb paint, which could make it difficult to clean.
One of the most effective alternatives for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce with a thumb hole. This allows the artist to hold the palette using the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own homemade wooden palette from household items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic can be a great place to start. Glass or ceramic dishes are also a good choice. You can find them at auctions and thrift shops. They are generally attractive. You can also make use of a piece tin foil which will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.
A palette that stays wet is a substitute for the traditional palette that is very well-known. These are basically a plastic box with a lid that is tight. You place a sponge in the bottom, which you then make damp with water, and then place a piece of paper that is specially designed to keep the paint moist. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will stay damp for several days. If the paper starts to dry out it is possible to add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is an excellent choice for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. They are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper and are strong enough to be able to be handled easily. They feature cutouts in the interior for your thumb and other fingers. sell pallets near me makes them simple to hold for long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to be able to sit on top of the surface without being absorbed, and they can be cleaned easily for years of use.
The wooden palette was among the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are an essential component of many studios. They have a classic and professional look and are ideal to mix alkyds, oils and acrylics. Additionally they are usually sourced from sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette could be a sustainable option for the contemporary artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is key to a wooden pallet's longevity. Applying linseed, or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption, and increase the lifespan of your palette. Re-oiling is as easy as pouring oil in the middle of the palette and wiping with a lint free cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes with initials or other elements. This is a wonderful method to make your palette feel as if it's part of your artwork and create a sense of history for your tool. sell pallets near me of these personalized palettes have lids that can lock in the position this is a great feature for traveling.
Instagram has also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists upload pictures of their beautiful setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues serve as an encouragement to paint on a wooden palette can be a rewarding, artistic experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become an item that you will treasure and an enduring reminder of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about a paint pallet, the first thing we think of is an old wooden one, which was used by masters of the past. These palettes, although still utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours due to their porous surface. However, a new type of palette for paint has been invented that solves this problem. These new palettes have been constructed from tempered glass that is extremely strong and won't break in the event of a drop. The palettes are available in different sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can pick one that is comfortable in your palm and is easy to use.
These new palettes, referred to as "stay-wet" palettes, help keep your paints moist and usable for a prolonged period of time after you've completed painting. To prepare a stay wet palette, simply add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it in until it looks somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Then you can use an old towel or lint free cloth to clean any excess, ensuring to get it into all the tiny grooves within the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, assists the palette to keep the pigment and oil, while allowing hairs of the brush to pass through easily.
Another method to prepare a wooden palette is by using a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and rubbing it to the surface of the palette using an abrasive. This will help to protect the wooden surface 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 painters like to use disposable palettes like paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option because it won't absorb the paint too much and it's easy to clean. However, I'd rather to use a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable, and it feels more comfortable in my hands. I also like the idea that I'm carrying on the tradition of the previous masters!