Check Out: How Wooden Palette Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light and rigid, and has an even surface. It has a warm hue that helps painters perceive colors in a precise manner.
Use boiled linseed and a lint-free rag or paper towel to seal a wooden palette. Rub the oil on the the wood palette. Repeat every day, both in front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette brings all your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it a lot easier to mix colors and move them around your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes at fingertips. I've noticed that such a palette really cuts down on the amount of time I'm moving my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it aids with my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to withstand the effects of water and standard solvents for artists or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with wood that is raw, you'll need to seal it prior to painting - this will make it less absorbent of the oils you use in your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed on the palette, then rub it into it with a lint-free cloth. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use.
I like to tone my palette prior to using it by adding some drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This helps me visualize the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings. great site 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.
As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. It will become more opaque and smooth, with the oil from your paints staining it a bit and the pigments merging together to form their own varnish-like coating. It's beautiful to see.
Some artists prefer using an acrylic sealer that is clear on their palettes made of wood - it will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying multiple thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane but it's worth the wait because you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette, and it will only get better with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a classic choice for acrylic and oil painting. It offers a wide, stable surface that resists pigment absorption and promotes optimal mixing of colors. After every use, a quick wipe with a paper towel or cloth makes cleanup easy. The majority of craft stores offer wooden palettes, which aren't expensive.
There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lighter option that is resistant to solvent damage and have an anti-stick coating. They are easy to clean with warm soapy water and can be utilized for a variety of materials, including acrylics. They are available in a variety of sizes and have deep wells that allow mixing colors.
A paper or styrofoam dish is a popular alternative for acrylic painting. These are affordable and disposable, so they can be used for just one painting session, making them a great option for plein air painting. They can take in some paint though, which could be difficult to wash.
One of the most effective alternatives for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce that has a thumb hole. This lets the artist hold the palette using the thumb in the hole, leaving the other fingers free for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole is designed to stop fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own homemade wooden palette from common items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic could be a great place to begin. Glass or ceramic dishes are also good choices. You can find them at auctions and thrift shops. They are typically attractive. You can also try using a piece of tin foil, which will resist the absorption of paint and will be easy to clean.
A stay-wet palette is a substitute for the DIY palette that is extremely popular. These are essentially a plastic box with an airtight lid. You place a sponge in the bottom that you wet with water, then you place a sheet of special paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be closed and will keep the sponge and paper wet for a few days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper gets dry.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
Whether you are painting oil paints or watercolors using an wooden palette is an excellent option. These palettes are lightweight compared to other options, especially paper and glass and are strong enough to make it easy to handle. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold for long periods. They have a satin finish that allows paint to rest on top without being absorbed, and they are easy to clean to last for a long time.
The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They are still a vital element in many studios. They have a classic, professional look and are perfect to mix acrylics, oils and alkyds. They are also often sourced by forestry practices that are sustainable. In this way, using a wooden palette could be an environmentally responsible option for the contemporary artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is key to a wooden pallet's longevity. Reapplying linseed oil or a specialized wood conditioner can help to prevent excessive absorption and extend the lifespan of the palette. Re-oiling can be 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 decorative elements into the surface. This is a wonderful method to make your palette feel like part of your art, and to give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalised palettes have lids that can lock in the place, which is a nice feature for traveling.
Instagram has also played a part in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists post photos of their beautifully-arranged setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues serve as an example of how painting on a pallet made of wood is 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 creative journey.
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 used by old masters. These palettes, although still used by some artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surfaces. However, a new kind of paint palette has been developed to solve this issue. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is robust and won't break should you drop it. They are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fit in your hand while working.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints moist and able to work for a long time after you've finished painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, simply add your preferred oil painting medium on the back side of the palette. Rub it in until it looks somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Use a paper towel to remove any excess oil and make sure to get in all the grooves of 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.
Drying oils, such as linseed or walnut, can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it using an abrasive on the surface. This will help to seal the wood and make it resistant to solvents and water. It also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it's wet.
Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes, such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great choice because it doesn't soak up paint too often, and is easy to clean. However, I'd rather to choose a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and it is more comfortable to hold. I also love the thought that I'm preserving the legacy of the old masters!