It's Time To Forget Wooden Palette: 10 Reasons That You No Longer Need It
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface that is also rigid. It has a warm color that aids artists in interpreting the colors with precision.
To seal a palette made of wood make use of boiled linseed oils and a lint-free rag or a high quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the surface of the wood palette. Repeat every day, both back and front.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are readily available when you use a wooden palette. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move the paints across your canvas or board. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes in hand. I've found that using such a palette can reduce the amount of time I'm shifting my body to reach and refill my brushes. I've also noticed that it aids in my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that are stained and sealed to withstand water and standard artist solvents, or you can buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you'll need to seal it before you start painting - this makes it less able to absorb of the oils you use in your oil paints. Put a small amount of Linseed onto the palette, and then rub in using a lint-free, non-lint rag. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I like to tone my palette prior to using it by adding a few drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the linseed oil. This helps me see the shadows I'll create in my paintings and it also lets me observe how the colors look against the wood. Tone can also help me distinguish between dark and light values in my artwork.
A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop a beautiful patina with time. The oils you use to paint will stain the wood and the pigments will mix to create a varnish-like finish. It's stunning to see.
Some artists employ a clear acrylic varnish to seal their palettes made of wood. This protects the wood, and also give it a stunning shine. However, I have found that the traditional method of applying thin coats of linseed oil works just fine 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 the classic choice for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large, stable area that resists pigment absorbtion and promotes color mixing. It also makes clean up simple and convenient with a quick wipe of a cloth or paper towel after each use. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts offer wooden palettes, which aren't expensive.
There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are lightweight. They also resist solvent damage. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics and other materials. They are available in various sizes and come with deep wells for mixing colors.
A styrofoam or paper dish is another popular option for acrylic painting. They are inexpensive and disposable, which means they can be used for just one painting session, making them an ideal solution for plein air painting. However, they may absorb paint, which could make them difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded lumber, 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 with the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps to prevent fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.
Some painters make their own wooden palettes using household items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic might be a great place to start. Glass or ceramic dishes are also good choices. They are available at yard sales and thrift shops. They are typically attractive. You can also use the foil piece that will resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A palette that stays wet is an alternative to the traditional palette that is very well-known. They're basically an empty plastic container with a secure lid. You moisten a sponge with water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you add an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep the paint moist. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper moist for several days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper becomes dry.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is a great option for those who paint using watercolors or oil. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives like glass or paper, and are also strong enough to handle easily. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy to hold for long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that lets paint sit on top without being absorbed. Additionally, they are easily cleaned over time.
The wooden palette was among the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They remain a vital component of many studios. They provide an elegant, professional appearance and are ideal for mixing oils, acrylics, and alkyds. pallets of wood for sale are also typically sourced with sustainable forestry practices. This is why using a wooden palette may be a green choice for the modern artist.
A key to the longevity of the wooden palette is regular cleaning and the re-oiling. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption, and prolong the longevity of your palette. Re-oiling is as easy as pouring oil into the middle of the palette and wiping it off with an lint-free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into the wood. This is an excellent option to make your palette appear as an extension of your art and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be customized with lids that lock into place. This is a fantastic feature to take with you when traveling.
Platforms such as Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual cues are a great reminder that painting with a wooden palette can be a satisfying and artistically satisfying experience. As you continue to work with your wooden palette, it will become a favorite piece of equipment and a reminder 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 one made of wood used by the masters of the past. These palettes, though utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surfaces. A new paint palette was created to address this problem. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is very robust and will not break if you drop it. They're also available in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand when you work.
These new palettes, called "stay-wet" palettes, help keep your paints moist and useable for a prolonged period of time after you have finished painting. To make a stay wet palette, simply add your preferred oil painting medium to the back side of the palette. Rub purchase wood pallets into the wood until it appears slightly tacky (like soft butter). Then you can use either a paper towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to get into all of the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, helps the palette to retain oil and pigment while allowing brush hairs to move through with ease.
A drying oil like linseed or walnut can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it using an abrasive to the surface. This will help to protect the wooden surface and make it impervious to solvents and water. It also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer to use disposable palettes, such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great choice because it doesn't absorb paint as much, and it's easy-to-clean. I prefer a wooden palette, because it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also like the idea that I'm continuing the tradition of the previous masters!