10 Basics About Wooden Palette You Didn't Learn At School
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light, rigid and has smooth surfaces. It has a warm color that helps painters perceive the colors with precision.
To seal a wood 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 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 a lot easier to mix colors and move them around your canvas or board. This is a great way to have your brushes close at your fingertips. This palette has helped me save time by reducing the amount of time that I am able to spend turning my body to reach my brushes to reload them. I've also noticed that it aids with my accuracy and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that have been stained and sealed (to resist water as well as regular solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood before painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed on the palette, and then rub into it with a non-lint cotton rag. Then wipe off any excess and your palette is now ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops of it to a brown medium like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me visualize the way my shadows appear on the wood. Tone also helps me to differentiate between light and dark values in my paintings.
Over time, a properly used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. The oil from your paints will stain it, 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 - it will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. I prefer the old method of applying multiple thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane but it's worth the wait since you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette and it will only improve with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a classic option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large and stable area that is resistant to pigment absorbtion and promotes color mixing. After each use, a quick wipe with a cloth or paper towel makes cleanup easy. large pallets are also inexpensive and are available at many stores selling 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 solvent damage and feature an anti-stick coating. They are easy to clean using warm soapy water and can be used for a wide range of materials including acrylics. They are typically available in various sizes and deep wells for mixing colors.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. These plates are reusable and inexpensive and are only used once during an entire painting session. This makes them an excellent solution for plein air painting. However, they can absorb paint, which could make it difficult to clean.
One of the most effective options for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded hardwood, like pine or spruce that has a thumb hole. This allows the artist to hold the palette by inserting the thumb inserted into the hole leaving the other fingers to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps to prevent fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes using household items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also a good choice. They can be found at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually quite attractive. You can also use a piece tin foil which will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a DIY palette is a plastic stay-wet palette. These are basically a plastic box with an airtight lid. You dampen a sponge with water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you add a sheet special paper on the top to keep paint damp. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will remain damp for several days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper becomes dry.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
When you're painting watercolors or oil paints using a wooden palette can be an excellent option. They are light compared to other alternatives, particularly paper and glass, and are rigid enough for easy handling. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them simple to hold for long periods. They feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without absorbing. They can also be cleaned easily and are durable for years of use.
Wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces used by painters, and they remain a vital element in many studios of artists today. They provide an elegant, professional appearance and are ideal for mixing oils, acrylics, and alkyds. In addition, they are often made from sustainable forest practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be an environmentally responsible option for the contemporary artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the key to a wooden pallet's longevity. Reapplying linseed or a wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption, and increase the life of your palette. Re-oiling can be 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 wooden palettes with initials or other decorative elements. This is a great method to make the palette appear as an extension of your art and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalised palettes come with lids that be locked in place this is a great feature for traveling.
Instagram has also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a reminder that painting on a pallet made of wood can be a rewarding artistic experience. If you continue to paint using your wooden palette, it will become a cherished piece of equipment that reminds you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of an art pallet the first thing we think of is a wooden one, which was used by old masters. Although they are still used by some painters, these palettes are not suitable to use with watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. However, a different type of palette for painting has been invented that solves this issue. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is very robust and will not break if you drop it. These palettes are available in different sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that fits comfortably in your palm and is easy to use.
The new palettes, also known as "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints hydrated and usable for a long period of time after you've completed painting. To prepare a stay wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium to the back side of the palette and rub it in until it looks slightly tacky (like soft butter). Use a towel to wash away any oil that has accumulated, and make sure to get into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, enables the palette to hold the color and oil, while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily.
Another method to prepare for a wooden palette is using a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and rubbing it on the surface of the palette using an abrasive. This will help to protect the wooden surface and make it impervious to water and solvents. 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 plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good choice because it doesn't soak up paint too often, and is easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it is more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the thought that I'm continuing a tradition of the old masters!