Wooden Palette: A Simple Definition
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light and strong, with smooth surfaces. It also has warm tones that help artists to see colors clearly when painting.
To seal a wooden palette use boiled linseed oil and an lint-free rag, or high quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, both in front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are at your fingertips using a wooden palette. This makes it easier to mix colors and move them around your canvas or board. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes at hand. sell pallets near me has helped me save time by reducing the amount of time that I spend turning around my body to reach my brushes and reload them. I've noticed that it also improves my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water and regular solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing large pallets before painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed onto your palette, then rub it in with a lint-free cloth. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops to a brown medium like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me see the shadows I'll create in my paintings. It also allows me to observe how the colors appear against the wood. Tone also helps me distinguish between dark and light values in my paintings.
With time, 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 blending together to form their own varnish-like coating. It's beautiful to see.
Some artists use a clear acrylic varnish to seal their palettes made of wood. This will protect the wood, and will give it a stunning shine. I prefer the old method of applying thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a bit more time than polyurethane but it's worth it because you can apply a coat each time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a popular choice for acrylic and oil painting. It has a large and stable area that is resistant to pigment absorbtion and promotes color mixing. It also makes cleaning simple and convenient by a quick wipe with a paper towel or cloth after every use. The majority of craft stores have wooden palettes that aren't expensive.
There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lighter option that is resistant to damage from solvents and also have 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 color mixing.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. They are cheap and disposable so they can be used for only one painting session, which makes them a perfect option for plein air painting. They may absorb some paint, however, which is difficult to remove.
One of the most effective alternatives for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded hardwood like spruce or pine with a thumb hole. This allows the artist to hold the palette by inserting the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole also helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes from household items. A dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to begin. You can also choose old glass or ceramic dishes. They are available at auctions and thrift shops. They are typically beautiful. You can also use the foil piece that will resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a DIY palette is a stay-wet palette. These are basically an empty plastic container with a tight lid. You place a sponge in the bottom that you make damp with water, and then add a sheet of specialty paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be sealed and will keep the sponge and paper wet for a few days. If the paper starts to dry out you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
When you're painting watercolors or oil paints using an wooden palette is an excellent option. These palettes are lightweight in comparison to other alternatives, particularly paper and glass and are strong enough to make it easy to handle. They also have cut-outs in the interior for the thumb and other fingers, making them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time while you work. They have a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without getting absorbed. They are also easy to clean and last for years of use.
The wooden palette was among the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They remain a vital component of many studios. They offer an elegant, professional look and are perfect for mixing oils, acrylics 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.
The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is regular cleaning and re-oiling. Reapplying linseed oil or a specialized wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and prolong the lifespan of the palette. Re-oiling is as simple as pouring oil into the middle of the palette and wiping with an unlinty cloth.
Some artists choose to personalize wooden palettes with initials or decorative elements. This is a fantastic method to make your palette feel as if it's part of your artwork and add a sense history to your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock in the place. This is a fantastic feature for traveling.
Platforms such as Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, with artists sharing photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a good reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a rewarding and satisfying experience. When you continue painting with your wooden palette it will become a beloved piece of equipment that will remind you of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of an art pallet the first thing we think of is an old wooden one, which was used by old masters. These palettes, though used by some artists, are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics due to their porous surface. A new paint palette was invented to solve this problem. These 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 and sizes, so you can choose one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand while working.
These new palettes are known as "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints hydrated and functional for a lengthy time after you've completed painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette and rub it into the wood until it appears somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil, and make sure to get into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, allows the palette to keep the oil and pigment while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily.
Another good way to prep for a wooden palette is using a drying oil - such as linseed, safflower or walnut - and then applying it to the surface of the palette using the help of a rag. This will help seal 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's wet.
Some painters like to use disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option because it doesn't soak up paint too much, and it's easy-to-clean. I prefer a wooden palette, because it's more sturdy and feels more comfortable in my hands. I am awestruck by the idea of continuing the legacy of the previous masters.