A Intermediate Guide For Wooden Palette

Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?

A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface that is also rigid. It has a warm color that helps painters perceive colors in a precise manner.

Use boiled linseed and an unlinty rag or paper towel to seal a wooden palette. Rub the oil on the the wood palette. Repeat daily, front and back.

Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters

Painting on a wooden palette allows all of your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them across the surface of your board or canvas. It’s also a great method to keep your brushes at the ready. I’ve found that using such a palette really cuts down on the amount of time I’m turning my body where to get pallets​ reach and refill my brushes. I’ve also noticed that it aids with my precision and consistency.

You can buy wood palettes that have been stained and sealed (to repel water as well as standard artist solvents) or you can purchase unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior to painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this, pour a small pool of linseed oil on the palette, and then rub it in using a lint free cloth until it’s fully saturated. Then, wipe off the excess and your palette is ready to use.

I like to tone the linseed prior using it by adding a few drops of it to an oil medium that is brown, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me visualize how my shadows will look on the wood. The tone helps me distinguish between the light and dark values of my painting.

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 bit and the pigments merging together to create their own varnish-like coating. It’s stunning to look at.

Some artists prefer using an acrylic sealer that is clear on their palettes made of wood – this can protect the wood and give it an attractive shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying several 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 an ideal choice for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large solid, stable surface that blocks the absorption of color and facilitates mixing of colors. After every use, a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth will make cleanup easy. Wooden palettes are also inexpensive and can be found in the majority of stores for arts and crafts.

There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lighter option that resist solvent damage and feature a non-stick coating. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, and other materials. They are generally available in a variety of sizes and deep wells to mix colors.

A styrofoam or paper dish is another popular option for acrylic painting. They are inexpensive and disposable, so they can be used for only one painting session, making them a great solution for plein air painting. However, they may absorb some paint which can make it difficult to clean.

One of the best alternatives for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded hardwood such as spruce or pine, with a thumb hole. This allows the artist to hold the palette with the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers free for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps keep fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.

Some artists create their own wooden palettes from household items. An old aluminum or plastic foil-covered dish is a good place to start. You can also opt for old glass or ceramic dishes. They are available at auctions and thrift shops. They are usually quite attractive. You can also try an tin foil piece, which will resist the absorption of paint and be easy to clean.

A very popular alternative to a homemade palette is a plastic stay-wet palette. They’re basically a plastic box with a lid that is tight. You moisten a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you put an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep the paint damp. 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 artists

A wooden palette is a great choice for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper and rigid enough to be handled easily. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy to hold during long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to rest on top without being absorbed. Additionally, they are easily cleaned for years of use.

The wooden palette was one of the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are still a vital element in many studios. They provide a classic, professional look and are perfect for mixing acrylics, oils and alkyds. Additionally they are usually sourced from sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be a sustainable choice for the modern artist.

Regular cleaning and re-oiling is the key to the durability of a wooden pallet. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can stop 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 a lint free cloth.

Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or other decorative elements. This is an excellent method to make the palette appear as an extension of your art and give a sense of historical significance to your tool. Some of these personalized palettes come with lids that be locked in the place this is a great feature for travel.

Platforms such as Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, with artists sharing photos of their beautifully arranged setups to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a good reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a satisfying and artistically satisfying experience. If you continue to use your wooden palette, it will eventually become a favorite piece of equipment and an enduring reminder of your artistic journey.

Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters

When we think of a palette for painting, the first image that comes to mind is a wooden one used by the masters of the past. Although still used by some painters but these palettes aren’t suitable for use with watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was invented to solve this issue. These new palettes have been constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely durable and won’t break in the event of a drop. These palettes are available in various sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can pick one that fits comfortably in your palm and is easy to use.

These new palettes, called “stay-wet” palettes, keep your paints hydrated and usable for a prolonged period of time after you have finished painting. To make 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 slightly tacky (like soft butter). Then, use a paper towel or lint free cloth to wipe off any excess, making sure to reach all the tiny grooves within the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, assists the palette to retain the pigment and oil, while allowing brush hairs to pass through the wood easily.

A drying oil, such as linseed or walnut is a great option to make a wooden pallet. Apply it with a rag to the surface. This will help seal the wooden surface and make it impervious to water and solvents. This also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.

Some artists prefer using disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a good choice because it doesn’t absorb paint as much, and it’s also easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette, because it’s more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I am awestruck by the idea of preserving the legacy of the previous masters.