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Why Paint on a Wooden Palette? A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface and is extremely rigid. It is a warm-colored palette that aids artists in interpreting colors accurately. To seal a wooden palette make use of boiled linseed oils and a lint-free rag or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the the wood palette. Repeat every day, both in front and back. Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters Painting on a wooden palette allows all your oil paints right at your fingertips. This makes it easier to mix colors and move them on your board or canvas. It's also a great way to keep your brushes at your fingertips. This palette has helped me reduce the amount of time I am able to spend turning my body to reach my brushes to reload them. I've also noticed that it helps in my accuracy and consistency. You can buy wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to resist water and standard solvents for artists, or you can buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood before painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount of linseed on the palette, and then rub it in with a lint-free cloth. Then, wipe off any excess and your palette is 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 visualize the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings and it also lets me visualize how the colors will appear against the wood. The tone will also help me to distinguish the dark and light values in my paintings. As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. The oils from your paints will stain it and the pigments will blend together to create a varnish-like finish. It's stunning to look at. Some artists prefer using an acrylic sealer with a clear finish on their palettes made of wood – this can 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 polyurethane, but it's worth it as you can apply one coat each time you wash your palette. Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters The wooden palette is a popular option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and promotes optimal color mixing. It also makes cleaning easy and quick with a quick wipe of paper towels or a cloth after every use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found at many stores selling arts and crafts. If you are a modern acrylic artist there are numerous palette options. Plastic palettes come with a nonstick coating and are light. They also withstand solvent damage. large pallets are easy to clean with warm soapy water and are used with a variety of materials including acrylics. large pallets are available in a variety of sizes and have deep wells that allow mixing colors. A paper or styrofoam dish is another popular option for acrylic painting. These plates are easily disposable and cost-effective which means they can be used only once during a painting session. This makes them an excellent solution for plein-air painting. They can take in some paint, and is difficult to remove. One of the best options for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce, with a thumb hole. This lets the artist hold the palette with the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers free to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole also helps to keep the fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette. Some painters make their own wooden palettes using household items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also an excellent option. They are available at yard sales and thrift shops and are usually quite pretty. You could also try using a piece of tin foil that will block the absorption of paint and will be easy to clean. A stay-wet palette is an alternative to the homemade palette that is extremely popular. These are basically containers made of plastic with an airtight 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 keep the sponge and paper wet for a few days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper starts to dry. Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists If you're painting oil paints or watercolors, an wooden palette is the best option. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives like glass or paper, and are also strong enough to be able to be handled easily. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold while working for long periods. They have a satin finish that lets paint rest on top without being absorbed, and they are easily cleaned over time. The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They remain an integral element in many studios. They offer a classic, professional look and are perfect for mixing oils, acrylics, and alkyds. They are often made using sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be a sustainable choice for the modern artist. large pallets and re-oiling is key to the longevity of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oil or a special wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and prolong the lifespan of the palette. Based on the type of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as easy as pouring a pool of oil into the center of the palette, then wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth. Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or other elements. This is a great method to make your palette feel as if it's part of your work, and to give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalized palettes have lids that can lock in the position, which is a nice feature for traveling. Instagram has also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues are a great reminder that painting using a wooden palette can be a satisfying and artistically satisfying experience. If you continue to use your wooden palette, it will eventually become an item that you will treasure and an enduring reminder of your artistic 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, although still utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours due to their porous surface. However, a new kind of palette for painting is being developed that solves this problem. These new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is robust and will not break if you drop it. They're also available in a variety of sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that is comfortable to hold and fit in your hand while working. These new palettes, referred to as “stay-wet” palettes, keep your paints hydrated and usable for a long time after you have completed painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium on the back side of the palette and rub it in until it looks somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Then you can use an old towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to reach all the tiny grooves within the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, permits the palette to retain pigment and oil while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily. Drying oils such as linseed, or walnut can be used to prepare a wooden palette. Apply it using a rag to the surface. This will help to seal the wood and make it more resistant to solvents and water. This will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when wet. Some artists prefer to use disposable palettes, such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option because it won't absorb the paint too much, and it's easy to clean. However, I'd rather to make use of an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and it feels better in my hand. I also love the idea that I'm continuing the tradition of the previous masters!