Wooden Palette: A Simple Definition

Why Paint on a Wooden Palette? A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface and is rigid. It is a warm-colored palette that aids artists in interpreting colors accurately. Use boiled linseed and an lint-free rag or towel to protect a wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the the wood palette. Repeat daily, both front and back. Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters Oil paints are readily available when you work with an wooden palette. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them on your canvas or board. It's also a great method to keep your brushes at your fingertips. This palette has helped me to reduce the amount of time that I spend turning around my body to reach my brushes and then reload them. I've noticed that it improves my accuracy and consistency. You can either buy wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to withstand water and standard solvents for artists or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you should seal it before you start painting – this will make it less absorbent of the oils in your oil paints. Put purchase used pallets of Linseed onto the palette, then rub it in using a lint-free, lint-free cloth. Then wipe off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use. I like to tone my palette prior use by adding some drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This allows me to imagine the way my shadows appear on the wood. The tone will also help me distinguish between shades of light and dark in my paintings. A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop a gorgeous patina over time. The oils from your paints will stain it and the pigments will blend together to create a varnish-like finish. It's an amazing thing to look at. Some artists prefer to apply an acrylic sealer with a clear finish on their palettes made of wood – this will protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. However, I've found that the old way of applying multiple thin coats of linseed oil is well for me. It takes a bit more time than using polyurethane, but it's worth the wait since you can apply a coat each 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 has a large and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and facilitates optimal color mixing. It also makes cleaning easy and simple by a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth after each use. large pallets made of wood are also affordable and can be found in the majority of stores for arts and crafts. For a modern acrylic painter, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that is resistant to solvent damage and have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, and other materials. They are available in different sizes and have deep wells for mixing colors. A styrofoam or paper dish is a different option for acrylic painting. They are cheap and disposable, so they can be used for just one painting session, which makes them a great option for plein air painting. However, they may absorb paint, which could make it difficult to clean. A piece of sanded wood like spruce or pine with a thumbhole, is among the best options to make an acrylic paint pallet that can be used for a long time. This allows the artist to hold the palette by inserting the thumb in the hole, leaving the other fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole can also help keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette. Some painters make their own wooden palettes out of household items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to begin. You can also opt for old ceramic or glass dishes. They are available at yard sales or in thrift shops and are often quite attractive. You can also make use of the foil piece that can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean. A palette that stays wet is an alternative to the DIY palette that is very well-known. These are essentially boxes made of plastic that have an airtight lid. You place a sponge in the bottom and dampen with water, then add a sheet of special paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will stay wet for a few days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper starts to dry. Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists A wooden palette is a great option for those who paint with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lightweight compared to other alternatives, including glass and paper and are strong enough to allow for easy handling. 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 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 have a classic and professional look and are perfect for mixing alkyds, oils and acrylics. In addition, they are often sourced from sustainable forestry practices. This makes a wooden pallet a green option for modern artists. Regular cleaning and re-oiling is the essential to the durability of a wooden pallet. A reapplication of linseed oil or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can help prevent excessive absorption and extend the longevity of the palette. Re-oiling can be as easy as pouring oil in the middle of the palette and wiping with a lint free cloth. Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes using initials or other elements. This is a great option to make your palette appear as an extension of your artwork and give a sense of historical significance to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock in the place. This is an excellent feature to take with you when traveling. Platforms like Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes, as artists post photos of their beautifully arranged setups to inspire others. These visual signals serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden pallet is a rewarding, artistic experience. If you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment and a reminder of your creative journey. Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters When we think of a paint palette, the first thing that comes to mind is a wooden one that was used by masters of the past. These palettes, although still used by some artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours due to their porous surface. However, a different type of palette for painting is being developed that solves this issue. These new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is extremely robust and will not break if you drop it. They also come in various sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand when you work. These new palettes are called “stay wet” palettes because they keep your paints moist and able to work for a long time after you've finished painting. To prepare a “stay wet” palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Then, use an old towel or lint free cloth to clean any excess, ensuring to reach all the tiny grooves within the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, allows the palette to retain oil and pigment while allowing brush hairs to pass through easily. Another method to prepare a wooden palette is using a drying oil – like linseed or safflower, or walnut – and applying it on the surface of the palette using the help of a rag. This will seal the wood, making it resistant to water and solvents. It will also prevent 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 good choice because it doesn't soak up paint too often, and is easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I love the idea of continuing the tradition of the old masters.