Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light, rigid and has an even surface. It also has warm tones that help artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
Use boiled linseed and an lint-free rag or towel to protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, 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 much easier to mix colors and move them on your board or canvas. It's also a great method to keep your brushes close at hand. This palette has helped me to save time by reducing the amount of time that I spend turning around my body to reach my brushes and then reload them. I've also noticed that it aids with my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wooden 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. When working with raw wood you will want to seal it prior to painting - this will make it less absorbent of the oils used in your oil paints. To do this, simply put a small amount of oil from linseed onto your palette, and then rub it in using a lint free sponge until it is completely saturated. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops of it to an oil medium that is brown, like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This allows me to imagine how my shadows will look on the wood. Tone also helps me to distinguish the shades of light and dark in my artwork.
As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. The oils you use to paint will stain it and the pigments will combine to form a varnish-like finish. It's a gorgeous thing to behold.
Some artists prefer using a clear acrylic sealer on their wooden palettes, it will protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. However, I find that the old way of applying several thin coats of linseed oil works just fine for me. It takes a bit longer than polyurethane but it's worth it because you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a classic option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large solid surface that is resistant to pigment absorption and encourages optimal mixing of colors. It also makes clean up easy and simple with a quick wipe of paper towels or a cloth after every use. Most arts and crafts stores have wooden palettes that aren't expensive.
For a modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are a lightweight option that resist damage from solvents and also have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, among other materials. They are generally available in several sizes with deep wells to mix colors.
Another option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. These plates are easily disposable and cost-effective which means they are only used once during an entire painting session. This makes them a great choice for plein air painting. However, they can absorb paint, which could make it difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded timber such as pine or spruce that has a thumbhole, is among the best options to create a permanent acrylic paint pallet. This lets the artist hold the palette using the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps prevent fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palette using common items. An old plastic or aluminum foil-covered dish is an ideal place to begin. You can also opt for old ceramic or glass dishes. They are available at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually quite pretty. You can also make use of a piece tin foil which can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A palette that stays wet is an alternative to the traditional palette that is extremely popular. They are essentially made of plastic with a lid that is tight. You dampen a sponge with water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you add a sheet special paper on top to keep the paint wet. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will stay wet for a few days. If the paper begins to dry you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
When you're painting oil paints or watercolors, the wooden palette is an excellent option. These palettes are lighter than other options like glass or paper and are strong enough to be handled easily. They feature cutouts in the interior for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold during long periods. They feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without being absorbed. They are also easy to clean and are durable for years of use.
The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They are an essential component of many studios. They provide an elegant, professional appearance and are ideal to mix acrylics, Agronytradingllc.Com oils, and alkyds. They are also typically sourced with sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wood pallet a sustainable option for modern artists.
The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is frequent cleaning and the re-oiling. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption and extend the life of your palette. Based on the type of wood the palette is made of, re-oiling it can be as easy as pouring a puddle of oil into the middle of the palette, then wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or other elements. This is a great way to make the palette feel like an extension of your artwork and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock into place. This is a great feature to take with you when traveling.
Instagram has also played a part in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their beautifully-arranged setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues are a great reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a rewarding and satisfying experience. If you continue to paint with your wooden palette, it will become a cherished piece of equipment that will remind you of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about painting pallets the first image we have is a wooden one, which was used by masters of the past. Although still used by some artists, these palettes are not suitable for use with watercolors or acrylics since the surface is porous and absorbs paint too much. However, a different type of palette for painting is being developed that solves this issue. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely robust and won't break should you drop it. The palettes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can choose one that fits comfortably in your hand and is simple to use.
These new palettes, referred to as "stay-wet" palettes, help keep your paints hydrated and usable for a long period of time after you've completed painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Use a paper towel to get rid of any excess oil and make sure to get into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, assists the palette retain the pigment and oil, while allowing brush hairs to pass through easily.
A drying oil such as linseed, or walnut can be used to make a wooden palette. Apply it with an abrasive to the surface. This will help protect the wooden surface and make it impervious to water and solvents. It will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it's wet.
Some artists prefer to use disposable palettes, such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good option because it doesn't absorb 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 also love the thought that I'm carrying on the tradition of the previous masters!