Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light, rigid and Agrony has a smooth surface. It also has warm tones that allow artists to see colors clearly when painting.
Make use of boiled linseed, a lint-free rag or paper towel to seal the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the the wood palette. Repeat every day, both in front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are available when you use an wooden palette. This makes it easy to mix colors and move the paints across your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes at hand. This palette has helped me to 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 with my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that are stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood before painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. Put a small amount of Linseed onto the palette, and then rub into it with a clean cotton rag. Then wipe off any excess and your palette is ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops of it to a brown medium such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me to visualize the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings. It helps me see how the colors will appear against the wood. Tone can also help me to differentiate between dark and light values in my artwork.
With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. The oils from your paints will stain the wood and the pigments will combine to form a varnish-like finish. It's an amazing thing to behold.
Some artists apply an acrylic varnish that is clear to protect their wooden palettes. This will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying multiple thin layers of Linseed oils. It takes a little longer than using polyurethane but it's worth the wait because you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette and it will only improve with time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is an ideal option for oil and acrylic painting. It provides a large solid surface that is resistant to pigment absorption and promotes optimal color mixing. It also makes clean up easy and simple by simply wiping a paper towel or cloth after every use. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts offer wooden palettes, which aren't expensive.
For the modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are coated with a nonstick substance and are lightweight. They also resist solvent damage. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics among other materials. They are typically available in various sizes and deep wells to mix colors.
A dish made of paper or styrofoam is a popular alternative for acrylic painting. They are inexpensive and disposable, so they can be used for only one painting session, making them a great option for plein air painting. However, they may absorb paint, which could make them difficult to clean.
One of the best alternatives for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded wood such as spruce or pine, with a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold it using their other fingers. The thumb hole also helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists create their own wooden palettes from household items. An old aluminum or plastic foil-covered dish could be a good place to start. Glass or ceramic dishes are also an excellent option. They are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are usually quite beautiful. You can also use an aluminum foil that will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a DIY palette is a stay-wet plastic palette. These are basically containers made of plastic with an airtight lid. You dampen a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you put the special paper top to keep the paint damp. The box can be kept closed and will keep the sponge and paper moist for a few days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper starts to dry.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is a great option for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper, and are also strong enough to be handled easily. They also have cut-outs in the interior for the thumb and other fingers, which makes them comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They have a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without absorbing. They can also be cleaned easily and last for years of use.
The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by artists, and they remain a vital element in many studios of artists in the present. They have an elegant and professional appearance, and are ideal to mix alkyds, oils, and acrylics. Additionally they are usually produced using sustainable forestry practices. This is why using a wooden palette may be an environmentally responsible option for the contemporary artist.
The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is regular cleaning and the re-oiling. Reapplying linseed oils or a special wood conditioner can help to prevent excessive absorption and prolong the longevity of the palette. Depending on the kind of wood the palette is made of, re-oiling it can be as simple as pouring a puddle of oil into the center of the palette and then wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.
Some artists choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into the wood. This is a fantastic method to make your palette feel like a part of your art and give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock into place. This is a great feature to use when traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautifully arranged arrangements to inspire others. These visual signals serve as an example of how painting on a pallet made of wood can be a rewarding, artistic experience. If you continue to use your wooden palette, it will eventually become a beloved piece of equipment and a reminder of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of an art pallet the first thing we think of is a wooden one used by masters of the past. These palettes, although still used by some artists are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics because of their porous surfaces. However, a different type of paint palette has been developed to solve this problem. These new palettes have been constructed from tempered glass that is extremely strong and won't break in the event of a drop. They also come in various sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fit into your hand when you work.
These new palettes, referred to as "stay-wet" palettes, will keep your paints moist and useable for a prolonged period of time after you've finished painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint is tacky (like butter). Then you can use either a paper towel or lint free cloth to wipe off any excess, making sure to reach all the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, referred to as seasoning, permits the palette to hold pigment and oil while allowing brushhairs to pass easily.
Another way to prepare for a wooden palette is using a drying oil - like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and applying it on the surface of the palette using an abrasive. This will seal the wood and make it more resistant to water and solvents. This will also prevent the paint from sticking on the surface of your palette when it is wet.
Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great choice because it doesn't absorb paint as 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 carrying on the tradition of the older masters.