Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface and is extremely rigid. It has a warm hue that aids artists in interpreting the colors with precision.
Use boiled linseed and an lint-free rag or towel to seal a wooden palette. click through the following website on the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, on both sides.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette can bring all your oil paints right to your fingertips. This makes it easier to mix colors and move the paints across your canvas or board. This is a great way to have your brushes at 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 also noticed that it helps in my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water and standard artist solvents) or you can purchase unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Put a small amount of linseed on the palette, and then rub in with a clean rag. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette before use by adding a few drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow orange) to the Linseed oil. This allows me to visualize how my shadows will appear on the wood. Tone also helps me to distinguish the dark and light values in my artwork.
A well-used wooden palette will develop a beautiful patina with time. It will become more opaque and smooth, with the oil from your paints staining it a bit and the pigments merging together to form their own varnish-like coating. It's stunning to look at.
Some artists apply an acrylic varnish that is clear to seal their wooden palettes. This will protect the wood, and also give it a stunning 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 since 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 a classic option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large, stable area that resists the absorption of color and facilitates color mixing. After each use, a quick wipe with a cloth or paper towel will make cleanup easy. Most arts and crafts stores offer wooden palettes, which are affordable.
If you are a modern acrylic artist there are numerous palette options. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are lightweight. They also withstand the effects of solvents. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, and other materials. They are usually available in various sizes and deep wells for mixing colors.
Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. These are affordable and disposable so they can be used for just one painting session, which makes them a perfect solution for plein air painting. However, they may absorb some paint which can make it difficult to clean.
One of the best options for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded hardwood such as spruce or pine that has a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the hole to allow the artist to hold the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole also helps keep fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.
Some painters make their own wooden palettes from household items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to start. Glass or ceramic dishes are also an excellent option. You can find them at auctions and thrift shops. They are generally beautiful. You can also use the foil piece that will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet palette. They are essentially a plastic box with a lid that is tight. You soak a sponge in water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you place an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep paint damp. The box can be sealed and will keep the sponge and paper wet for days. If the paper starts to dry out it is possible to add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
When you're painting watercolors or oil paints, using an wooden palette is an excellent choice. These palettes are lightweight in comparison to other options, especially paper and glass and are strong enough to allow for easy handling. They also have interior cut-outs 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 being absorbed. They are also easy to clean and last for many years of use.
The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by artists and are still an important part of many artist's studios today. They have an elegant and professional design and are ideal to mix alkyds, oils, and acrylics. They are also often sourced using sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be a green choice for the modern artist.
The key to the long-term durability of a wooden palette is regular cleaning and the re-oiling. A reapplication of linseed oil or a specialized wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption and extend the life of the palette. Re-oiling can be as easy as pouring oil into the middle of the palette and wiping with a lint free cloth.
Some artists choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or other decorative elements into the surface. This is a wonderful method to make your palette feel like part of your work, and to create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock into the correct position. This is a great feature for traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes, with artists sharing pictures of their stunningly arranged setups to inspire others. These visual clues 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 grow into a beloved piece of equipment and an enduring reminder of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of an art pallet, the first thing we think of is a wooden one, which was used by old masters. They are still utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surfaces. However, a new type of paint palette is being developed that solves this issue. These new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is very robust and won't break should you drop it. They're also available in various sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is easy to hold and fits into your hand when you work.
The new palettes, also known as "stay-wet" palettes, will keep your paints moist and useable for a long time after you've completed painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium on the back side of the palette and rub it into the wood until it appears somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil, and make sure to get into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, permits the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.
Another method to prepare for a wooden palette is using a drying oil - such as linseed, safflower or walnut - and rubbing it on the surface of the palette using a rag. This will seal the wood, making it resistant to solvents and water. It will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes like paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good choice because it won't absorb the paint too much, and it's easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it's more durable and feels better in my hands. I also like the idea that I'm preserving a tradition of the old masters!