How To Get More Results With Your Wooden Palette
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light and strong, with a smooth surface. It also has a warm tone that helps artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.
To seal a wooden palette use boiled linseed oil and an lint-free rag, or high quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the surface of the wood palette. Repeat every day, both on both sides.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are available when you use the wooden palette. This makes it a lot easier to mix your colors and move them around your canvas or board. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes at your fingertips. I've noticed that a palette of this sort really cuts down on the amount of time I spend shifting my body to reach and refill my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps me with my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed onto your palette, and then rub it in with a lint-free rag. Then, wipe off the excess and your palette is now ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops of it to a brown medium, like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This allows me to visualize how my shadows will appear on the wood. The tone will also help me to distinguish the light and dark values in my paintings.
With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. The oils you use to paint will stain it, and the pigments will blend together to form a varnish-like finish. It's an amazing 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 method of applying several thin coats of linseed oil work perfectly for me. It takes a bit longer 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
A wooden palette is a popular choice for oil and acrylic painting. It has a wide, stable area that resists pigment absorbtion and promotes mixing of colors. After every use, a quick wiping with paper towels or a cloth makes cleanup simple. New Wood Pallet For Sale made of wood are also affordable and are available at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lighter option that resist damage from solvents and also have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, among other materials. They are available in a variety of sizes and come with deep wells for mixing colors.
Another option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. These plates are reusable and inexpensive and can be used only once during an entire painting session. This makes them a great choice for plein-air painting. They can absorb some of the paint, however, which can be difficult to clean.
One of the best options for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce with 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 to keep the fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes out of household items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic might be a great place to start. You can also opt for old ceramic or glass dishes. They are available at auctions and thrift shops. They are typically attractive. You can also try using a piece of tin foil that will ward off the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a homemade palette is a plastic stay-wet palette. They're basically made of plastic with a secure lid. You dampen a sponge with water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you put an extra sheet of paper on top to keep paint wet. The box can be sealed and keep the sponge and paper wet for days. If the paper dries out, you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
If you're painting oil paints or watercolors, using an wooden palette is an excellent choice. They are lighter than other alternatives like glass or paper, and are also strong enough to be able to be handled easily. They also have internal cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, making them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time while you work. They feature a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without absorbing. They can also be cleaned easily and last for years of use.
Wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by artists and remain a vital part of many artist's studios in the present. They have an elegant and professional design and are perfect for mixing oils, alkyds and acrylics. They are often made using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wooden pallet a green option for modern artists.
The key to the long-term durability of a wooden palette is regular cleaning and re-oiling. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption, and increase the life of your palette. Depending on the kind of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as simple as pouring a small amount of oil into the middle of the palette, then wiping it with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes with initials or other decorative elements. This is a great method to make your palette feel as if it's part of your art and give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be customized with lids that lock in the correct position. This is a great feature to use when traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a good reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a rewarding and satisfying experience. If you continue to paint using your wooden palette, it will become a cherished piece of equipment that reminds you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a paint palette, the first thing that comes to mind is a wooden one used by old masters. These palettes, though utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surfaces. A new paint palette was designed to solve this issue. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is very robust and won't break should you drop it. They're also available in various shapes and sizes which means you can pick one that is comfortable to hold and fit into your hand when you work.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes due to the fact that they keep your paints hydrated and workable for a long time after you've completed painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint looks tacky (like butter). Then apply either a paper towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to get it into all the little grooves in the wood grain. This process, referred to as seasoning, enables the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily.
Another method to prepare a wooden palette is using a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and rubbing it on the surface of the palette with an abrasive. This will seal the wood and make it impervious to water and solvents. This also stops the paint from sticking on the surface of your palette when wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes, such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great choice because it doesn't soak up paint too much, and it's also easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it is more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the thought that I'm preserving the tradition of the previous masters!