Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is light, rigid and has an even surface. It is a warm-colored palette that helps painters perceive colors in a precise manner.
To seal a palette made of wood make use of boiled linseed oils and a lint-free rag or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil into the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, both back and front.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are available when you use a wooden palette. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them across your canvas or board. This is a great way to have your brushes in fingertips. This palette has helped me to reduce the amount of time that I am able to spend turning my body to reach my brushes and then reload them. I've noticed that it improves my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior to painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. Put a small amount of linseed on the palette, then rub it in using a lint-free, lint-free rag. Then, wipe off any excess and your palette is now ready to use.
I like to tone my palette prior to use by adding a few drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This helps me visualize how my shadows will look on the wood. Tone can also help me distinguish between shades of light and dark in my artwork.
A well-used wooden palette will form an exquisite patina over time. It will become more transparent and smooth thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it bit and the pigments merging together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's a gorgeous thing to see.
Some painters prefer to use an acrylic sealer that is clear on their wooden palettes, this will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I find that the old method of applying 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 every time you clean your palette and it will only improve over time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the classic choice for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large solid, stable surface that blocks the absorption of color and facilitates color mixing. It also makes clean up easy and simple by simply wiping a cloth or paper towel after every use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found at most arts and crafts stores.
There are many options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are light. They also resist solvent damage. They are easy to clean with warm soapy water, and can be used for a wide range of materials including acrylics. They are available in different sizes and have deep wells for mixing colors.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a paper or styrofoam plate. These plates are easily disposable and cost-effective and are only used once for the duration of a painting session. This makes them a great choice for plein-air painting. They could absorb some paint, and is difficult to remove.
One of the most effective options for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded hardwood like spruce or pine, with a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold it with their other fingers. The thumb hole can also help to keep the fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists prefer to build their own wooden palette from household items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be a good place to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also a good choice. They are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are generally attractive. You can even try using a piece of tin foil, which will resist the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
A stay-wet palette is a substitute for the traditional palette that is very popular. They're basically an empty plastic container with a tight lid. pallet wood for sale soak a sponge in water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you place the special paper top to keep the paint damp. The box can be sealed and keep the sponge and paper moist for several days. If the paper starts to dry out, you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
A wooden palette is a great choice for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lightweight in comparison to other alternatives, particularly paper and glass and are sturdy enough to allow for easy handling. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold for long periods. They have a satin finish that lets paint rest on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, they are easily cleaned over time.
The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They remain a vital element in many studios. They have an elegant, professional look and are perfect to mix acrylics, oils, and alkyds. They are also typically sourced with sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette may be an environmentally responsible choice for the modern artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is the key to the longevity of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed or a wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the lifespan of your palette. Re-oiling can be as easy as pouring oil in the middle of the palette, and wiping it off with an unlinty cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or other elements. This is a great method to make the palette appear as an extension of your art and bring a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock in the place. This is an excellent feature for traveling.
Instagram has also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. These visual signals serve as a reminder that painting on a pallet made of wood can be a rewarding artistic experience. When you continue painting using your wooden palette, it'll become a favorite piece of equipment that will remind you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a palette for painting the first image that comes to mind is one made of wood, that was used by masters of the past. Although they are still used by some artists, these palettes are not suitable for watercolors or acrylics due to the surface is porous and absorbs the paint too much. A new palette for painting was invented to solve this issue. The new palettes are constructed from tempered glass that is extremely durable and won't break in the event of a drop. They're also available in various sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand when you work.
These new palettes, called "stay-wet" palettes, help keep your paints hydrated and usable for a prolonged 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 into the wood until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Then, use either a paper towel or lint-free cloth to wipe off any excess, making sure to get into all of the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, enables the palette to hold the oil and pigment while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.
Another way to prepare for a wooden palette is applying a drying oil - like linseed, safflower or walnut - and then applying it to the surface of the palette using a rag. This will help seal the wood and make it resistant to solvents and water. This will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when wet.
Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great option 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 also like the idea that I'm continuing a tradition of the old masters!
