Why We Love Wooden Palette (And You Should Also!)

Why Paint on a Wooden Palette? A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface and is rigid. It has a warm hue that aids artists in interpreting colors in a precise manner. Make use of boiled linseed, an unlinty rag or paper towel to seal a wooden palette. Rub the oil into the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, front and back. Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters Painting on a wooden palette brings all your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it easier to mix colors and then move the paints across your canvas or board. It's also a great way to keep your brushes close to the ready. This palette has helped me save time by reducing the amount of time I am able to spend turning my body in order to reach my brushes and reload them. I've also noticed that it helps me with my accuracy and consistency. You can buy wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with wood that is raw, you should seal it before you start painting. This makes it less able to absorb of the oils used in your oil paints. To do this, simply pour a small pool of Linseed oil onto the palette and rub it into the palette with a lint free cloth until it's fully saturated. Then wipe off any excess and your palette is ready to use. I like to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops to a brown medium, like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me visualize the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings and it also allows me to observe how the colors appear against the wood. The tone will help me to distinguish between the light and dark values of my painting. As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will begin to develop a gorgeous patina. It will become more opaque and smooth, thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it bit and the pigments merging together to form a varnish-like coating. It's beautiful to see. Some painters prefer to use an acrylic sealer with a clear finish on their palettes made of wood – this can protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a bit more time than using polyurethane, but it's worth the wait because you can apply a coat every time you clean your palette, and it will only improve with time. Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters A wooden palette is the classic choice for oil and acrylic painting. It has a wide and stable area that is resistant to the absorption of color and facilitates color mixing. After every use, a quick wiping with paper towels or a cloth makes cleanup easy. Most arts and crafts stores carry wooden palettes, which aren't expensive. For the modern acrylic painter, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes are coated with a nonstick substance and are light. They also resist the effects of solvents. They are easy to clean using warm soapy water, and can be used with a variety of materials including acrylics. They are available in a variety of sizes and have deep wells to mix colors. Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a paper or styrofoam plate. These are affordable and disposable, which means they can be used for a single painting session, making them a great solution for plein air painting. They could take in some paint, and could be difficult to wash. One of the most effective options for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce, with a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole helps to prevent fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette. Some artists prefer to build their own wooden palette using everyday items. An old plastic or aluminum foil-covered dish could be an ideal place to begin. You can also choose old ceramic or glass dishes. These can be found at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually quite attractive. You can also try an tin foil piece that will block the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean. A palette made of stay-wet is an alternative to the homemade palette that is very popular. These are essentially boxes made of plastic that have an airtight lid. You place a sponge in the bottom and make damp with water, and then add a sheet of special paper on top to keep the paint wet. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will stay 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 When you're painting oil paints or watercolors, using the wooden palette is an excellent choice. These palettes are lightweight in comparison to other alternatives, including paper and glass, and are rigid enough to allow for easy handling. They feature cutouts in the interior for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold during long periods. They have a satin finish that lets paint sit on top without being absorbed, and they can be cleaned easily over time. Wooden palettes were one of the first mixing surfaces utilized by artists and are still an important component of many artists' studios in the present. They have a classic, professional look and are perfect to mix acrylics, oils and alkyds. In addition they are usually sourced from sustainable forestry practices. This is why using a wooden palette can be an environmentally responsible option for the contemporary artist. Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the most important factor in a wooden pallet's longevity. Reapplying linseed oils or a special wood conditioner can help to prevent excessive absorption and prolong the life of the palette. Depending on the type of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as easy as pouring a small amount of oil into the center of the palette and wiping it with a clean, 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 a part of your artwork and add a sense history to your tool. Some of these personalised palettes come with lids that lock in the place, which is a nice feature for traveling. Platforms such as Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, with artists sharing photos of their beautifully arranged arrangements to inspire others. These visual clues serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding artistic experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become a favorite piece of equipment and a reminder of your creative journey. Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters When we think of a paint palette the first thing that comes to mind is one made of wood that was used by masters of the past. While still used by a few painters however, these palettes aren't ideal to use with acrylics or watercolors because the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. However, a different type of paint palette has been developed to solve this issue. These new palettes have been made from tempered glass which is extremely sturdy and won't break if dropped. The palettes are available in different sizes and shapes, so you can choose one that fits comfortably in your palm and is easy to use. The new palettes, also known as “stay-wet” palettes, keep your paints moist and usable for a long time after you've completed painting. To prepare a “stay wet” palette, place your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint looks tacky (like butter). Then, use an old towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to get into all of the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, assists the palette to keep oil and pigment while allowing hairs of the brush to pass through with ease. Another way to prepare a wooden palette is using a drying oil – like linseed or safflower, or walnut – and applying it on the surface of the palette using the help of a rag. This will make the wood more durable and make it impervious to water and solvents. It will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet. Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes, like paper cups or styrofoam plates. Agrony Trading llc is a great 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 love the idea of continuing the tradition of the older masters.