A. The Most Common Wooden Palette Debate Isn't As Black And White As You May Think
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and rigid, and has smooth surfaces. It also has a warm tone that helps painters to perceive colors accurately when painting.
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 in front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are readily available using an wooden palette. This makes it easy to mix colors and then move the paints across your canvas or board. This is a great way to have your brushes at hand. This palette has helped me reduce the amount of time I spend turning around my body in order to reach my brushes and reload them. I've noticed that it helps me with my accuracy and consistency.
You can buy wood palettes that have been stained and sealed (to resist water as well as regular solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this, pour a small pool of Linseed oil onto the palette, and then rub it into the palette with a lint free sponge until it is completely saturated. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette prior using it by adding the smallest amount of brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This allows me to imagine how my shadows will appear on the wood. Tone also helps me distinguish between dark and light values in my paintings.
A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop an exquisite patina over time. It will become more transparent and smooth due to the oil in your paints staining it a bit and the pigments merging together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's stunning to look at.
Some artists prefer using a clear acrylic sealer on their wooden palettes, this can protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I find that the traditional method of applying thin coats of linseed oil is well for me. It takes a little 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 improve over time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is the most popular choice for acrylic and oil painting. It has a large and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and facilitates optimal mixing of colors. It also makes cleaning simple and convenient with a quick wipe of paper towels or a cloth after every use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found in the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
If you are a modern acrylic artist, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes are coated with a nonstick substance and are lightweight. They also withstand damage caused by solvents. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, as well as other materials. They are generally available in a variety of 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 a single painting session, making them an ideal solution for plein air painting. They can absorb some of the paint, however, which could be difficult to wash.
One of the best options for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded hardwood such as spruce or pine, with a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the hole to allow the artist to hold it using their other fingers. The thumb hole also helps to keep the fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists prefer to build their own homemade wooden palette using household items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be an excellent place to begin. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also a good choice. You can find them at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are usually quite gorgeous. You could also try a piece of tin foil that will block the absorption of paint and be easy to clean.
A stay-wet palette is an alternative to the traditional palette that is very well-known. They are basically boxes made of plastic that have an airtight lid. You place a sponge in the bottom and make damp with water, and then you place a sheet of special paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper moist for days. You can always add water to the palette in case the paper becomes dry.
Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists
A wooden palette is an excellent choice for anyone who paints using watercolors or oil. They are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper and rigid enough to be able to be handled easily. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold while working for long periods. They have a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without absorbing. They are also easily cleaned and last for years of use.
The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces used by artists and remain a vital element in many studios of artists in the present. They have a classic and professional look, and are ideal for mixing alkyds, oils and acrylics. Additionally they are usually made from sustainable forest practices. This is why using a wooden palette may be an environmentally responsible option for the contemporary artist.
A key to the longevity of a wooden palette is frequent cleaning and oiling. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption, and prolong the lifespan of your palette. Re-oiling is as easy as pouring oil into the middle of the palette, and wiping with an lint-free cloth.
Recommended Website choose to personalize wooden palettes with initials or other decorative elements. This is an excellent option to make your palette feel like an extension of your work and give a sense of historical significance to your tool. Some of these customized palettes come with lids that lock in the place, which is a nice feature for travel.
Platforms such as Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual cues are a great reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a satisfying and artistically satisfying experience. As you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become a favorite 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 masters of the past. Although they are still used by some painters however, these palettes aren't suitable for watercolors or acrylics since the surface is porous and absorbs the paint too much. However, a new type of paint palette has been developed to solve this problem. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is very sturdy and won't break if you drop it. They are also available in various sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand while working.
These new palettes, called "stay-wet" palettes, will keep your paints moist and useable for a long time after you have finished painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Then you can use an old towel or lint free cloth to wipe off any excess, making sure to get it into all the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, allows the palette to hold 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 - such as linseed, safflower or walnut - and then applying it on the surface of the palette with a rag. This will seal the wood and make it impervious to solvents and water. This will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes like paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good option because it doesn't absorb paint too much, and it's easy to clean. However, I would prefer to choose an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and is more comfortable to hold. I am awestruck by the idea of continuing the tradition of the older masters.