Ofelia Whitta

Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?

A wooden palette is lightweight and rigid, and has a smooth surface. It also has warm tones that allow artists see colors with greater clarity when painting.

Use boiled linseed and a lint-free rag or paper towel to protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil on the the wood palette. Repeat daily, in front and back.

Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters

Painting on a wooden palette allows all of 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 close at fingertips. This palette has helped me reduce the amount of time that I spend turning around my body in order to reach my brushes and reload them. I've also noticed that it improves my precision and consistency.

You can buy wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to resist the effects of water and standard solvents for artists or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior to painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this, simply put a small amount of oil from linseed onto your palette and rub it into the palette with a lint free cloth until it's saturated. Then wipe off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use.

I prefer to tone my palette prior to using it by adding some drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow orange) to the linseed oil. This allows me to imagine how my shadows will appear on the wood. Tone can also help me distinguish between shades of light and dark in my artwork.

As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet near me will develop a gorgeous patina. It will get more opaque and smooth with the oil from your paints staining it bit and the pigments merging together to form a varnish-like coating. It's beautiful to see.

Some artists apply a clear acrylic varnish to seal their wooden palettes. This protects the wood and will give it a stunning shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying thin layers of Linseed oils. It takes a bit more time than polyurethane, but it's worth it since you can apply one coat each time you wash your palette.

Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters

A wooden palette is the classic option for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large pallets and stable area that is resistant to absorption of pigment and encourages mixing of colors. It also makes clean up easy and quick by simply wiping a cloth or paper towel after every use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and are available at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.

If you are a modern acrylic artist, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are light. They also withstand damage caused by solvents. They are easy to clean using warm soapy water, and can be utilized for a variety of materials, including acrylics. They are available in various sizes and have deep wells that allow mixing colors.

A dish made of paper or styrofoam is a different option for acrylic painting. They are cheap and disposable, so they can be used for a single painting session, which makes them a perfect solution for plein air painting. They can take in some paint, however, which can be difficult to clean.

One of the most effective options for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood such as spruce or pine that has 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 is designed to keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.

Some artists prefer to build their own wooden palettes using household items. A dish covered in aluminum foil or plastic could be a great spot to start. You can also choose old ceramic or glass dishes. They are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are generally attractive. You could also try an tin foil piece, which will resist the absorption of paint and will be easy to clean.

An extremely popular alternative to a homemade palette is a stay-wet palette. They're basically an empty plastic container with a tight 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 moist. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will remain damp for several days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper starts to dry.

Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters

A wooden palette is a great option for those who paint with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lightweight in comparison to other options, especially 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 for long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to rest on top without being absorbed. Additionally, they are easily cleaned over time.

The wooden palette was among the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are still an integral part of many studios. They offer an elegant, professional appearance and are ideal for mixing oils, acrylics, and alkyds. Additionally, they are often made from sustainable forest practices. This makes using a wood pallet buying​ a sustainable option for modern artists.

A key to the longevity of the wooden palette is regular cleaning and the re-oiling. Reapplying linseed or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption, and increase the longevity of your palette. Based on the type of wood the palette is made of, re-oiling it can be as easy as pouring a puddle of oil into the middle of the palette and then wiping it with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes using initials or other elements. This is a wonderful option to make your palette feel like part of your work, and to give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalised palettes have lids that can be locked in the position, which is a nice feature for traveling.

Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes, with artists posting photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a good reminder that painting using a wooden palette can be a rewarding and artistically satisfying experience. When you continue painting with your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment that will remind you of your artistic journey.

Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters

When we think about painting pallets of wood for sale​ (click here!), the first thing we think of is an old wooden one, which was used by masters of the past. While still used by a few painters however, these palettes aren't suitable for watercolors or acrylics since the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. A new palette for painting was designed to solve this issue. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely strong and won't break in the event of a drop. They are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand while working.

The new palettes, also known as "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints hydrated and usable for a long time after you have finished painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back side of the palette. Rub it in until it appears slightly tacky (like soft butter). Then, use either a paper towel or lint-free cloth to wipe off any excess, ensuring to get into all of the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, helps the palette retain pigment and oil while allowing brush hairs to flow through easily.

Drying oils like linseed or walnut, can be used to prepare a wooden palette. Apply it with an abrasive to the surface. This will help protect the wood and make it more resistant to solvents and water. It also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it's wet.

Some artists prefer using disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a good choice because it doesn't absorb paint too much, and it's easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it is more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the idea that I'm continuing a tradition of the old masters!