Klara Basham

Why Use a Wooden Palette For Oil Painting?

Traditionally, wooden palettes were used for oil painting. They are light and easy to clean. They also look beautiful.

Many images of artists working have survived. Some of these depict an unfinished wooden pallet, similar to the one Vermeer used.

To prepare a palette made of wood clean it using drying oils such as linseed or safflower. It is crucial to keep the palette in good shape by applying a thin layer of oil.

Lightweight

In contrast to glass or tear-off palettes wooden palette is lightweight and can be easily held at the easel. Its thickness makes it sturdy and stable, which prevents it from bending under pressure. In addition, it can be stained and sanded to give it the color. A wood palette is also more durable than other kinds of materials, and it doesn't become damaged by fungi or insects. Palettes made of wood are also great for mixing alkyds and acrylics.

The most popular type of wooden palette is made from maple or pine both of which are able to resist warping and cracking. It is, however, essential to choose the kind of wood that has been treated with heat to prevent fungi and insects. This process is essential to the longevity and quality of a pallet made from wood. A quality wooden palette's surface must be smooth and evenly finished. It should have a low concentration of moisture, which can reduce the chance of paints being damaged or wrinkling.

Another great feature of a wooden palette is that it is easy to keep clean. At the end of each painting session, the painter can clean the palette with a drying oil to prepare it for next time. Linseed oil is a good option because it is cheap easily available and quick drying.

The natural brown color of a wooden palette is perfect for mixing colors, as it is similar to the dominant color of the canvas. This helps avoid the impression that the colors appear as being darker or lighter than they actually are. Vermeer employed a standard wooden palette and in a 1676 probate inventory there is mention of "twee schilders drye paletten" (two easels for painting and three wooden palettes). Frans van Mieris depicted the painted version of a Vermeer-styled palette in his allegorical representation in Pictura and Roger de Piles recommended painters to lay out the flesh tones from light to dark on a wooden palette.

Sturdy

Artists have used wooden palettes for centuries due to the fact that they're sturdy and durable. They are lighter than glass or tear-off Pallets Of Wood For Sale​ and more sturdy than paper palettes. This makes them easier to use and handle while painting. These palettes are great for mixing oil paints and alkyds. But, it's essential to choose a good wooden palette that has been treated with heat. This process eliminates fungi and pests which can cause damage to the wooden palette.

A high-quality wooden palette will be well-made and smooth which allows your brushes to glide effortlessly across it. It should be sprayed with drying oil that shields the wood from water and solvent damage, and helps maintain its shape. There are pre-finished palettes that are ready to use or you can make your own out of raw wood. If you're using a wood palette, be sure to clean it after every painting session. If you leave wet paint on a palette can crack or warp over time.

Wooden Palettes were among the first mixing surfaces for oil paints. They're still a popular choice for many artists. They're lightweight, strong and can hold a lot of paint without breaking. They are ideal for mixing thick paints such as alkyds, acrylics and heavy-bodied ones.

In Vermeer's time, the common palette with a hole for the thumb had replaced the earlier rectangular model that had an handle. The painter supported the palette with his thumb inside the hole, allowing him free the remaining fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick.

Heat-treated hardwoods such as spruce and other hardwoods are used to make an excellent palette. This is a way to eliminate any bugs or fungi. A heat treatment for wood makes it more difficult to scratch or scratch the surface of the palette. After years of use, a well-used, conditioned wooden pallet will have a smooth, glass-like surface. This is due to the build-up of thin layers of dried oils that aid the surface retain its shape.

Easy to clean

If you want a smooth, easy to clean palette that will last for a long time, a wood palette is the way where to get pallets​ go. This type of palette is popular among oil painters because it will not break or crack like glass palettes. You can either buy a wooden pallet that has been sealed or you can make it yourself. You'll need boiled Linseed Oil, which you can purchase from the hardware store. Nitrile gloves, and high-quality paper towels or rags. The process of sealing a palette with a drying oil fills the tiny gaps in the wood and creates a smooth surface that improves with each painting you make.

Once your palette is cleaned, you'll need to condition it following each painting session. This is important because it keeps your paints evenly mixed on the palette, and also protect your hands from solvents. To recondition your palette start by lightly sanding it with 180-grit sandpaper. This will open up the grain of the wood and allow it absorb oils more easily. Next pour a pool of linseed oil onto the palette and Pallets Near Me​ then use a rag to wipe it evenly over the entire surface. Then, let the oil dry for a day or two.

If there is any remaining paint on your palette, a little OMS applied to a rag should eliminate it. Do not attempt to scrape off the dried paint using anything sharp as this could scratch and harm your palette.

If you need to scrape dried paint off your palette, it is recommended to use the soft brush instead of using a knife. If you scrape it too hard you can break the New Wood Pallet For Sale and ruin the palette.

Aesthetically pleasing

A wooden palette is a beautiful and durable mixing surface that can make you feel like an artist. It is suitable for oil paints, as well as acrylics and alkyds. Its smooth surface is easy-to-clean and glides smoothly over the brush as you mix and pick up paint. Wooden palettes are available in different sizes and are lightweight. They come in a variety of designs and finishes.

Palettes made of wood have been in use for as long as art itself and are one of the oldest mixing surfaces. They have natural warm brown tones that doesn't change the colors of the paints that are on it. This is crucial because the dominant tone is what determines the perception of the color. A wooden palette also helps you see the hues of your paints as it has a mid-value that displays the hues against.

Vermeer's palettes are likely to be made of wood. The first palettes could be made of paper or tin, however they are most likely made of wood. In a 1676 probate inventories two easels for painters were listed along with three palettes. In an allegorical image of Pictura, Vermeer's peers Frans van Meieris and Jan Vermeer employed the same kind of palette. A traditional wooden palette for oil painting is usually designed to hold the thumb hole that is used to support the palette, while the remaining fingers hold brushes and the maulstick to steady the hand on the canvas while painting.

After cleaning the surface, wipe it clean with a drying oil -- Linseed, or another- to keep the palette clean until the next time you will need it. This will fill in the pores in the wood grain and create an even surface for your brushes. As time passes, an oiled palette will develop an attractive patina, which will add to its character.