It's The Wooden Palette Case Study You'll Never Forget

Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?

A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface that is also rigid. It is a warm-colored palette that helps painters perceive the colors with precision.

To seal a wooden palette make use of boiled linseed oils and a lint free rag or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the the wood palette. Repeat daily, in front and back.

Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters

Painting on a wooden palette can bring all your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it easy to mix colors and then move the paints across your board or canvas. It's also a great way to keep your brushes close at the ready. I've discovered that using a palette like this really cuts down on the amount of time I spend moving my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps in my accuracy and consistency.

You can buy wood palettes that are stained and sealed to resist water and standard solvents for artists or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with wood that is raw, you'll need to seal it prior to painting. This will make it less adsorbent of the oils in your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed on the palette, then rub it in using a lint-free, non-lint cotton rag. Then, wipe off any excess and your palette is now ready to use.

I like to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops to an oil medium that is brown, like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This allows me to imagine how my shadows will appear on the wood. The tone helps me to distinguish between the light and dark values of my painting.

With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. It will become more transparent and smooth with the oil from your paints staining it a bit and the pigments merging together to create their own 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 will protect the wood and give it an attractive shine. However, I have found that the old way of applying multiple thin coats of linseed oil work just fine for me. It takes a little longer than polyurethane but it's worth it as you can apply one coat each time you wash your palette.

Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters

The wooden palette is a popular choice for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large and stable area that is resistant to absorption of pigment and encourages mixing of colors. It also makes cleaning easy and quick by a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth after every use. Wooden palettes are also inexpensive and can be found at many stores selling arts and crafts.

There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today.  purchase wood pallets  are a lighter option that resist damage from solvents and also have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, among other materials. They are generally available in several sizes with deep wells to mix colors.

A paper or styrofoam dish is a different option for acrylic painting. These are affordable and disposable, which means they can be used for just one painting session, which makes them an ideal option for plein air painting. They could absorb some of the paint, and can be difficult to clean.

One of the best alternatives for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded wood such as spruce or pine, with a thumb hole. The thumb can be inserted into the opening to allow the artist to hold the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole also helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.

Some artists make their own wooden palettes from household items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic might be a great spot to begin. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also good choices. You can find them at yard sales and in thrift shops.  pallets of wood for sale​  are usually quite attractive. You can also use a piece tin foil which will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.

A stay-wet palette is a substitute for the DIY palette that is very popular. These are essentially containers made of plastic with an airtight lid. You dampen a sponge with water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you place an extra sheet of paper on the top to keep paint damp. The box can be kept closed and will keep the sponge and paper wet for days. If the paper starts to dry out it is possible to add more water to the palette.

Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters

A wooden palette is a fantastic choice for anyone who paints with watercolors or oil. They are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper and are strong enough to handle easily. They also have internal cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, which makes them comfortable to hold for long periods of time while you work. They have a satin-finish that allows paint to be applied without absorbing. They can also be cleaned easily and are durable for years of use.

The wooden palette was one of the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They remain an integral part of many studios. They have an elegant, professional appearance and are ideal for mixing oils, acrylics and alkyds. They are often made with sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette could be a sustainable choice for the modern artist.

Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the key to a wooden pallet's longevity. Reapplying linseed or a wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the longevity of your palette. Based on the type of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as simple as pouring a puddle of oil into the center of the palette and then wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.

Some artists opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or other decorative elements into the surface. This is a great option to make your palette feel like a part of your art and add a sense history to your tool. Some of these customized palettes have lids that can lock in the position this is a great feature for traveling.

Platforms like Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, as artists post photos of their beautiful arrangements to inspire others. These visual clues serve as an encouragement to paint on a wooden palette can be a rewarding artistic experience. If you continue to paint 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 the first thing we think of is an old wooden one used by old masters. Although they are still used by some painters, these palettes are not ideal for use with watercolors or acrylics due to the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was invented to solve this problem. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely durable and won't break if dropped. They are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is easy to hold and fits into your hand while working.

These new palettes are known as "stay wet" palettes because they keep your paints moist and functional for a lengthy 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 is tacky (like butter). Then, use an old towel or lint-free cloth to wipe off any excess, ensuring to get it into all the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, allows the palette retain oil and pigment while allowing brush hairs to flow through easily.

Another good way to prep for a wooden palette is using a drying oil like linseed, safflower or walnut - and applying it on the surface of the palette with a rag. This will help protect the wood and make it more resistant to solvents and water. This will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.

Some painters like to use disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option because it doesn't absorb paint too much, and it's also easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I love the idea of carrying on the tradition of the older masters.