11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually Okay To Create With Your Wooden Palette
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface that is also rigid. It also has warm tones that allow artists to see colors clearly when painting.
To seal a wooden palette use boiled linseed oil and a lint-free rag or high quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, both on both sides.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are available when you use an wooden palette. buy pallets near me makes it much easier to mix colors and then move them across your canvas or board. This is a great way to have your brushes in fingertips. I've found that using a palette of this sort can reduce the amount of time I'm shifting my body to reach and refill my brushes. I've also noticed that it aids with my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wood palettes that have been sealed and stained (to repel water as well as standard artist solvents) or you can purchase unfinished ones and stain them yourself. When working with wood that is raw, you will want to seal it before you start painting - this will make it less absorbent of the oils in your oil paints. Pour a small amount Linseed onto the palette, then rub it in with a lint-free rag. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I like to tone the linseed prior using it by adding a few drops of it to an oil medium that is brown, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me visualize the shadows I'll create in my paintings. used pallets for sale allows me to observe how the colors appear against the wood. Tone also helps me to distinguish the shades of light and dark in my artwork.
Over time, a properly used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. The oils you use to paint will stain the wood and the pigments will blend together to form a varnish-like finish. It's gorgeous to see.
Some artists prefer using an acrylic sealer that is clear on their wooden palettes, this can protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I have found that the old way of applying thin coats of linseed oil works just fine for me. It takes a little longer than polyurethane, but it's worth it as you can apply a coat every time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a classic option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large, stable surface that resists pigment absorption and promotes optimal mixing of colors. It also makes cleaning easy and quick by a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth after each use. Most arts and crafts stores have wooden palettes that are affordable.
For a 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 with warm soapy water and are used for a wide range of materials including acrylics. They are available in various sizes and have deep wells to mix colors.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a paper or styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, so they can be used for a single painting session, which makes them a perfect option for plein air painting. However, they can absorb some paint which can make it difficult to clean.
One of the most effective options for a permanent acrylic paint palette is a piece of sanded hardwood like spruce or pine, with a thumb hole. This lets the artist hold the palette with the thumb in the hole, leaving the other fingers free to hold brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps stop fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own homemade wooden palette from everyday items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be a good place to start. Glass or ceramic dishes are also a good choice. You can find them at auctions and thrift shops. They are generally attractive. You can also make use of the foil piece that will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.

A palette made of stay-wet is an alternative to the homemade palette that is very popular. These are basically an empty plastic container with a tight lid. You place a sponge at the bottom that you wet with water, then place a piece of specialty paper on top to keep the paint wet. The box can be kept closed and keep the sponge and paper moist for a few days. If the paper dries out you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists
When you're painting watercolors or oil paints using an wooden palette is an excellent option. These palettes are lightweight compared to other alternatives, particularly paper and glass and are sturdy enough to make it easy to handle. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. pallet wood for sale makes them easier to hold during long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that lets paint rest on top without being absorbed, and they can be cleaned easily for years of use.
The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by artists, and they remain a vital element in many studios of artists in the present. They provide an elegant, professional look and are perfect for mixing acrylics, oils, and alkyds. They are also often sourced by forestry practices that are sustainable. This makes using a wood pallet a sustainable choice for contemporary artists.
The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is regular cleaning and the re-oiling. Applying linseed, or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption and extend the longevity of your palette. Depending on the kind of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as simple as pouring a small amount of oil in the center of the palette and wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes with initials or other decorative elements. This is a wonderful option to make your palette feel like a part of your work, and to add a sense history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock in the place. This is an excellent feature to take with you when traveling.
Instagram has also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their beautifully-arranged setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual clues serve as an encouragement to paint on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding artistic experience. As you continue to paint with your wooden palette, it'll become a favorite 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 imagine is a wooden one, which was used by masters of the past. Although they are still used by some artists, these palettes are not suitable for acrylics or watercolors because the surface is porous and absorbs the paint too much. However, a new kind of paint palette has been invented that solves this problem. The new palettes are made from tempered glass which is extremely strong and won't break in the event of a drop. They also come in a variety of sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can choose one that is comfortable to hold and fit in your hand while working.
The new palettes, also known as "stay-wet" palettes, will keep your paints moist and useable for a long period of time after you've completed painting. To make a "stay wet" palette, add your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Then you can use either a paper towel or lint-free cloth to wipe off any excess, ensuring to reach all the tiny grooves in the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, assists the palette to retain pigment and oil while allowing hairs of the brush to pass through the wood easily.
Drying oils like linseed or walnut can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it using an abrasive to the surface. This will help to seal the wooden surface and make it impervious to solvents and water. It also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes, such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great choice because it doesn't soak up paint too much, and it's easy-to-clean. However, I'd rather to choose a traditional wooden palette because it's more durable and is more comfortable to hold. I also love the idea that I'm continuing the legacy of the old masters!