Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface that is also rigid. It has a warm color that helps painters perceive colors accurately.
To seal a palette made of wood use boiled linseed oil and a lint-free rag or a high quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the surface of the wood palette. Repeat daily, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Painting on a wooden palette allows all your oil paints at your fingertips. This makes it easy to mix colors and move them across your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes at your fingertips. This palette has helped me to save time by reducing the amount of time I am able to spend turning my body to reach my brushes and reload them. I've also noticed that it aids with my precision and consistency.
You can either buy wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to withstand the effects of water and standard solvents for artists or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior to painting will help it absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount Linseed onto the palette, and then rub in with a lint-free cotton rag. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use.
I prefer to tone my palette before 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 visualize the way my shadows appear on the wood. The tone will also help me to distinguish the shades of light and dark in my artwork.

A well-used wooden palette will form an exquisite patina over time. The oils you use to paint will stain it, and the pigments will mix to create a varnish-like look. New Wood Pallet For Sale to see.
Some artists use a clear acrylic varnish to seal their palettes made of wood. This protects the wood and also give it a stunning shine. I prefer the traditional method of applying multiple thin layers of Linseed oils. It takes a little longer than polyurethane, but it's worth it since you can apply a coat every time you wash your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a classic choice for acrylic and oil painting. It is a large and stable area that is resistant to absorption of pigment and encourages color mixing. After every use, a quick wiping with a paper towel or cloth makes cleanup simple. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts have wooden palettes that are affordable.
There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lighter option that resist solvent damage and feature a non-stick coating. 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 styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, which means they can be used for just one painting session, which makes them an ideal solution for plein air painting. However, they may absorb some paint which can make it difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded lumber, such as spruce or pine with a thumbhole, is one of the best options to make an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. The thumb can be placed into the hole to allow the artist to hold it with their other fingers. The thumb hole helps prevent fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palette using common items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be an ideal place to begin. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also an excellent option. You can find them at auctions and thrift shops. They are typically beautiful. You can even try using a piece of tin foil that will ward off the absorption of paint and will be easy to clean.
A very popular alternative to a DIY palette is a stay-wet palette. These are basically made of plastic with a lid that is tight. pallets near me moisten a sponge with water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you put the special paper the top to keep paint wet. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper wet for days. If the paper begins to dry you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters
When you're painting watercolors or oil paints, using the wooden palette is the best option. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives like glass or paper and rigid enough to handle easily. They also have cut-outs in the interior for the thumb and other fingers, which makes them comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They have a satin finish that lets paint rest on top without being absorbed. Additionally, they are easy to clean to last for a long time.
Wooden palettes were one of the first mixing surfaces used by painters, and they are still an important element in many studios of artists in the present. They have an elegant and professional appearance and are ideal for mixing alkyds, oils and acrylics. Additionally they are typically produced using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wood pallet a sustainable option for contemporary artists.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is most important factor in the durability of a wooden pallet. Applying linseed or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption, and increase the longevity of your palette. Re-oiling can be as easy as pouring oil into the middle of the palette, and wiping it off with an unlinty cloth.
Some artists choose to personalize wooden palettes with initials or other decorative elements. This is a great option to make your palette appear as an extension of your work and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalised palettes have lids that can lock in the position, which is a nice feature for travel.
Instagram has also played a part in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists post photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram 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 paint with your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment that reminds you of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think about a paint pallet, the first image we have is an old wooden one used by old masters. These palettes, though used by some artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours due to their porous surface. However, a different type of palette for painting is being developed that solves this issue. The new palettes are constructed from tempered glass that is extremely strong and won't break in the event of a drop. The palettes are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can choose one that fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use.
These new palettes, called "stay-wet" palettes, help keep your paints moist and usable for a long time after you have finished painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium on the back side of the palette and rub it in until it appears slightly tacky (like soft butter). Use a paper towel to get rid of any excess oil, and ensure that it gets into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, enables the palette to retain the oil and pigment while allowing brushhairs to pass easily.
Drying oils such as linseed, or walnut, can be used to make a wooden palette. Apply it with an abrasive to the surface. This will seal the wood and make it impervious to solvents and water. This also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.
Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes, like paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great option because it doesn't absorb paint as much, and it's also easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it's more sturdy and feels better in my hands. I also love the idea that I'm carrying on the tradition of the previous masters!