How To Get More Value From Your Wooden Palette
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette? A wooden palette is lightweight, rigid and has an even surface. It also has warm tones that help 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 onto the surface of the wood palette. Repeat every day, both in front and back. pallet wood for sale for Oil Painters Oil paints are available using an wooden palette. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move the paints across your board or canvas. This is an excellent way to keep your brushes close at fingertips. This palette has helped me to reduce the amount of time I have to turn around my body in order to reach my brushes to reload them. I've also noticed that it improves my precision and consistency. You can purchase wood palettes that are stained and sealed to withstand water and standard artist solvents or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior to painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. Pour a small amount of Linseed onto the palette, and then rub it in using a lint-free, clean cotton rag. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use. I prefer to tone my palette prior to use by adding the smallest amount of brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This helps me visualize how my shadows will appear on the wood. The tone helps me distinguish between the dark and light values of my painting. With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. The oils from your paints will stain the wood and the pigments will mix to form a varnish-like finish. 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 a stunning shine. I prefer the old method of applying multiple thin layers of oils from linseed. It takes a bit more time than polyurethane, but it's worth it because you can apply one coat each time you clean your palette. Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters A wooden palette is a popular choice for acrylic and oil painting. It has a large and stable area that is resistant to the absorption of color and facilitates color mixing. It also makes cleaning easy and simple by a quick wipe with a cloth or paper towel after every use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found at many stores selling arts and crafts. There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are light. They also withstand damage caused by solvents. They are easy to clean with warm soapy water, and can be used for a wide range of materials, including acrylics. They are usually available in a variety of sizes and deep wells to mix colors. A dish made of paper or styrofoam is a popular alternative for acrylic painting. These plates are easily disposable and cost-effective, so they are only used once during a painting session. This is why they are a great option for plein-air painting. They could take in some paint, and could be difficult to wash. One of the best options for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded hardwood, like pine or spruce that has a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold it with their other fingers. The thumb hole is designed to keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette. Some artists make their own wooden palette from everyday items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic can be a great spot to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also an excellent option. You can find them at yard sales and thrift shops. They are usually quite attractive. You can also use the foil piece that will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean. A palette that stays wet is a substitute for the traditional palette that is very popular. They are essentially a plastic box with a secure lid. You moisten a sponge with water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you add a sheet special paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be sealed and keep the sponge and paper moist for several days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper becomes dry. Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters When you're painting oil paints or watercolors using the 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. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy to hold during long periods. They are finished with a satin that allows paint to be applied without being absorbed. They are also easy to clean and last for many years of use. The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by artists, and they remain a vital part of many artist's studios today. They have an elegant and professional appearance, and are ideal for mixing oils, alkyds, and acrylics. They are also typically sourced by forestry practices that are sustainable. This is why using a wooden palette could be a green choice for the modern artist. Regular cleaning and re-oiling is most important factor in the longevity of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oils or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can help prevent excessive absorption and prolong the lifespan of the palette. Depending on the type of wood, re-oiling a palette can be as simple as pouring a small amount of oil in the center of the palette and then wiping it with a lint-free cloth. Some artists choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into them. This is a great method to make your palette feel like a part of your work and create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these personalised palettes come with lids that be locked in the place, which is a nice feature for traveling. Instagram has also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists upload pictures of their beautiful setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual clues serve as an example of how painting on a wooden palette can be a rewarding artistic experience. When you continue painting with your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment that reminds you of your journey to creativity. Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters When we think about an art pallet the first thing we imagine is a wooden one that was used by old masters. While still used by a few painters however, these palettes aren't ideal for watercolors or acrylics due to the surface is porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was invented to solve this problem. These new palettes have been constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely strong and won't break if dropped. The palettes are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can choose one that is comfortable in your hand and is easy to use. These new palettes, called “stay-wet” palettes, help keep your paints moist and usable for a prolonged period of time after you have completed painting. To prepare 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 apply an old towel or lint free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to get it into all the tiny grooves within the wood grain. This process, also known as seasoning, helps the palette retain oil and pigment while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass through the wood easily. Another method to prepare a wooden palette is using a drying oil – such as linseed, safflower or walnut – and then applying it on the surface of the palette with a rag. This will help to protect the wood and make it more resistant to water and solvents. It will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when wet. Some painters like to use disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good choice because it won't absorb the paint too much and it's easy to clean. However, I'd rather to choose an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and is more comfortable to hold. I love the idea of preserving the legacy of the previous masters.