Watch Out: How Wooden Palette Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette? A wooden palette is a light, smooth surface that is also rigid. It also has a warm tone that helps artists to see colors clearly when painting. To seal a palette made of wood use boiled linseed oil and a lint-free rag or a high quality paper towel. purchase wood pallets on the surface of the wood palette. Repeat every day, both in 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 the paints across your canvas or board. It's also a great method to keep your brushes at hand. This palette has helped me to save time by reducing the amount of time I am able to spend turning my body in order to reach my brushes and reload them. I've noticed that it aids me in my precision and consistency. You can purchase 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. To do this, simply pour a small pool of linseed oil on the palette, and then rub it in using an lint-free sponge until it is completely saturated. Then wipe off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use. I prefer to tone my palette before using it by adding a few drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow orange) to the Linseed oil. This allows me to imagine how my shadows will appear on the wood. The tone helps me distinguish between the dark and light values of my painting. As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. It will get more transparent and smooth due to the oil in your paints staining it little and the pigments mixing together to form a varnish-like coating. It's a gorgeous thing to see. Some artists apply a clear acrylic varnish to seal their wooden palettes. This protects the wood and also give it a stunning shine. However, I have found that the traditional method of applying several thin coats of linseed oil works well for me. It takes a bit longer than using polyurethane, but it's worth it because you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette and it will only improve over time. Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters The wooden palette is a classic option for oil and acrylic painting. It is a large solid, stable surface that blocks pigment absorbtion and promotes color mixing. It also makes clean up easy and quick with a quick wipe of a paper towel or cloth after every use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and are available at many stores selling arts and crafts. If you are a modern acrylic artist, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes come with 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 typically available in several sizes with deep wells for mixing colors. Another popular choice for acrylic painting is a paper or styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, so they can be used for only one painting session, making them a perfect option for plein air painting. They may absorb some paint, however, which can be difficult to clean. A piece of sanded timber such as pine or spruce that has a thumbhole, is among the best options to make an acrylic paint pallet that can be used for a long time. The thumb can be inserted into the opening to allow the artist to hold the palette with their other fingers. The thumb hole can also help keep fingers from getting too dirty while 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 place to begin. You can also opt for old glass or ceramic dishes. They are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are usually quite gorgeous. You can also use an aluminum foil that will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean. A stay-wet palette is a substitute for the homemade palette that is very well-known. They are essentially made of plastic with a tight lid. The sponge is placed at the bottom that you make damp with water, and then place a piece of paper that is specially designed to keep the paint moist. The box can be sealed and the sponge and paper will remain wet for a few days. If the paper dries out, you can always add more water to the palette. Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters A wooden palette is a fantastic choice for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. These palettes are lighter than other alternatives such as glass or paper and are strong enough to be able to be handled easily. They feature cutouts in the interior for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold during long periods. They have a satin finish that lets paint rest on top without being absorbed. Furthermore, they can be cleaned easily for years of use. The wooden palette was among the earliest mixing surfaces used by artists. They are still a vital part of many studios. They have an elegant and professional design and are ideal for mixing alkyds, oils and acrylics. They are often made with sustainable forestry practices. This makes a wooden pallet a sustainable choice for contemporary artists. Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the essential to the longevity of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed oil or a specialized wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the longevity of the palette. Re-oiling is as simple as pouring oil in the middle of the palette and wiping it off with a lint free cloth. Some artists opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or other decorative elements into the wood. This is a great option to make your palette appear as an extension of your art and bring a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be customized with lids that lock into the correct position. This is a great feature to take with you when traveling. Instagram has also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their beautifully-arranged setups on Instagram to inspire others. These visual clues serve as a reminder that painting on a pallet made of wood can be a rewarding artistic experience. When you continue painting using your wooden palette, it will become a cherished piece of equipment that will remind you of your artistic journey. Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters When we think of a paint palette, the first image that comes to mind is one made of wood, that was used by masters of the past. Although they are still used by some painters but these palettes aren't suitable for watercolors or acrylics since the surface is porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was invented to solve this issue. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is very robust and will not break if you drop it. The palettes are available in a variety of sizes and shapes and sizes, so you can pick one that fits comfortably in your hand and is simple to use. The new palettes are referred to as “stay wet” palettes due to the fact that they keep your paints wet and able to work for a long time after you've finished painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette and rub it in until it looks somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Use a paper towel to remove any excess oil, and ensure that it gets in all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, called seasoning, allows the palette to retain oil and pigment while allowing hairs of the brush to move through with ease. Drying oil such as linseed, or walnut can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it with an abrasive on the surface. This will help to seal the wooden surface and make it impervious to water and solvents. This will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when wet. Some artists prefer using disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great choice because it doesn't soak up paint too often, and is easy to clean. However, I'd prefer to use a traditional wooden palette as it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I am awestruck by the idea of preserving the tradition of the older masters.