A Journey Back In Time The Conversations People Had About Wooden Palette 20 Years Ago
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette? A wooden palette has a smooth, lightweight surface and is rigid. It has a warm color that helps painters perceive colors in a precise manner. To seal a palette made of wood make use of boiled linseed oil as well as a lint-free rag or a high-quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, front and back. Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters Oil paints are at your fingertips when you use an wooden palette. This makes it easy to mix colors and move the paints across your canvas or board. It's also a great way to keep your brushes at hand. This palette has helped me to save time by reducing the amount of time that 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 accuracy and consistency. You can either buy wood palettes that are already stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood before painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this, put a small amount of oil from linseed onto your palette and rub it into the palette with a lint free rag until it is fully saturated. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette is now ready to use. I prefer to tone my palette prior use by adding the smallest amount of brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This allows me to visualize how my shadows will appear on the wood. The tone helps me differentiate between the light and dark values of my painting. With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. It will get more opaque and smooth due to the oil in your paints staining it bit and the pigments blending together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's an amazing thing to behold. Some artists prefer using an acrylic sealer that is clear on their wooden palettes, it will protect the wood and give it a stunning shine. I prefer the old method of applying multiple thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a bit more time than using polyurethane but it's worth the wait since you can apply a coat every 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 and stable area that is resistant to pigment absorbtion and promotes mixing of colors. After each use, a quick wiping with a paper towel or cloth will make cleanup easy. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found in many stores selling arts and crafts. There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lighter alternative that can withstand solvent damage and have a non-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, and other materials. They are available in various sizes and come with deep wells to mix colors. A dish made of paper or styrofoam is a popular alternative for acrylic painting. These plates are reusable and inexpensive, so they can be used only once for the duration of a painting session. This makes them a great choice for plein-air painting. However, they could absorb paint, which could make them difficult to clean. One of the most effective alternatives for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood such as spruce or pine, with a thumb hole. This lets the artist hold the palette by inserting the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette. Some painters prefer to make their own wooden palette from household items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic could be a great place to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also good choices. They are available at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are typically attractive. You can also make use of the foil piece that can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean. A popular alternative to a DIY palette is a stay-wet plastic palette. These are basically an empty plastic container with a secure lid. You place a sponge in the bottom and dampen with water, then place a piece of specialty paper on top to keep the paint moist. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will stay moist for several days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper starts to dry. Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters A wooden palette is an excellent option for those who paint with watercolors or oil. They are lighter than other options such as glass or paper, and are also strong enough to be handled easily. They also have interior cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, making them comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They have a satin finish that lets paint sit on top without being absorbed, and they are easily cleaned for years of use. The wooden palette was one of the first mixing surfaces used by artists. They are a vital part of many studios. They have an elegant, professional appearance and are perfect to mix acrylics, oils, and alkyds. They are also typically sourced using sustainable forestry practices. This makes a wooden pallet a green option for contemporary artists. A key to the longevity of a wooden palette is frequent cleaning and the re-oiling. Applying linseed, or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption, and prolong the life of your palette. Depending on the kind of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as easy as pouring a puddle of oil into the center of the palette and then wiping it with a lint-free cloth. Some artists opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into them. This is an excellent method to make the palette feel like an extension of your work and give a sense of historical significance to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock in the correct position. This is an excellent feature to use when traveling. Instagram has also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists share photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues are a great reminder that painting using a wooden palette can be a rewarding and satisfying experience. As you continue to work with your wooden palette, it will become a favorite piece of equipment and an excellent reminder of your creative journey. Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters When we think of a paint palette, the first thing that comes to mind is one made of wood used by old masters. These palettes, although still used by some artists, are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours because of their porous surfaces. However, a new kind of paint palette is being developed that solves this problem. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is very robust and will not break if you drop it. They're also available in various shapes and sizes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fit in your hand while working. The new palettes are referred to as “stay wet” palettes due to the fact that they keep your paints moist and able to work for a long time after you've finished painting. To prepare a stay-wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium on the back side of the palette. Rub it in until it looks somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Then you can use either a paper towel or lint-free cloth to clean any excess, making sure to get it into all the tiny grooves within the wood grain. New Wood Pallet For Sale , known as seasoning, assists the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing brush hairs to pass through with ease. Another method to prepare a wooden palette is by using a drying oil like linseed or safflower, or walnut – and applying it on the surface of the palette using an abrasive. This will seal the wood, making it resistant to water and solvents. It will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet. Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes such as paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a great option because it doesn't absorb paint too much, and it's easy to clean. However, I would prefer to use a traditional wooden palette as it's more durable, and it feels better in my hand. I am awestruck by the idea of continuing the legacy of the previous masters.