The Wooden Palette Awards: The Best, Worst, And Most Bizarre Things We've Seen

Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?

A wooden palette is light and rigid, and has an even surface. It has a warm color that helps painters perceive the colors with precision.

Use boiled linseed and an unlinty rag or paper towel to seal a wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the the wood palette. Repeat daily, back and front.

Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters

Oil paints are readily available using the wooden palette. This makes it easier to mix colors and move them on your board or canvas. It's also a great way to keep your brushes close to the ready. I've found that using such a palette reduces the amount of time I spend turning my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps with my precision and consistency.

You can purchase wooden palettes that have been sealed and stained (to resist water as well as standard artist solvents) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you will want to seal it before you start painting - this makes it less able to absorb of the oils you use in your oil paints. Pour a small amount linseed on the palette, and then rub in with a lint-free cloth. Then wipe off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use.

I like to tone my palette before use by adding some 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. Tone also helps me to distinguish the dark and light values in my paintings.

A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop a beautiful patina with time. It will become more transparent and smooth due to the oil in your paints staining it bit and the pigments merging together to form a varnish-like coating. It's stunning to look at.

Some painters apply an acrylic varnish that is clear to seal their palettes made of wood. This will protect the wood and will give it a stunning shine. I prefer the old method of applying several thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a bit more time than using polyurethane but it's worth it because 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 an ideal choice for acrylic and oil painting. It provides a large, stable surface that resists pigment absorption and promotes optimal mixing of colors. It also makes cleaning easy and simple by a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth after each use. Palettes made of wood are also affordable and can be found at many stores selling arts and crafts.

For the modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes have a nonstick coating and are light. They also resist the effects of solvents. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, and other materials. They are typically available in various sizes and deep wells for color mixing.

A paper or styrofoam dish is a different option for acrylic painting. They are inexpensive and disposable, which means they can be used for just one painting session, which makes them a perfect option for plein air painting. However, they could absorb paint, which can make it difficult to clean.

A piece of sanded wood, such as pine or spruce that has a thumbhole, is among the best options to create an acrylic paint pallet that can be used for a long time. This allows the artist to hold the palette with the thumb placed inside the hole, leaving the other fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick.  pallet buying​  helps to prevent fingers from becoming too dirty when using the palette.

Some artists create their own wooden palettes from household items. A dish covered with aluminum foil or plastic can be a great place to start. You can also opt for old glass or ceramic dishes. They are available at yard sales and thrift shops and are usually beautiful. You can also use an aluminum foil that will resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.

A stay-wet palette is a substitute for the homemade palette that is extremely popular. These are basically an empty plastic container with a lid that is tight. You place a sponge in the bottom that you wet with water, then place a piece of special paper on top to keep the paint wet. The box can be closed and the sponge and paper will remain moist for several days. You can always add water to the palette if the paper becomes dry.

Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters

If you're painting with oil paints or watercolors using an wooden palette is the best option. They are light compared to other alternatives, particularly paper and glass, and are rigid enough to allow for easy handling. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy to hold while working for long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to rest on top without being absorbed. Additionally, they are easy to clean over time.

The wooden palettes were among the first mixing surfaces utilized by painters, and they remain a vital part of many artist's studios today. They offer an elegant, professional look and are ideal for mixing acrylics, oils and alkyds. In addition they are typically made from sustainable forest practices. This makes using a wood pallet a green option for contemporary artists.

Regular cleaning and re-oiling are the key to the longevity of a wooden pallet. Applying linseed, or a wood conditioner can stop excessive absorption and extend the life of your palette. Depending on the type of wood that is used, re-oiling a palette could be as simple as pouring a puddle of oil in the center of the palette and then wiping it off with a lint-free, clean cloth.

Some artists opt to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into the surface. This is an excellent way to make the palette appear as an extension of your artwork and bring a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock in the place. This is a great feature for traveling.

Platforms such as Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, with artists posting photos of their beautifully arranged setups to inspire others. These visual clues serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden pallet is a rewarding, artistic experience. If you continue to paint with your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment that will remind you of your creative journey.

Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters

When we think about a paint pallet, the first image we have is a wooden one, which was used by old masters. While still used by a few artists however, these palettes aren't suitable to use with acrylics or watercolors because the surface is too porous and absorbs the paint too much. A new paint palette was invented to solve this problem. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is very sturdy and won't break if you drop it. The palettes are available in a variety of sizes and shapes which means 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 since they keep your paints moist and workable for a long time after you've finished painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Then, 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, enables the palette to hold pigment and oil while allowing brushhairs to pass easily.

Another good way to prep a wooden palette is using a drying oil such as linseed, safflower or walnut - and applying it on the surface of the palette using a rag. This will help protect the wood and make it resistant to solvents and water. This will also prevent the paint from sticking on the surface of your palette when wet.

Some artists prefer to use disposable palettes like paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option because it doesn't soak up paint too much, and it's also easy to clean. However, I would prefer to choose a traditional wooden palette as it's more durable and it is more comfortable to hold. I am awestruck by the idea of carrying on the tradition of the old masters.