Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, light surface and is extremely rigid. where to get pallets has a warm color that aids artists in interpreting colors in a precise manner.
To seal a wooden palette make use of boiled linseed oils and a lint free rag or high quality paper towel. Rub the oil onto the the wood palette. Repeat every day, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters

Oil paints are readily available when you use a wooden palette. This makes it easier to mix colors and then move them across your board or canvas. This is a great way to have your brushes at fingertips. I've noticed that such a palette really cuts down on the amount of time I'm moving my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps in my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to resist the effects of water and standard solvents for artists or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with wood that is raw, you'll need to seal it prior to painting. This will make it less absorbent of the oils used in your oil paints. Put a small amount of linseed on the palette, and then rub it into it with a clean cotton rag. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use.
I like to tone my palette before use by adding a few drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This helps me see the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings. It helps me visualize how the colors will look against the wood. Tone also helps me to distinguish the light and dark values in my paintings.
A wooden palette that has been well-used will develop a gorgeous patina over time. It will get more opaque and smooth, with the oil from your paints staining it a bit and the pigments merging together to create their own varnish-like coating. It's an amazing thing to look at.
Some artists prefer using an acrylic sealer with a clear finish 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 oils from linseed. 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 a classic option for oil and acrylic painting. It has a large solid, stable surface that blocks pigment absorbtion and promotes color mixing. After every use, a quick wipe with a paper towel or cloth makes cleanup easy. Palettes made of wood are not expensive and are available at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
There are a myriad of options available for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a lighter option that resist solvent damage and feature an anti-stick coating. They are easy to clean using warm soapy water, and can be used with a variety of materials including acrylics. They are available in various sizes and come with deep wells to mix colors.
A paper or styrofoam dish is a popular alternative for acrylic painting. They are cheap and disposable, which means they can be used for only one painting session, making them a perfect option for plein air painting. However, they may absorb some paint which can make it difficult to clean.
One of the best alternatives for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce with a thumb hole. This allows the artist to hold the palette using the thumb in the hole, leaving the other fingers free for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some artists create their own wooden palettes using household items. An old aluminum or plastic foil-covered dish could be an excellent place to begin. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also good choices. They are available at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually quite beautiful. You can even try using a piece of tin foil, which will resist the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
A stay-wet palette is a substitute for the homemade palette that is very well-known. pallets near me are essentially made of plastic with a tight lid. You soak a sponge in water and place it in the bottom of the box. Then, you place a sheet special paper on top to keep the paint wet. The box can be kept closed and will 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
A wooden palette is an excellent option for those who paint with watercolors or oil. They are light compared to other alternatives, including glass and paper, and are rigid enough to make it easy to handle. They feature cutouts in the interior for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easier to hold during long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that lets paint rest on top without being absorbed. Additionally, they are easily cleaned over time.
The wooden palette was among the earliest mixing surfaces used by artists. They are a vital part of many studios. They offer an elegant, professional look and are ideal to mix acrylics, oils, and alkyds. Additionally they are typically produced using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wood pallet a green option for modern artists.
The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is regular cleaning and re-oiling. Applying linseed, or a wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption and extend the life of your palette. Depending on the kind of wood the palette is made of, re-oiling it can be as easy as pouring a pool of oil into the center of the palette, then wiping it with a lint-free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or decorative elements. This is a great method to make the palette feel like an extension of your art and add a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes can be personalized with lids that lock in place. pallet near me is an excellent feature for traveling.
Platforms like Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes, with artists sharing pictures of their stunningly arranged sets to inspire others. These visual signals serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden palette can be a rewarding, artistic experience. If you continue to use your wooden palette, it will become a beloved piece of equipment and an enduring reminder of your artistic journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a palette to paint the first thing 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 however, these palettes aren't suitable to use with acrylics or watercolors because the surface is too porous and absorbs paint too much. A new paint palette was invented to solve this issue. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is very sturdy and won't break if you drop it. They also come in various shapes and sizes and sizes, so you can choose one that is easy to hold and fits in your hand while working.
These new palettes, referred to as "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints moist and usable for a prolonged period of time after you have completed painting. To make a stay wet palette, simply add your preferred oil painting medium to the back of the palette and rub it into the wood until it appears somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Use a paper towel to remove any excess oil, and ensure that it gets into all grooves of the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, allows the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing the hairs of the brush to pass easily.
Drying oil, such as linseed or walnut, can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it using a rag to the surface. This will help protect the wooden surface and make it impervious to solvents and water. This will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when wet.
Some painters prefer to use disposable palettes, like paper cups or styrofoam plates. This is a good choice because it doesn't absorb paint too much and is easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I also love the idea that I'm preserving a tradition of the old masters!