Notes

The Wooden Palette Success Story You'll Never Remember
Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?

A wooden palette has a smooth, light surface and is extremely 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. Rub the oil onto the surface of the palette. Repeat every day, both in front and back.

Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters

Painting on a wooden palette allows all your oil paints right at your fingertips. This makes it much easier to mix colors and move them around the surface of your canvas or board. It's also a great method to keep your brushes at your fingertips. I've noticed that a palette of this sort reduces the amount of time I spend moving my body to reach and refill my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps with my precision and consistency.

You can purchase wood palettes that have been stained and sealed (to resist water and regular solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. Sealing the wood prior painting will allow it to absorb less oil from your oil paints. To do this simply pour a small pool of Linseed oil onto the palette and rub it in with an lint-free sponge until it is completely fully saturated. After that, clean off any excess oil and your palette is ready to use.

I prefer to tone my palette before using it by adding some drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow orange) to the linseed oil. This allows me to visualize how my shadows will look on the wood. The tone will help me distinguish between the dark and light values of my painting.

With time, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a beautiful patina. The oils you use to paint will stain it, and the pigments will blend together to create a varnish-like finish. It's stunning to look at.

Some artists employ a clear acrylic varnish to seal their wooden palettes. This protects the wood and give it a beautiful shine. However, I have found that the traditional method of applying thin coats of linseed oil works perfectly for me. It takes a bit longer 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


A wooden palette is the most popular choice for oil and acrylic painting. It provides a large solid surface that is resistant to pigment absorption and facilitates optimal color mixing. It also makes clean up easy and quick by simply wiping a paper towel or cloth after each use. Most arts and crafts stores offer wooden palettes, which are affordable.

If you are a modern acrylic artist there are numerous palette options. 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 are used with a variety of materials including acrylics. They are typically available in a variety of sizes and deep wells to mix colors.

Another option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, which means they can be used for just one painting session, making them an ideal solution for plein air painting. They may take in some paint though, which can be difficult to clean.

One of the best options for an acrylic paint palette that is permanent is a piece of sanded wood, like pine or spruce that has a thumb hole. The thumb can be placed into the opening to allow the artist to hold it using their other fingers. The thumb hole is designed to prevent fingers from becoming too dirty while using the palette.

Some painters make their own wooden palettes out of household items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic can be a great spot to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also an excellent option. They are available at yard sales or thrift shops and are usually pretty. You can also use the foil piece that will resist the absorption of paint and is easy to clean.

An extremely popular alternative to a DIY palette is a plastic stay-wet palette. They're basically made of plastic with a lid that is tight. You soak a sponge in water and put it in the bottom of the box. Then, you put the special paper the top to keep paint moist. The box can be sealed and 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

When you're painting watercolors or oil paints, an wooden palette is an excellent option. These palettes are lightweight in comparison to other alternatives, particularly paper and glass and are strong enough to make it easy to handle. They have cutouts inside for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them simple to hold during long periods. They feature a satin-finished finish that lets paint be able to sit on top of the surface without being absorbed. Furthermore, they can be cleaned easily to last for a long time.

The wooden palette was one of the earliest mixing surfaces used by artists. They remain an integral part of many studios. They have an elegant and professional design, and are ideal to mix alkyds, oils and acrylics. They are also typically sourced using sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette could be a green choice for the modern artist.

The most important factor in the longevity of a wooden palette is frequent cleaning and re-oiling. Applying pallet wood for sale or a wood conditioner can prevent excessive absorption, and prolong the lifespan of your palette. Depending on the kind of wood the palette is made of, re-oiling it can be as simple as pouring a pool of oil in the center of the palette and wiping it with a lint-free cloth.

Some artists prefer to personalize wooden palettes using initials or decorative elements. This is a wonderful option to make your palette feel like part of your work, and to add a sense history to your tool. Some of these personalised palettes have lids that can be locked into the position and lock in place, which is a wonderful feature for traveling.

Platforms like Instagram have also contributed to the popularity of wood palettes, with artists sharing photos of their beautiful sets to inspire others. These visual cues are a wonderful reminder that painting using a wooden palette could be a rewarding and satisfying experience. As you continue to work with your wooden palette, it will eventually 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 palette to paint the first image that comes to mind is one made of wood, that was used by masters of the past. They are still used by some artists are not suitable for acrylics or watercolours due to their porous surface. However, a different type of paint palette has been invented that solves this issue. These new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is extremely robust and will not break if you drop it. They're also available in various sizes and shapes which means you can pick one that is comfortable to hold and fit into your hand while working.

These new palettes, referred to as "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints hydrated and usable for a long period of time after you have finished painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium to the back side of the palette and rub it into the wood until it appears slightly tacky (like soft butter). Then you can use 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, referred to as seasoning, allows the palette to keep the oil and pigment while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.

A drying oil like linseed or walnut, can be used to make a wooden pallet. Apply it with an abrasive on the surface. This will seal the wood and make it impervious to water and solvents. This will also prevent the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.

Some artists prefer using disposable palettes, such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good option because it doesn't absorb paint too much and is easy to clean. I prefer a wooden palette because it is more durable and feels better in my hands. I love the idea of carrying on the tradition of the older masters.

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