Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?

A wooden palette is light, rigid and has an even surface. It also has warm tones that help painters to perceive colors accurately when painting.

Use boiled linseed and a lint-free rag or paper towel to protect the wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the surface of the palette. Repeat daily, front and back.

Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters

Painting on a wooden palette can bring all your oil paints right to your fingertips. This makes it easy to mix colors and move them on your canvas or board. This is a great way to have your brushes in fingertips. I've discovered that using such a palette really cuts down on the amount of time I spend moving my body to grab and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it helps me with my accuracy and consistency.

You can purchase wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or buy them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you should seal it prior to painting. This makes it less able to absorb of the oils used in your oil paints. Put a small amount of linseed onto your palette, and then rub it in with a clean cloth. After that, clean off the excess and your palette is now ready to use.

I prefer to tone my palette prior to using it by adding a few drops of a brown medium (such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre) to the Linseed oil. This allows me to imagine how my shadows will appear on the wood. The tone will help me to distinguish between the light and dark values of my painting.


A well-used wooden palette will form a gorgeous patina over time. It will become more opaque and smooth, due to the oil in your paints staining it bit and the pigments blending together to form their own varnish-like coating. It's stunning to look at.

Some painters prefer to use an acrylic sealer that is clear on their palettes made of wood - this will protect the wood and give it an attractive shine. However, I've found that the old way of applying several thin coats of linseed oil works perfectly for me. It takes a little longer than polyurethane but it's worth it because you can apply a coat every time you wash your palette.

Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters

A wooden palette is the most popular choice for oil and acrylic painting. It provides a large and stable surface that blocks pigment absorption and promotes optimal mixing of colors. After each use, a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth will make cleanup easy. Wooden palettes are also inexpensive and are available at most arts and crafts stores.

For a modern acrylic painter there are a variety of palette options. Plastic palettes are a light alternative that can withstand solvent damage and feature a non-stick coating. They are easy to clean using warm soapy water and are used for a wide range of materials including acrylics. They are generally available in several sizes with deep wells to mix colors.

Another option for acrylic painting is a paper or styrofoam plate. They are inexpensive and disposable, so they can be used for a single painting session, making them an ideal option for plein air painting. However, they can absorb paint, which can make them difficult to clean.

A piece of sanded lumber like pine or spruce that has a thumbhole, is one of the best options for creating an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. The thumb can be inserted into the hole to allow the artist to hold it using their other fingers. The thumb hole helps prevent the fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.

Some painters prefer to make their own wooden palette using everyday items. A dish that is covered in aluminum foil or plastic might be a great spot to start. Old ceramic or glass dishes are also a good choice. These can be found at yard sales or in thrift shops and are usually beautiful. You can also make use of a piece tin foil which can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.

A stay-wet palette is a substitute for the homemade palette that is extremely popular. wooden palette​ are basically boxes made of plastic that have an airtight lid. You dampen a sponge with water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you place an extra sheet of paper on top to keep paint damp. The box can be shut and the sponge and paper will stay damp for several days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper gets dry.

Wooden Palettes for Watercolor Painters

A wooden palette is an excellent choice for anyone who paints with oil or watercolors. They are lighter than other options such as glass or paper and are strong enough to handle easily. They also have interior cut-outs for the thumb and other fingers, which makes them comfortable to hold for long periods of time as you work. They feature a satin-finished finish that allows paint to be able to sit on top of the surface without being absorbed, and they can be cleaned easily to last for a long time.

The wooden palette was among the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They are still an essential part of many studios. They offer an elegant, professional appearance and are perfect for mixing oils, acrylics and alkyds. In addition, they are often made from sustainable forest practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be a green option for the contemporary artist.

Regular cleaning and re-oiling is most important factor in the durability of a wooden pallet. Reapplying linseed or a wood conditioner can help prevent excessive absorption, and prolong the longevity of your palette. Based on the type of wood the palette is made of, re-oiling it can be as simple as pouring a pool of oil into the center of the palette and then wiping it with a lint-free cloth.

Some artists even choose to personalize their wooden palettes by carving initials or decorative elements into the wood. This is a fantastic method to make your palette feel like part of your art and create a sense of history for your tool. Some of these personalised palettes have lids that can be locked in the place this is a great feature for travel.

Instagram has also played a role in the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists post photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. These visual clues serve as an encouragement to paint on a wooden palette can be a rewarding, artistic experience. As you continue to paint with your wooden palette it will become a beloved piece of equipment that reminds you of your artistic journey.

Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters

When we think of a palette for painting, the first image that comes to mind is a wooden one that was used by masters of the past. These palettes, though utilized by a few artists, are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics because of their porous surfaces. However, a new kind of palette for paint has been invented that solves this problem. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is very robust and won't break should you drop it. They are also available in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fit into your hand when you work.

The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes since they keep your paints moist and able to work for a long time after you've completed painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, place your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it in until the paint appears tacky (like butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil and ensure that it gets into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, referred to as seasoning, enables the palette to hold pigment and oil while allowing the brush hairs to move easily.

Another good way to prep a wooden palette is using a drying oil - like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and then applying it to the surface of the palette with a rag. This will help seal the wood and make it impervious to solvents and water. It also stops the paint from sticking to the surface of the palette when it is wet.

Some artists prefer to use disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good option because it doesn't absorb paint too much, and it's easy to clean. However, I'd rather to use a traditional wooden palette as it's more durable and it feels better in my hand. I also like the idea that I'm continuing a tradition of the old masters!