Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette has a smooth, light surface that is also rigid. It has a warm hue that aids artists in interpreting the colors with precision.
Make use of boiled linseed, a lint-free rag or paper towel to seal a wooden palette. Rub the oil onto the surface of the wood palette. Repeat daily, on both sides.
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 then move the paints across your canvas or board. This is a great way to have your brushes in your fingertips. I've noticed that a palette like this can reduce the amount of time I spend moving my body to reach and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it improves my precision and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed (to repel water as well as conventional solvents for artists) or you can buy unfinished ones and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you will want to seal it prior to painting. This will make it less absorbent of the oils used in your oil paints. To do this, pour a small pool of linseed oil on the palette, and then rub it in with a lint free rag until it is fully saturated. Then, wipe off any excess oil and your palette will be ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed before using it by adding a few drops of it to an oil medium that is brown, such as burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me visualize the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings. It also lets me observe how the colors look against the wood. Tone also helps me to distinguish the light and dark values in my paintings.

A well-used wooden palette will form a beautiful patina with time. The oils you use to paint will stain it, and the pigments will mix to create a varnish-like look. It's an amazing thing to see.
Some painters apply a clear acrylic varnish to seal their palettes made of wood. 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 is just fine for me. It takes a little longer than polyurethane, but it's worth it since you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
The wooden palette is a popular option for oil and acrylic painting. It provides a large solid surface that is resistant to pigment absorption and encourages optimal color mixing. It also makes clean up easy and simple with a quick wipe of a cloth or paper towel after every use. purchase wood pallets are also inexpensive and can be found at the majority of stores for arts and crafts.
For the modern acrylic painter, there are many palette options. Plastic palettes are a lighter alternative that can withstand solvent damage and have an anti-stick coating. They can be cleaned with warm soapy tap water and can be used with acrylics, among other materials. They are available in various sizes and have deep wells that allow mixing colors.
Another option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam plate. These plates are disposable and affordable, so they can be used only once during an entire painting session. This is why they are a great option for plein-air painting. They could absorb some of the paint, and could be difficult to wash.
A piece of sanded lumber such as pine or spruce with a thumbhole is one of the best options to make an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. The thumb can be inserted into the opening to allow the artist to hold it with their other fingers. The thumb hole can also help keep fingers from getting too dirty while using the palette.
Some artists make their own wooden palettes using household items. An old plastic or aluminum foil covered dish can be an excellent place to begin. You can also pick up old glass or ceramic dishes. They can be found at yard sales or in thrift shops and are usually quite pretty. You can also make use of the foil piece that can resist paint absorption and is easy to clean.
A palette that stays wet is an alternative to the DIY palette that is extremely popular. These are essentially a plastic box with an airtight lid. You soak a sponge in water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you put a sheet special paper on the top to keep paint moist. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper moist for a few days. If the paper dries out, you can always add more water to the palette.
Wooden Palettes For Watercolor Painters
Whether you are painting oil paints or watercolors, using an wooden palette is an excellent choice. These palettes are lightweight compared to other alternatives, particularly paper and glass and are strong enough to allow for easy handling. They feature cutouts in the interior for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy 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 for years of use.
Wooden palettes were one of the first mixing surfaces utilized by painters, and they remain an integral element in many studios of artists in the present. They have an elegant and professional appearance and are ideal for mixing alkyds, oils and acrylics. In addition they are typically produced using sustainable forestry practices. This makes using a wood pallet a sustainable option for contemporary artists.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is most important factor in the longevity of a wooden pallet. A reapplication of linseed oil or a special wood conditioner can help to prevent excessive absorption and prolong the lifespan of the palette. Re-oiling is as simple as pouring oil into the middle of the palette and wiping with an unlinty cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes using initials or other decorative elements. This is an excellent option to make your palette feel like an extension of your artwork and bring a sense of history to your tool. Some of these personalized palettes come with lids that lock in the position, which is a nice feature for travel.
Platforms such as Instagram have also played a role in the popularity of wood palettes, with artists posting photos of their beautiful setups to inspire others. These visual clues serve as a reminder that painting on a wooden pallet can be a rewarding artistic experience. As you continue to work with your wooden palette, it will eventually become a beloved piece of equipment and a reminder of your creative journey.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of an art pallet, the first image we have is an old wooden one used by masters of the past. While still used by a few painters however, these palettes aren't suitable to use with watercolors or acrylics due to the surface is porous and absorbs paint too much. However, a different type of paint palette has been invented that solves this problem. The new palettes are made of tempered glass, which is extremely robust and won't break should you drop it. They are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand when you work.
The new palettes are referred to as "stay wet" palettes due to the fact that they keep your paints wet and workable for a long time after you've finished painting. To make a stay wet palette, add your favorite oil painting medium to the back side of the palette. Rub it in until it looks somewhat tacky (like soft butter). Use a paper towel to get rid of any excess oil and ensure that it gets into all the grooves of the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, assists the palette to retain oil and pigment while allowing brush hairs to flow through with ease.
Another way to prepare a wooden palette is using a drying oil like linseed or safflower, or walnut - and then applying it to the surface of the palette using an abrasive. This will seal the wood and make it impervious to solvents and water. This will also prevent the paint from sticking on the surface of your palette when wet.
Some painters like to use disposable palettes such as paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a great option since it doesn't absorb paint too much and is easy to clean. However, I'd rather to choose a traditional wooden palette as it's more durable and it feels better in my hand. I love the idea of preserving the legacy of the previous masters.