Why Use a Wooden Palette For Oil Painting?
Traditionally, wooden palettes were used to paint oil. They are lightweight and easy to clean. They also look gorgeous.
Many depictions of painters at work are still around. Some depict a wooden palette similar to the ones Vermeer employed.
To prepare a wooden palette, wipe the surface clean with dry oil, like linseed. It is essential to keep the palette in good condition by applying an oily layer.
Lightweight
A wooden palette is lighter than glass or tear-off pallets, and can be easily held at the easel. Its thickness makes it rigid and stable. This stops it from bending when under pressure. It can also be sanded down and stained to give it colour. A wood palette is more durable than other types of materials and doesn't be damaged by fungi or insects. The wooden palettes are ideal for mixing alkyds and acrylics.
The most commonly used wooden palettes are made of either pine or maple. Both of these woods can resist warping and crazing. It is essential to select one that has been treated in order to prevent insects or fungi. This is essential to the durability of the wooden palette. Furthermore the surface of a quality wooden palette must be smooth and evenly sanded. It should also have a low level of moisture, which can reduce the possibility of paints becoming damaged or wrinkling.
Another advantage of a wooden palette is that it is easy to keep clean. The painter can wipe down the palette after each painting session using dry lubricant to condition it. Linseed oil makes a great choice because it's inexpensive and easily available. It also has a quick drying time.
The natural brown of wooden palettes is ideal for mixing colors because it is similar to the dominant color of the canvas. This can help to prevent the impression that the colors appear as being darker or lighter than they actually are. Vermeer used the typical wooden palette. In his inventory of 1676 it is noted that "tweeschilders eesels" (two easels for painters) and "drye paletten" (3 wooden palettes) were present. In Pictura, Frans van Meieris painted a Vermeer style palette and Roger de Piles suggested that painters lay out flesh tones on a wooden palette that ranged from light to dark.
Sturdy
Artists have been using wooden palettes for centuries due to the fact that they're sturdy and durable. They are lighter than glass or tear-off pallets and more rigid than paper palettes. This makes them easier to use and handle while painting. They also make an excellent choice for mixing oil paints and alkyds. It is essential to choose an alkyd palette made of wood of good quality that has been treated. This process kills bugs and fungi that can damage the palette.
A good quality wooden palette is well-constructed and smooth, making it easy for your brushes to glide across. It should be sprayed with a drying oil that protects the wood from water and solvent damage, and helps maintain its shape. You can purchase ready-to-use, pre-finished palettes or make your own from raw wood. If you are using a wooden palette, make sure you clean it each time you paint. Paint that is wet on a wooden palette could cause it to crack or warp over time.
Wooden Palettes were among the first mixing surfaces that were used for oil paints. They're still a favorite choice for many artists. They're light and sturdy, and they can hold large quantities of paint without breaking. They are ideal for mixing thick paints like alkyds, acrylics, and other heavy-bodied ones.
In pallet buying , the common palette with a hole to accommodate the thumb had replaced the earlier rectangular model that had a handle. The artist held the palette using his thumb inside the hole, which allowed him to free his other fingers for holding brushes and the mahlstick.
Woods treated with heat, such as spruce and other hardwoods are used in the creation of a high-quality palette. This will eliminate any bugs or fungi. The treatment of wood with heat can also make it harder to scratch or sand the surface of the palette. After years of use, a well-used and conditioned wooden pallet will have a smooth, glass-like surface. This is due to the build-up of thin layers of dried oils that allow the surface retain its shape.
Easy to clean
A wood palette will give you an easy-to-clean, smooth palette that will last many years. This kind of palette is popular with oil painters and will not break or shatter as a glass one. You can buy a wooden pallet that has been sealed or you can make it yourself. You'll need boiling Linseed Oil purchased from a hardware store. Nitrile gloves, and high-quality paper towels or rags. The process of sealing a palette with drying oil fills in the tiny gaps in the wood and creates an even surface that will improve with each painting that you do.
After you have coated your palette with oil after you have oiled it, you must refresh the surface after each painting session. This is important because it will keep your paints in a smooth and even mix on the palette, and also protect your hands from solvents. Begin by lightly sanding your palette using 180-grit paper. This will open the grain of the wood which allows it to absorb oil more easily. Next pour a pool of linseed oil onto your palette and then use a rag to wipe it evenly over the entire surface. Allow the oil to dry for one or two days.
Once your palette is dry, you can use a paper towel to wipe it off and if you have any leftover paint just a tiny OMS on the rag will get rid of it. Do not use anything sharp to scrape off the dried paint. This will cause damage to your pallet.
If you need to scrape dried paint from your palette, it is recommended to employ a soft brush rather than a knife. If you scrape it too hard, you will splinter the wood and ruin your palette.
Aesthetically pleasing
A wooden palette is a beautiful and sturdy mixing surface. It makes you feel like an artist. It can be used for oil paints as well as alkyds and acrylics. Its smooth surface is easy to clean and glides effortlessly over the brush when mixing and pick up paint. Wooden palettes are also light and come in a variety of sizes to fit your hands. They are available in a variety of styles and finishes to meet your preferences.
The wooden palette is one of the oldest mixing surfaces. It's been in use since art was created. The wood has a warm brown color that doesn't alter the hues of the paints. This is important since the perception of colors is influenced by the dominant tone which they are mixed. A wooden palette can also help you see the hues of your paints as it has a mid value which shows the hues.
The earliest palettes were constructed of paper or tin foil, but the ones Vermeer used were probably wood. In a 1676 probate inventories two easels of painters were included along with three palettes. Vermeer's contemporary Frans van Mieris is seen using the same kind of palette in an allegorical painting depicting Pictura. A traditional wooden oil painting palette is designed with a thumb hole which is used to support it. the other fingers are used to hold brushes as well as maulsticks for stabilizing the hand while painting.
After a cleansing session After a cleaning session, clean the wood's surface palette with drying oils - linseed or other -to keep it in good condition for the next time you work with it. This will fill the pores in the wood grain and create an easier surface for your brushes. Over time an oil-based palette will develop a gorgeous patina that adds to its appeal.