Why Use a Wooden Palette For Oil Painting?
Traditionally, wooden palettes have been used to paint oil. They are lightweight and easy to clean. They also look beautiful.
Many images of painters in action have survived. Some depict wooden pallets similar to the one that Vermeer used.
To prepare a palette made of wood clean it with drying oils like safflower or linseed. It is important to keep the palette in good working order by applying a thin layer of oil.
Lightweight
A wooden palette is lighter than glass or tear-off pallets, and is able to be held easily at the easel. Its thickness makes it rigid and stable. This stops it from bending under pressure. In addition, it can be stained and sanded to add colour. A wood palette is also more durable than other kinds of materials and does not be damaged by fungi or insects. Wooden palettes are also ideal for mixing alkyds and acrylics.
The most commonly used wooden palettes are made of either pine or maple. Both of these woods are resistant to warping and crazing. However, it is essential to select the kind of wood that has been treated with heat to stop the growth of fungi and insects. This is essential to the long-term durability of the wooden palette. A quality wooden palette's surface must be smooth and well-finished. It should also have a low moisture content which will minimize the chance of wrinkling or damage to paints.
A wooden palette comes with a great feature: it's easy to clean. Painters can clean the palette after each painting session using an oil that is drying to maintain it. Linseed oil is an excellent choice because it is inexpensive, readily available and quick-drying.
The natural brown tone of a wood palette is perfect to mix colors because it isn't too different 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 employed a standard wooden palette, and in his 1676 probate inventory, there's mention of "twee schilders drye paletten" (two easels for painting and three wooden palettes). In Pictura, Frans van Meieris painted a Vermeer style palette and Roger de Piles suggested that artists paint flesh tones on a wooden palette from light to dark.
Sturdy
Artists have used wooden palettes for ages because they're sturdy and durable. They are lighter than glass or tear-off pallets, and more sturdy than paper palettes. This makes them easier to use and handle while painting. They are also ideal for mixing oil paints and alkyds. But, it's essential to choose a quality wooden palette that has been heat-treated. This process kills insects and fungi that could cause damage to the palette.
A high-quality wooden palette is made well and smooth, making it easy for your brushes to glide across. It should be finished with a drying oil to protect the wood from solvent and water damage and to help it keep its shape. You can find pre-finished, ready-to-use palettes or create your own using raw wood. If you're using a wood palette, be sure to clean it after every painting session. The paint that is left wet on a palette could cause it to warp or crack it over time.
Wooden Palettes are still popular among artists. They were the first mixing surfaces to be used to mix oil paints. They are lightweight and sturdy, and they can hold large quantities of paint without breaking. buy pallets near me are also ideal for mixing acrylics, alkyds, and any other thick-bodied paints.
Vermeer's palettes had replaced the older rectangular ones with handles. The thumb was used to support the palette which allowed the artist to use the rest of his fingers to use brushes and the mahlstick.
Heat-treated hardwoods such as spruce and other hardwoods are used in the creation of an excellent palette. This is a way to eliminate any fungi or bugs. The heat treatment of wood makes it more difficult to scratch or sand its surface. A well-used and maintained wooden palette will develop an even, glass-like appearance after many years of use. This is due to a buildup of thin layers of dried oil that helps the surface retain its shape.
Easy to clean
A wood palette will give you a smooth, easy-to-clean palette that lasts for many years. This type of pallet is a favorite among oil artists because it doesn't chip or shatter like glass palettes. You can purchase a wood palette pre-oiled or seal it yourself. To seal it, you'll need boiled linseed oil from the hardware store, nitrile gloves and high-quality paper towels or rags (if it has bits, don't use it). Sealing a palette using drying oil will fill in the tiny gaps and smooth the surface. This will get better with each painting.
Once your palette is cleaned, you'll need to condition it following every painting session. This is crucial because it keeps your paints in a smooth and even mix on the palette and protect your hands from solvents. Begin by lightly sanding your palette with 180-grit paper. This will help open up the wood grain and allow it to absorb oil more easily. Place a pool of linseed on the palette, and then use a rag or a cloth to wipe it over the entire surface. Then let the oil dry for a few days.
After your palette has dried you can use a paper towel to wipe it clean and if you have any leftover paint some OMS on the rag will get rid of it. It is not recommended to use any sharp object to scrape off the dried paint. This could cause damage and scratching to your palette.
If you have to scrape dried paint off your palette, it is best to employ a soft brush instead of cutting. If you scrape too hard, you could harm your palette.
Aesthetically pleasing
A wooden palette is a stylish and durable mixing surface that lets you feel like an artist. It can be used with oil paints, acrylics, and alkyds. Its smooth surface is easy to clean and glides easily across the brush when you pick up and mix paint. Wooden palettes are also light and come in various sizes to fit your hands. They come in a variety of styles and finishes.
Palettes made of wood have been in use as long as art itself and are one of the oldest mixing surfaces. They have natural warm brown tones that doesn't change the colors of the paints on it. This is crucial because the predominant tone determines the perception of color. A wooden palette can also help you to see the color values of your paints as it has a mid-value that shows the hues against.
The earliest palettes were constructed from tin foil or paper, but the ones Vermeer used were probably made of wood. In a 1676 probate inventories, two painters easels were listed, along with three palettes. Vermeer's contemporary Frans van Mieris can be seen using the same type of palette in an allegorical painting of Pictura. A traditional wooden oil painting palette is made with a thumb hole which is used to support it. the other fingers are used to hold brushes and a maulstick for steadying the hand while painting.
After a clean-up, wipe the surface of a wooden palette with dry oils - such as linseed or another- to keep it conditioned for the next time you will use it. This will fill the tiny pores of the grain of the wood and create a smooth surface that is much easier for brushes to work on. Over time a well-oiled palette will develop a gorgeous patina, which adds to its character.