Key Takeaways:
- Discover the top choices for artists palettes across various mediums including watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting.
- Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of different palette materials such as wood, plastic, and glass.
- Understand the importance of palette selection in maintaining the quality and longevity of your paints.
Understanding the Artist's Palette
An artist's palette is more than just a tool; it's the surface where creativity blends with color to bring art to life. Whether you're a watercolor artist, an acrylic painter, or an oil painting enthusiast, the right palette can make all the difference. From wooden palettes to plastic palettes, each type offers unique benefits that cater to different painting styles and preferences.
Wooden Palettes: A Classic Choice
Wooden palettes are a timeless choice for many artists. The traditional flat surface with a thumb hole is iconic and provides a comfortable grip for hours of painting. Wooden palettes are durable and can be a pleasure to use, especially for oil painters who value the heft and balance they provide. However, they require regular maintenance to prevent the absorption of oil paints and to keep the mixing surface smooth.
Plastic Palettes: Lightweight and Affordable
Plastic palettes are the go-to for many acrylic painters and watercolor artists due to their affordability and lightweight design. They come in various shapes and sizes, including the popular white plastic palette, which makes mixing colors easier to see. Plastic palettes are easy to clean and often come with airtight lids to keep paints moist during breaks in a painting session.
Glass Palettes: A Clear Advantage
Glass palettes are favored by artists who appreciate a sturdy, easy-to-clean surface. Tempered glass palettes are specially treated to resist breaking and provide a smooth, flat surface for mixing paints. The clear or frosted glass also allows for a pure white porcelain backdrop, which is ideal for seeing the true color of the paint.
Porcelain Palettes: Elegance in Mixing
Porcelain palettes offer a luxurious option for artists. Their weight and the cool surface are perfect for keeping watercolor paints moist and blending colors seamlessly. The pure white porcelain surface is excellent for getting accurate color readings, and these palettes often come with mixing trays for added convenience.
Disposable Paper Palettes: The Cheapest Option
For artists who prefer a quick and easy cleanup, disposable paper palettes are the best choice. The Canson XL disposable palette, for example, allows acrylic artists and oil painters to simply tear off the top sheet and dispose of it after a painting session. This is the cheapest option and an added bonus for those who don't want to spend time cleaning.
Stay Wet Palettes: Keeping Paints Moist
Stay wet palettes are a revolutionary tool for acrylic painters. These palettes are designed to keep acrylics moist for extended periods, which is crucial for artists who work slowly or in dry climates. The palette consists of a sponge and special palette paper that keeps the paint workable, preventing it from drying out.
Empty Watercolor Palette Tins: Customizable and Compact
Empty watercolor palette tins are perfect for watercolor artists who like to create a custom palette inside a portable container. These tins often come with mixing trays and can hold a variety of watercolor pans, making them ideal for plein air painting or travel.
Covered Palettes: Protection for Your Paint
Covered palettes, such as those with an airtight lid, are essential for keeping your paints protected from dust and drying out. They are particularly useful for watercolor palettes and acrylic painters who need to keep their paints moist between painting sessions.
Mixing Trays: Essential for Color Blending
Mixing trays are an integral part of many palettes, especially porcelain and plastic palettes. They provide separate areas for mixing colors, which is particularly useful for watercolor painting where keeping paints moist is crucial.
Art Supplies: Choosing the Right Palette
When selecting art supplies, the best palette for your needs depends on the medium you use and your personal preferences. Whether you prefer a wooden palette with a thumb hole for a traditional feel or a plastic palette with an airtight lid for modern convenience, there's a palette out there for every artist.
Wet Paint vs. Dry Paint: Palette Considerations
The state of your paint—wet or dry—can influence your choice of palette. Watercolor artists need palettes that keep paints moist, while oil painters might prefer a palette that allows for the mixing of wet paint without the risk of it running. Acrylic artists must consider how quickly acrylics dry when choosing their palette.
Mixing Colors: The Heart of Painting
At the heart of painting lies the art of mixing colors. A good palette provides a flat surface for artists to mix colors to their desired hue and saturation. Whether you're using a glass palette for its clarity or a covered palette to keep your mixes fresh, the quality of your palette can impact the final outcome of your artwork.
The Old Masters' Choice: Traditional Palettes
The old masters often used wooden palettes, and for good reason. The feel of a wooden palette, its weight, and the way oil paints blend on its surface are all factors that contribute to the traditional painting experience. For those looking to emulate the techniques of the old masters, a well-crafted wooden palette is a must-have.
Acrylics and Palette Selection
For acrylic artists, the selection of a palette is particularly important due to the fast-drying nature of acrylics. Options like stay wet palettes and palette paper can help extend the workability of acrylic paints, making them indispensable tools for acrylic painting.
5 of the Best Artists Palettes on Amazon
We hope you find your next awesome thing from the list below! Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to fiddle with, but all opinions in this article are our own. Oh, and FYI — AnnesAnalytics may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy finding your next awesome thing!
MEEDEN Studio Ceramic Paint Palette
Large Porcelain Watercolor Palette for Artists Painting, Acrylic Gouache Watercolor Mixing Tray, 17-Well 13 by 10 Inch-Without a Lid
Crafted from high-quality, glazed porcelain, this paint palette is designed to withstand the test of time. Its robust construction ensures it can handle frequent use, making it a staple for any artist's toolkit. The pure white porcelain not only gives it a classic look but also allows the true vibrancy of your paint colors to shine through, enhancing your mixing accuracy.
The palette features an impressive 17 paint wells along its perimeter, providing artists with extensive room to organize a wide spectrum of colors. At the center, two separate mixing areas are strategically placed to facilitate easy blending and prevent color contamination, keeping your hues pure and distinct.
Elevate your painting experience with this premium porcelain paint palette, designed for both amateur and professional artists who value quality and functionality.
Encouraging Review
"This is a nice, big, heavy, ceramic palette with a lid. I especially like the lid--there are similar ones for more money that don't come with a lid. Certainly not for travel or carrying around, but ideal for my work table at home. Big mixing area, cleans without staining." Amazon Review by Mary H.
GenCrafts Watercolor Paint Palette with Bonus Paper Pad
Includes 48 Premium Colors - 2 Refillable Water Blending Brush Pens - 15 Sheets of Water Color Paper - Portable Painting
Unleash your creativity with this Premium Watercolor Paint Set, featuring an extensive palette of 48 vibrant colors. Each hue is formulated with high-quality, rich pigments that ensure longevity and brilliance in every stroke. Ideal for artists and hobbyists alike, these watercolor paints are designed for effortless mixing and blending, allowing you to achieve the perfect shade and texture for all your projects. Elevate your artwork with the smooth application and exceptional coverage of our top-tier watercolor collection.
Encouraging Review
"I can'r recall if I bought these or someone bought them as a gift, but this has been a long running and reliable set. The colors are vibrant and have a great texture and it's easy to pack for an adventure." Amazon Review by James
Mr. Pen- Wooden Paint Palette, 2 Pack
Artist Palette, Painting Palette, Oil Paint Palette, Wood Paint Palette
Enhance your artistic endeavors with our premium Wood Painting Palettes, available in a convenient 2-pack set. Each palette measures a generous 14 inches by 10 inches, providing ample space for mixing and blending colors. Designed with an oval shape and a large thumb hole, these palettes are crafted to accommodate both left and right-handed artists, ensuring comfort during extended painting sessions.
Encouraging Review
"Easy to clean. I do recommend sealing if you like the natural wood. It works great 😃."
Tamaki 2 Pack 11.8 x 7.9 Inch Acrylic Paint Palette with Thumb Hole
Clear Paint Pallet, Easy Clean Non-Stick Artist Pallet for Oil Watercolor Craft DIY Art Painting Palette
This artist's palette is crafted from premium, transparent acrylic, ensuring a product that is not only safe and non-toxic but also boasts a smooth surface and edges for a comfortable grip. The easy-to-clean and reusable nature of this palette make it a practical choice for artists of all levels. Its user-friendly design simplifies the creative process, allowing you to focus on unleashing your artistic potential.
Encouraging Review
"When I first received these, I thought they were the wrong color then I realized that there was a protective film on them to prevent scratches. They work great as paint pallets and are easy to use and clean (we use acrylic paint). Amazon Review by J. Stevens
Discover the ultimate solution for your painting needs with our top-tier round plastic palettes, featuring 10 wells and a central mixing reservoir. These palettes are expertly crafted to cater to artists who prioritize efficiency and organization in their color mixing process. The central reservoir is perfect for blending shades, while the surrounding 10 wells hold a variety of colors, making these palettes the best choice for artists seeking to streamline their creative workflow. Elevate your painting experience with these versatile and durable plastic palettes, designed to keep your colors distinct and accessible.
Encouraging Review
"A four pack is a great deal. My wife is a crafter and this fits the bill. Can have more than one paint craft going at the same time." Amazon Review by Clayton Savage
Summary
Choosing the best artists palette is crucial for any painter, as it affects the ease of paint mixing, the longevity of paints, and the overall painting experience. From the classic feel of wooden palettes to the modern convenience of plastic palettes with airtight lids, each type of palette serves a specific purpose and caters to different painting styles. Whether you're a watercolor artist, an acrylic painter, or an oil painting aficionado, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each palette material will help you make an informed decision that enhances your art-making process.
FAQ Section
Q: What is the best type of palette for acrylic painting? A: For acrylic painting, many artists prefer stay wet palettes or plastic palettes with airtight lids to keep the paints moist and workable for longer periods.
Q: Can I use the same palette for watercolor and acrylic paints? A: While you can use the same type of palette for both watercolor and acrylic paints, it's important to clean the palette thoroughly between uses to prevent cross-contamination of mediums.
Q: How do I maintain a wooden palette? A: To maintain a wooden palette, regularly clean it with a palette knife or solvent to remove excess paint. You can also apply a varnish or linseed oil to seal the wood and prevent it from absorbing paint.
Q: What is the best palette for painting? A: If you're working with oil paints, you're also using solvents, which can eat into the plastic of a plastic palette, and no one wants that. So, for oil painting, it's best to choose a glass, wooden or heavy-duty paper palette. The Mont Marte wood palette is flat, sturdy and large enough for mixing colors together.
Q: What do painters use as palettes? A: A palette is usually made of wood, plastic, ceramic, or other hard, inert, nonporous material, and can vary greatly in size and shape. The most commonly known type of painter's palette is made of a thin wood board designed to be held in the artist's hand and rest on the artist's arm.
Q: What's an artist palette called? A: A paint palette is also commonly referred to as an artist's palette.
Q: What does an artist palette look like? A: An oil painting palette is a stiff, level surface that an artist uses to arrange and mix paints on. Any flat surface may be used for one; however, those made from hard, inert, and non-porous material make the best palettes. These would include wood, plastic, or wax paper. Palettes can also vary in size and shape.
Q: Do artists clean their palettes? A: At the end of a painting session, if you know you won't be back to paint for a few days, you should clean your whole palette so it is ready for next time. Leaving paint to harden on a wooden palette can damage it as you will need to do some heavy scraping and then you may need to sand and refinish the palette.
Q: How do you keep paint from drying out on a palette? A: You either keep the colours in an airtight container or keep the paints in a stay-wet palette that 'feeds' the paint more water. The stay-wet palette consists of two layers : An absorbent paper layer that is soaked with water – acting as a water reservoir.
Q: What is the order of paint on a palette? A: The most common way to lay out ones palette is from light to dark; whites, yellows, reds, browns, blues, blacks. Squeeze your paint at the edge of the palette so you have access to the largest area. Similarly spread your colours out around the palette.