The palette, an essential tool in the art of oil painting, serves not only as a physical platform for mixing paints but also symbolically represents the painter's personal field of creativity. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various aspects of palettes, including their history, types, materials, setup, and maintenance, offering insights for both novice and experienced artists.

Historical Context of Painting Palettes

The earliest known palettes date back to the ancient Egyptians, around 5000 BCE. These were not palettes in the modern sense but were stones or ceramic slabs used for grinding and mixing mineral pigments to create colours for decorative cosmetics and mural paintings. The design was typically simple, flat, and oval, optimized for portability and practical use. The famous Narmer Palette, for instance, is a ceremonial engraving on a slate tablet from the 31st century BCE, underscoring the dual utility and ceremonial role of palettes in ancient times.

Palette of King Narmer, from Hierakonpolis, Egypt, Predynastic, c. 3000–2920 B.C.E., slate, 2′ 1″ high (Egyptian Museum, Cairo). Image from https://smarthistory.org/palette-of-king-narmer/

Moving into the Middle Ages, the materials and shapes of palettes continued to evolve with artistic techniques. Manuscript illuminators of this era typically used a limited range of pigments, and their palettes were often makeshift, utilizing whatever materials were at hand, such as wood, stone, or ceramic tiles. The focus was primarily on utility rather than the ergonomics or the efficiency of the tool.

The true transformation in the design and use of the palette came with the Renaissance, a period that heralded new techniques and theories in painting, including the broader use of oil paints. The introduction of oil paints required palettes that could facilitate more complex colour mixing and blending, pivotal for achieving the lifelike textures and depth that characterized Renaissance art.

As oil painting techniques became increasingly refined, the palette itself became a critical tool for artists. The Renaissance palette was typically made of wood, a material chosen for its availability, workability, and durability. These palettes were often oval or kidney-shaped, designed to be held in the artist's hand using a thumb hole for stability, allowing easy access to a broad surface for mixing paints.

Frans Van Mieris, *Pictura* (An Allegory of Painting), 1661. Oil on copper. Getty Collection, LA. Image from: http://www.essentialvermeer.com/palette/wooden_palette.html.

Artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Velázquez not only advanced the technique of oil painting but also the tools associated with it, including the palette. For example, Rembrandt’s works demonstrate a mastery of shadow and light, achievable only through meticulous mixing of pigments. The palette, therefore, was not merely a tool but a critical extension of the artist’s hand, influencing how effectively colours could be blended and applied to the canvas.

The material of the palette also had a profound impact on the mixing properties of the pigments. Wood palettes were popular for their ease of use and the warm patina they developed over time, which some believed helped in judging the colour mixtures more effectively. However, wood also had its drawbacks, such as the absorption of oils, which could alter the behavior of the paints unless properly sealed and maintained.

By contrast, during the 17th century and onward, as artists experimented more freely with techniques and materials, alternatives like glass and porcelain began to appear. These materials offered smoother surfaces that were easier to clean and did not react with the oil paints, allowing for purer colour mixing and faster colour assessment.

Types of Palettes

The choice of palette can significantly influence the technique and outcome of an oil painting. This section expands on the various types of palettes available to artists, each with unique properties that cater to different painting needs and preferences.

1. Traditional Wooden Palettes

Palette used by Charles F. Goldie for the painting "The Arrival of the Maoris" 1901 (exhibited 1899.) Image from Wikimedia Commons.

Traditional wooden palettes remain popular among artists for their balance of weight, durability, and aesthetics. Typically made from hardwoods like walnut, cherry, or mahogany, these palettes are prized not only for their resistance to solvents and oils but also for their natural grain, which adds a tactile quality to the painting experience. The wood is often sealed with linseed oil or varnish to enhance durability and to prevent the absorption of pigments and solvents.

The design of wooden palettes usually features an ergonomic kidney shape with a thumb hole, which allows the artist to hold the palette comfortably for hours. This shape also provides a large surface area for mixing, making it ideal for artists who work with a wide range of colours. Over time, these palettes develop a patina from the blended colours, which many artists find aesthetically pleasing and even useful for gauging new colour mixes.

2. Glass Palettes

Rhiannon Piper’s Palette. Image from myself.

Glass palettes offer a level of precision and cleanliness that is unmatched by porous materials. Made from tempered glass, these palettes are incredibly durable and resistant to scratching. The non-porous surface ensures that no oils or solvents are absorbed, maintaining the purity of colours. The clear or frosted glass also allows for a neutral background against which colours can be accurately assessed.

These palettes are particularly favored in studio settings where the cleanliness and long-lasting qualities are advantageous. Cleanup is straightforward, typically requiring only a scraper to remove the dried paint and a standard glass cleaner to restore the palette's pristine surface. The main drawback is the weight and the potential for breakage if not handled properly.

3. Disposable Palettes

JACKSON'S : ART ESSENTIALS : TEAR OFF PALETTE : 58GSM : 40 SHEETS : 9X12IN (APX.23X30CM). Image from https://www.jacksonsart.com/jackson-s-art-essentials-tear-off-palette-58gsm-40-sheets-9x12in-apx-23x30cm.

Disposable palettes are designed for convenience and efficiency, especially favored by artists who prefer a fast cleanup or those who travel. These palettes consist of a pad of disposable paper sheets, each coated to prevent the oil from soaking through. After a painting session, the top sheet can be torn off and discarded, revealing a clean sheet underneath ready for use.

This type of palette is particularly useful for quick studies, outdoor painting sessions, or educational settings where minimizing cleanup time and solvent use is crucial. However, the disposable nature of these palettes can make them less environmentally friendly, and the paper surface may not offer the same mixing qualities as more traditional, reusable surfaces.

4. Cardboard Palette

Meredith Dickson Art, Cardboard Palette. Image from https://www.artpal.com/meredithdickson.

Cardboard palettes are often used by artists who are looking for an absorbent surface that can help manage the oiliness of the paint. These palettes are typically made from a dense, laminated cardboard that can absorb excess binder, which can facilitate faster drying times and a different tactile quality to the paint application. They are lightweight and inexpensive, making them excellent for travel or short-term projects. However, their absorbent nature means they are not suitable for long-term use or for preserving leftover paint, and they need to be replaced more frequently than more durable materials.

Each type of palette serves distinct purposes and offers different advantages and drawbacks. Choosing the right palette depends on the artist's specific needs, such as the type of oil painting, the preferred workflow, and the value placed on factors like durability, cleanliness, and environmental impact.

Materials and Their Impact on Functionality

The functionality of a palette is largely influenced by its material composition. Each material comes with a set of properties that can affect everything from the mixing capability of the artist to the durability and longevity of the palette.

Wooden palettes have a historical charm and a natural feel that many artists find appealing. The most common woods used are walnut, mahogany, and beech, known for their grain density and minimal warping. However, wood is a porous material that can absorb oils and pigments, which can alter the freshness and purity of the colours being used.

To mitigate this, wooden palettes are often treated with a sealant such as linseed oil or varnish. This treatment fills the pores of the wood, creating a more impervious surface that helps prevent the absorption of oils and facilitates easier cleaning. Over time, however, even sealed wooden palettes develop a patina. This patina is not merely a visual marker but can influence the appearance of colours mixed on the surface, sometimes making it difficult for artists to judge the true colour of their mixtures accurately.

In contrast to wooden palettes, glass and acrylic palettes offer a completely non-porous surface, ensuring that no materials are absorbed into the palette itself. This results in a few key benefits: colours remain pure as there is no interaction with the material of the palette, and cleanup is simple, often requiring just a scraper or a wipe with a damp cloth.

Glass palettes are typically made from tempered glass for added durability, though they remain susceptible to breaking if dropped. Acrylic palettes, while less fragile, can be prone to scratching which over time might affect the smoothness of the surface. Both materials are heavier than wood, which can be a disadvantage for artists who prefer a lightweight palette for ease of handling during long painting sessions.

The non-absorptive nature of glass and acrylic also means that these palettes do not develop a patina, providing a consistently clear and clean surface for colour mixing. This can be particularly advantageous in a studio setting where precise colour matching is crucial. However, the smoothness of these surfaces can affect the feel of mixing paint, which might require some adjustment in technique compared to more textured surfaces like wood.

Disposable and cardboard palettes offer different functionality primarily oriented around convenience and portability. Made from paper or laminated cardboard, these palettes absorb excess oil, which can be beneficial for achieving a certain texture with the paint but also means that these materials are not reusable long-term.

The primary advantage of disposable palettes is the ease of cleanup—once a session is complete, the top sheet can be removed and discarded, revealing a new clean surface underneath. This makes them ideal for quick sketches, educational environments, or outdoor painting where carrying minimal equipment is preferred. However, the environmental impact of frequent disposal is a consideration that might influence the choice of material.

Setting Up an Oil Painting Palette

An effectively organized oil painting palette can significantly streamline the painting process, enhancing both efficiency and creativity. The setup of a palette not only involves the strategic placement of colours but also considers the organization of mixing areas and the accessibility of mediums and solvents. Here, we delve into the nuances of each aspect of setting up an oil painting palette.

Colour Placement

The arrangement of colours on a palette is pivotal for seamless navigation and optimal mixing. Most artists adhere to a systematic placement strategy, which can vary depending on their training and personal preference. A common approach is to organize colours from light to dark. This method aligns with the way light interacts with the painting, allowing the artist to incrementally deepen the tone as they move across the palette. Another popular method involves arranging colours according to the colour wheel—grouping warm colours together and cool colours together, which can aid in creating harmonious colour transitions and contrasts.

This systematic placement does more than just improve speed and precision during the painting process. It also helps in maintaining cognitive flow, reducing the mental effort required to locate and mix colours, thereby allowing the artist to focus more on the creative aspects of painting.

Mixing Area

Central to the functionality of a palette is its mixing area. Typically, artists reserve the center or a large portion of the palette for this purpose. This space is crucial as it allows for the free blending of colours without the risk of contaminating the pure pigments arranged around the perimeter of the palette.

The size and shape of the mixing area can depend on the artist's style and the complexity of the work. For instance, large, expansive works might require more extensive mixing areas to accommodate broader colour variations and larger quantities of paint mixtures. Maintaining a clear and spacious mixing area helps in creating clean, vibrant colours and is essential for achieving the desired effects in the artwork.

Mediums and Solvents

Mediums and solvents play crucial roles in oil painting, affecting everything from the texture and drying time of the paint to its transparency and gloss. Because these substances are used frequently throughout the painting process, their placement on the palette is important for maintaining an efficient workflow.

While some artists prefer to keep mediums and solvents on a separate side table to prevent any accidental mixing with the paints, others find it advantageous to have them closer at hand. For this reason, many palettes are designed with integrated wells or spaces specifically for containers of mediums and solvents. These built-in features can greatly enhance convenience, ensuring these essential materials are readily accessible without cluttering the workspace.

Moreover, when setting up these containers, care should be taken to place them in a manner that prevents any spillage or dripping onto the working area of the palette. Placing solvents and mediums in a corner of the palette or in a designated holder attached to the palette can mitigate this risk, allowing for a smoother, uninterrupted painting experience.

Maintenance and Care of Palettes

Cleaning

The approach to cleaning a palette largely depends on the material from which it is made. Ensuring thorough and appropriate cleaning not only maintains the palette's integrity but also impacts the painter's ability to produce uncontaminated, vibrant colours in their artwork.

Wooden palettes: Wooden palettes require careful handling due to their porous nature. To clean a wooden palette, start by wiping away any excess paint using a soft rag or paper towel. Next, use a palette knife to gently scrape off the residual paint. It is important to use the knife gently to avoid gouging the wood, which could create uneven surfaces and make future cleanings more difficult. For paint that is more stubborn or has dried slightly, applying a small amount of linseed oil can help in loosening the paint. If necessary, a mild solvent may also be used, but it should be applied sparingly to prevent the solvent from soaking into the wood and breaking down its fibers over time. After removing the paint, the palette should be wiped down with a clean, dry cloth to remove any oily residue.
Glass and acrylic palettes: Glass and acrylic palettes offer the advantage of being non-porous, which simplifies the cleaning process. To clean these palettes, a razor blade or a metal scraper can be used to lift and peel away dried paint. This should be done carefully to avoid scratching the surface, especially with acrylic palettes that are more susceptible to scratches than glass. After scraping, the palette should be washed with warm, soapy water to remove any leftover paint residues. A soft sponge can be used to gently scrub the surface. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft towel to prevent water spots, especially on glass palettes, which can hinder the clarity of the mixing surface if not properly maintained.

Preservation

Preserving a palette not only involves regular cleaning but also periodic maintenance to ensure its longevity and functionality.

Wooden palettes: Wood is naturally susceptible to drying out and cracking, particularly in environments with low humidity or fluctuating temperatures. To preserve a wooden palette, it is advisable to treat it periodically with linseed oil. This treatment helps replenish the natural oils in the wood, keeping it supple and preventing cracks. The oil also enhances the wood's natural grain and creates a more effective barrier against paint absorption. This maintenance should be done sparingly, however, as excessive oil can make the surface overly slick, affecting paint handling.
Glass and acrylic palettes: While glass and acrylic palettes do not require the same type of conditioning as wooden palettes, they do need careful handling to avoid breakage. These palettes should be stored in a safe place where they are not likely to be knocked over or subjected to heavy weights. For acrylic palettes, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight can prevent warping and extend their usable life.

So…what do I use?

Choosing the right palette for oil painting is a crucial decision that can significantly impact an artist's workflow and overall experience with the medium. In my case, after several years and experiments with different materials, I have settled on using a glass palette for its distinct advantages, especially in terms of cleanliness and colour management.

My current setup involves a glass palette, which occupies a central place in my painting process. I utilize approximately two-thirds of the palette's surface area to lay out my paints. This arrangement suits my method of pre-mixing colours extensively with a palette knife before applying them to the canvas. By doing so, I am able to achieve the precise colour nuances and blends that I desire directly on the palette. Consequently, the need for mixing spaces on the palette itself is minimal.

The remaining space on my palette is reserved for a small area where I occasionally brush off excess paint from my brush. This practice helps in maintaining the purity of colours throughout the painting process, ensuring that no unintended mixing occurs.

My journey through different palette materials began with cardboard when I first started with oil paints. Cardboard served as an economical and effective solution while I was still learning the ropes of oil painting and transitioning from acrylics. One of the primary challenges during this transition was managing the inherently slower drying times of oil paints compared to acrylics. I experimented with various methods to accelerate the drying process to mirror the experience of using acrylics more closely.

However, as I gained more experience and confidence with oil paints, I shifted to using glass palettes. This transition was driven by the need for a more robust and easier-to-clean option. Glass has proved to be superior in both respects, facilitating a cleaner and more controlled mixing of paints. The smooth surface of the glass palette does not absorb paint or medium, which not only makes cleanup a breeze but also preserves the vibrancy and true colour of the paints.

While the benefits of using a glass palette are numerous, one practical issue I've encountered is its portability and handling. Unlike traditional wooden palettes, which often feature a thumb hole for easy holding, a standard glass palette lacks these ergonomic features. This absence can make handling the palette a bit cumbersome, especially during longer painting sessions. However, this minor inconvenience has not dissuaded me from using glass, although I am on the lookout for a glass palette that incorporates a thumb hole to enhance ease of use.

Overall, my preference for a glass palette is based on years of experimentation and understanding what works best for my artistic style and technique. Despite the minor handling issue, the benefits—particularly in terms of ease of cleaning and colour management—far outweigh this drawback. As every artist's journey and preferences are unique, it's essential to experiment with different types of palettes to find what best suits your individual needs and style.

Message from author: Stay tuned and keep an eye on this space—I have an exciting show coming up soon that I've been tirelessly working on, especially on the marketing front! See you all next week.

Palettes: A Comprehensive Guide to Oil Painting