https://melgaardlehmann.livejournal.com/profile Why Use a Wooden Palette For Oil Painting? For oil painting wooden palettes are utilized. They are light and easy to clean. They also look beautiful. Many paintings of artists in their work have survived. Some of these depict a wooden pallet like the one Vermeer used. To prepare a palette made of wood, wipe it with drying oils such as linseed or safflower. It is essential to keep the palette in good shape by applying an oily layer. Lightweight A wooden palette is lighter than glass or tear-off pallets, and can be easily positioned on the easel. The thickness of the wood makes it strong and solid. This keeps it from bending under pressure. It can also be sanded and stained to add color. A wood palette is more durable and resistant to insects and fungi than other materials. Palettes made of wood are also great for mixing alkyds and acrylics. of wooden palette is made of pine or maple both of which are able to resist cracking and warping. It is important to choose one that has been treated to keep fungi or insects. This is crucial to the durability and quality of a wooden pallet. Furthermore, the surface of a quality wooden palette must be smooth and evenly sanded. It should also have a low level of moisture, which will reduce the possibility of paints becoming damaged or wrinkling. Another advantage of a wooden palette is that it is easy to keep clean. After each painting session, artist can wipe the palette with drying oil to condition it for next time. Linseed oil is a good choice because it is inexpensive easily available and quick drying. The natural brown tone of a wood palette is ideal to mix colors because it is not that different to the dominant color of the canvas. This helps avoid the impression that the colors appear as being lighter or darker than they actually are. Vermeer used the typical wooden palette. In an inventory from 1676 the inventory mentions that "tweeschilders eesels" (two easels for painting) a