Thank you for your report!
We have received your report and it is currently under investigation by a forum moderator.
Mucky palette....
Welcome to the forum.
Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.
Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.
Hang on Studio Wall
This is a Studio member-only feature!
Join our Studio membership and save your favourite Painters Online content, from gallery artwork to step-by-step guides, to your own online mood boards. Create your go-to place for inspiration and learning. Plus, members can also enjoy a range of exciting features including monthly art videos and a digital magazine library.
If you are already a Studio member, simply login to your account.
Not a Studio member? Why not try our free 30-day trial - no commitment, no credit card required
Message
Posted
I loved my white Formica palette bought from an art shop that was closing down years ago. After 25 years of scrubbing clean I completely wore through the surface and had to finally admit that it was no longer fit for purpose. I then invested in one of the small New Wave palettes. I was sceptical about the shape, but it really does work, and it’s easy to keep clean too.
A throw away comment that I made one day that “I could do with a bigger one” , resulted in my wife buying me one of the big expensive ones for my birthday, who’s a lucky boy!
I also use a mahogany one with my French box easel which I keep beautiful oiled.
Posted
When I went to my weekly class, I used disposable paper pallets for oil paints, as it saved the difficulty of packing it up to bring it home. For acrylic, I use a stay wet pallet to keep the paint usable for longer. I've totally ruined a beautiful wooden pallet with oil paint, by not cleaning it quick enough. I use an array of plastic tubs and lids for oil and acrylic too and like using ceramic white plates as they clean up quickly and easily. I had a phase of using a non-stick bun baking sheet too which was very hand for various shades of grey. I have yet to use an old mirror, but will get round to using this.
Posted
Re your mention of Bob Ross, Robert, I’ve watched the series of Museums in Quarantine this week, which was very good, but BR was on before it, and I found myself watching him (only for minutes please note!) for the first time ever. Fascinating in its awfulness! How did he ever become a big name?
Back to palettes, I feel a happy half hour coming on with Jacksons website (other suppliers available).....
Posted
It wouldn’t have been too bad if his style had died with him! But academies (I use the term loosely) sprang up, all producing thousands of BR clones to go out and teach his.style to the world!
They all produced identical work, twee unrealistic paintings of snow-capped mountains, leading down to pine forests with log cabins, need I go on...
Posted
Robert, it’s a very interesting topic and I’m sure there are going to be some diverse responses.
I’m a bit of a ‘clean freak’ when comes to my palette. Since I started using oils, I’ve used glass although it’s a toughened glass chopping board in the studio and the pochade came with a glass palette. I generally just stick some mid-grey paper under them to achieve a neutral surface for mixing.
At the end of each day/session I scrape off the paint, or if it’s a large blob it goes in the freezer, and wipe down the glass. I predominantly use water miscible oils so a quick spray with water and a wipe has the palette ready for the next session. Cleaning up only takes about 5mins so I don’t find it much of a chore.
It’s interesting to hear what others use as a palette and the various options available.
Posted
Like you Ron, I use a glass palette. One that I made years ago, just ordinary glass securely mounted on a piece of 20mm thick fibre board which has an off white surface. Super easy to clean even if left uncleaned for a few days (which I rarely do 😊). One big drawback is that it's obviously not portable, problem to some but not to me, nowadays I'm just to damned old to sit out painting in the usual cold and wet Welsh weather.
Posted
One of my best investments was the New Wave glass palette a few years ago, it’s made from tempered glass and tinted a mid grey tone. It’s so easy to clean and I also use it for monoprinting, and to roll ink on.....very versatile.
I also bought the Masterson sealed box which the palette fits in perfectly. No more cling film over palettes to stop it getting all over me, the car and everywhere else when I go to art class and plein air. It slides in to my art bag and gives me a free hand to carry wet canvases etc. saves me half a dozen trips back to the car.
It also keeps the paint workable for longer.
Posted
All my palettes, studio and plein air, are MDF board primed and painted with household mid grey undercoat and finished with a couple of coats of matt clear varnish. Seem to work okay and are inexpensive and long lasting. I tend to clear the palette in the studio after a few days when there is little paint on it and rubdown with white spirit. One of my plein air pochade boxes allows the lid to close without touching the paint on the palette so paint can be retained for further use. Regrettably my larger outdoor box doesn't allow this so can be more wasteful.