A Guide to Different Types of Acrylic Paint Palettes
Acrylic painting is a versatile and dynamic art form that allows artists to express their creativity on various surfaces. One of the essential tools for acrylic painters is the paint palette, a surface where artists mix and blend colours to achieve the desired shades and tones. In this blog post, we'll delve into the different types of acrylic paint palettes available, each catering to specific preferences and artistic needs.
Traditional Wooden Palettes
Wooden palettes are a staple in the art world. They are durable, easy to clean, and provide a neutral background for color mixing. Wooden palettes often come in neutral wood tones, allowing artists to better gauge color accuracy without any interference from the palette's color.
RECOMMENDED: JAKAR VARNISHED RECTANGULAR WALNUT PALETTE : 30X40CM
Plastic Palettes
Plastic palettes are popular for their lightweight nature, making them ideal for artists who work on location or prefer to stand while painting. The smooth surface of plastic palettes is easy to clean, enabling artists to quickly switch between colours and maintain a clean working environment.
Glass Palettes
Glass palettes offer a sleek, modern aesthetic and a smooth surface for easy mixing and blending. Artists appreciate glass palettes for their transparency, allowing them to see the true colors without any distortion. They are made from tempered glass, are easy to clean, remove and scrape off dried paint. They have the added benefit of being strong and long lasting and normally come with rounded corners fro safety.
Stay Wet Palette
My personal favorite, Stay-Wet palettes feature a special membrane that keeps acrylic paints moist for an extended period. This is especially useful for artists working on larger projects or those who prefer a slow-drying approach. These palettes often come with disposable palette paper sheets, making cleanup a breeze. Stay-Wet works by osmosis. Moisture evaporating from the surface is replaced by water from the dampened reservoir paper beneath the semi-permeable membrane which forms the working surface of the Stay Wet Palette. The acrylic paint does not travel across the membrane, so stays on the top of the membrane paper.
RECOMMENDED: DALER ROWNEY : STAY WET PALETTES & REFILLS
Disposable Palettes
Last but not least, disposable palettes are perfect for artists who value convenience and hygiene. Once the painting session is over, simply dispose of the palette. They come in various materials, including paper and tear-off sheets with a wax coating.
The choice of an acrylic paint palette is a personal one, influenced by an artist's workflow, style, and preferences. Whether you opt for the classic wooden palette, the modern glass palette, or a specialized Stay-Wet palette, the key is to find a tool that enhances your creative process. Experiment with different types to discover which palette best complements your artistic journey, and let the colors flow with every stroke of your brush
* Please note this blog contains some affiliate links.