Palettes are a key tool in every artist’s arsenal. There are many different types of palettes out there, but there are some things you should know to help you with choosing the best oil painting palette.
There are many different palette types in the marketplace. It can be difficult to choose the best palette for your art projects, especially when you’re not familiar with a variety of palettes.
Trying out different types of palettes could be risky and costly, so if you’re still not sure which palette to choose, I’m here to help. Below, I’ve collected a few of my favorite oil palettes to help you decide which one you’re going to pick up.
Here’s a quick rundown of the best palettes available on the market today.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| New Wave POSH Glass Artist Palette 12"x16" / Grey | Best Overall |  |
| Art Advantage Non-Stick Plastic Palette | Budget Pick |  |
| PRO ART 12-Inch by 16-Inch Disposable Oil Palette Paper Pad | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. New Wave POSH Glass Artist Palette 12"x16" / Grey
Pros:
- Holds large amount of paints
- Easy-to-clean glass tray
- Includes matching mixing well
- Ergonomic handles
- Great size selections
Cons:
- Tray is difficult to remove
- Some reports of paint cracking when stored on painted surface
Whether you're a serious oil and acrylic painter or just beginning your art journey, the New Wave Posh palette is the right choice. The glass palette has a sleek ergonomic design to make it easy to carry the the paints and keep your paints clean at the same time.
Designed to hold larger quantities of paint, it will fit well in your professional work area. It includes a mixing well to keep the colors you’re using together, while keeping them separate from the colors you're not using.
We also love the row of holes on the side. They’re perfect for holding brushes and mixing tools. You can even store a full-size palette knife in the bottom of the mixing well.
2. PRO ART 12-Inch by 16-Inch Disposable Oil Palette Paper Pad
Pros:
- Large size
- Ideal for oil painting
- Ideal for use up to 16-inch by 20-inch canvases
- Choice of 25 colors
- Extremely affordable
- Quantity of 50 sheets
For a quick and inexpensive solution to protecting your surfaces, these PRO ART oil painting disposable palettes are ideal for you. You won’t need to spend hours setting up a palette when you use these, and you’ll simply be able to toss them when they get messy.
Theses palettes are made from sturdy, thick paper that won’t buckle under pressure. They’re lightweight so you can easily transport them to your local art studio or class. There’s a compact option available as well so you can take a variety of colors with you on the go.
These palettes come in 50 individually-wrapped sheets that include 25 sheets of white paper, 13 sheets in each of five different colors, and 2 sheets of black paper. That’s a total of 600 sheets in each shipment.
3. Mijello MAP-3025 Multi-Purpose Palette Various Airtight Peel-Off Palette-3.5-inch x 9.125-inch-24 Cavity
Pros:
- Variety of cavities
- Works well for oil and acrylic paintings
- Can be removed from frame
- Lightweight and portable
When you’re looking for the best palette for oil paints, this product from Mijello might be a great choice for your needs. It has a variety of cavities for paint mixing and is suitable for both oil and acrylic paintings. The lightweight and portable design makes it a good pick for a travel artist or for those who need to do a lot of work on the move.
The Mijello multi-purpose palette comes with a frame that uses Airtight’s peel off system. You can save up to 24 sets of colors by peeling the palettes off from the frame. Note that this is different from the traditional palette with a magnet that allows you to stick it on any metal surface.
It’s also worth mentioning that you can remove the palette from the frame. That way, you can use the frame to work on another painting project. Since you’re saving the palettes in this peel-off system, you can just place them in a plastic bag to avoid any drying issues.
4. Art Advantage Non-Stick Plastic Palette
Pros:
- Made from non-stick plastic
- Lightweight and compact
- Inexpensive
- Easily cleaned
Being a young artist, having a palette available for your oil painting is a must. Art Advantage offers a non-stick plastic palette that will be more than suitable for beginners, plus they’re very affordable!
Art Advantage Non-Stick Plastic Palette, 11 inch by 15 inch, white features a non-porous surface that should not have any issues with staining, unlike many glass or wooden palettes.
It’s also very light and compact for easy traveling.
5. Paint Tray Palettes Xpassion
Pros:
- 100% Brand new and high quality!
- The sturdy glue can resist the paint and is easy to clean
3 .High quality environmental protection paint tray palettes
The surface of the palette is smooth,has no burr,round,high strength,light weight.
These acrylic paint tray palettes are great for mixing acrylic colors for your painting. It come with 6 strong palette to store your paints perfectly. And it’s surprisingly easy to clean up afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best palette for oil paints?
When selecting an oil palette one needs to keep in mind the primary objective. There are three criteria. Fit for purpose, economy and ease of maintenance.
A purpose made wood palette keeps the paints moist and ready for use. It also provides storage for paint mixing when not in use. Other materials such as glass, porcelain, plastic or metal may also be used.
One thing to bear in mind if purchasing a new one is the additional cost of providing your own liners. Liners are usually constructed from foam and are essential to avoid paint from mixing in with the next paint.
For most purposes, the fit for purpose criteria is what will be considered when deciding upon a palette. This will be weighed up against economy and ease of maintenance.
Can you use plastic palette oil painting?
The simple fact is that plastic palettes are always better than glass when it comes to oil painting. While glass ones are perfect for water-based mediums like acrylic paints or drawing media, the complete lack of flexibility makes them awkward to use with oil paint. The problem is that oil is very thick and heavy while you are working with it, so a rigid palette will force you to tilt your board. This tilting could ruin your work – or worse lead to leaking of the oil paint. Oil paints are best used on plastic palettes that will flex slightly to accommodate tilting of your work.
The material of the palette is the main consideration when choosing one, and in the actual dip-in style oil painting, these are often made of wood. They are durable and not prone to splitting even when used with thinner paints and mediums. Usually the palette surface is not painted with oil, instead it is normally used as a drip tray for excess paint.
How do you use a palette knife in oil painting?
Palettes knives are used for mixing paint colors on the palette. Oil painters use several colors, which are mixed on the palette in varying proportions, to create their desired shades. A palette knife is an essential tool in oil painting and can be used for mixing, stirring and spreading paint.
Before you use a palette knife, ensure that it’s clean and in good condition. Never wipe it on your handkerchief, as it can leave smears on the cloth which will contaminate the paint. Use a damp sponge to clean off all excess paint and also to remove any dried paint that may stick to it.
Use the knife to mix colors on the palette. To scrape off paint, use the edge (not the dull side) of the palette knife, applying pressure as required. To stir paint, use the dull side of the palette knife and rotate it in the mixture. To spread paint over the canvas, use the blunt side.
What is the best solvent for oil paint?
The best solvent to use for oil paint is turpentine. It is by far the best and safest solvent for oil paint.
Some users believe mineral spirits are good, but I highly recommend not using them at all. They are extremely toxic and can cause serious health issues. Turpentine is safe to use and has a very low odor.
You may come across some painters who use gasoline to thin their paint. This is dangerous and can ruin your paint brush and palette in addition to being dangerous.
Conclusion
Palettes are an important tool in oil painting. For professional or beginner painters, choosing the best palette takes away some of the stress of completing a project. Life would be so simple if you could use any old plate or tray for your paint.
However, there are many options available on the market today, so make sure that you choose a palette that meets your needs, is easy to use, and is easy to clean.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| New Wave POSH Glass Artist Palette 12"x16" / Grey | Best Overall | |
| Art Advantage Non-Stick Plastic Palette | Budget Pick | |
| PRO ART 12-Inch by 16-Inch Disposable Oil Palette Paper Pad | Upgrade Pick | |