The Artist’s Palette: Types, History & Tips for Mixing and Cleaning

A well-chosen palette isn’t just a surface for mixing paint — it’s an extension of the artist’s hand and a powerful tool for developing color harmony. From classic wooden palettes to modern Sta-Wet trays, this guide will help you choose the best palette for your medium, working style, and studio setup.

A Brief History of Palettes

Hand-held palettes date back to the 15th century, when artists used small, square, or paddle-shaped wooden boards with a thumbhole for grip. By the 19th century, the kidney-shaped palette became popular — its larger mixing area and curved edges made it more ergonomic and practical for big canvases.

Back then, wooden palettes were treated with linseed oil to seal the wood and prevent paint from soaking in. Today, many wood palettes are sealed with polyurethane varnish or lacquer for durability.

Modern Palette Materials & Styles

Today’s palettes come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, each offering unique benefits. Common choices include:

• Wood: Traditional, durable, and warm in the hand.

• Glass: Smooth, easy to clean, and neutral-colored for true color mixing.

• Acrylic or Plexiglas: Lightweight and stain-resistant.

• Plastic: Affordable and portable; available in many shapes.

• Disposable paper palettes: Tear off a sheet, mix, and toss — no cleanup needed!

• Enameled butcher trays: Great for water-based media, easy to clean.

• Sta-Wet palettes: Perfect for acrylics; uses a damp sponge and film to keep paint fresh.

Choosing the Right Palette for Your Medium

Oil & Acrylic Painters

• Oil paints work well on any sealed surface. If you cover your palette with plastic wrap, leftover paint can stay workable for a few days.

• Acrylic paints dry quickly, so a Sta-Wet palette or dampened wax paper setup can keep paint moist longer. Wrap it up and spritz with water to extend open time.

Watercolor Artists

Watercolors perform best on palettes with slanted wells or mixing trays:

• Some artists prefer a large mixing area surrounded by small wells for individual colors.

• Others like multiple small wells with adjacent larger areas to mix washes of those colors.

Arranging Colors on Your Palette

One habit shared by many seasoned artists: always arrange your colors in a consistent order.

• Organize from light to dark or by warm to cool temperature.

• Place multiple hues of the same color next to each other to help you see subtle differences.

• Keeping a reliable layout helps you blend and balance colors intuitively and speeds up your workflow.

Tips for Cleaning Your Palette

The ease of cleanup is a big factor when picking a palette:

• Disposable palettes make cleanup effortless — peel and toss the used sheet.

• Wooden or glass palettes can be scraped clean with a blade or palette knife.

• Oil paint: Wipe excess paint with a rag, then clean with turpentine or mineral spirits.

• Acrylics & watercolors: Clean with water while paint is still wet — dried paint is tougher to remove.

• Some oil painters keep leftover pigments on the edges of the palette for the next session, cleaning only the central mixing area.

Pro Tip: Clean your palette immediately after painting. It’s always easier to remove fresh paint than dried!

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer a classic kidney-shaped wood palette, a glass tabletop setup, or a practical disposable pad, your palette is as personal as your brushstroke. With the right palette and a thoughtful color arrangement, you can paint more comfortably, mix more intuitively, and create with confidence.