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I got the maple Artisan, 11x18 size. I didn't do anything to the finish on this one, I just started smearing my left over paint around at the end of painting sessions. I just checked it and I think it could probably stand a little more paint smearing to get it to the right value, but it still has a smooth feel to the surface. I have pretty small hands so I had my husband cut the u shape deeper so I can hold brushes and the palette with the same hand. It has a dent to fit my arm too, but I can't remember if that was there or if I had him cut it. I think I had him cut it because it seems like I remember it hurting my arm when I first got it. I had him match the cutting to my Boynton palette, which fits me very well.
I don't think I realized the Artisan came in color choices when I bought mine or I would have gotten a darker one. I bought mine directly from the store (Blick's) and got what they had in stock. My only reason for buying this palette was because (like a dummy!) I left behind the one that came with my french easel when we moved here. (We moved here for me to go to art school, and most of our stuff is in storage back in Washington state.) I tried the cheap $5 palettes, but they hurt my thumb, that's how I ended up with the Artisan. So I guess my recommendation would be that if you don't need it, don't buy it, but the thumb gasket is nice.
I have the smaller Boynton, and I'm not sure what kind of wood it is. And I would recommend that if you can buy only one palette that it be the Boynton. I love mine, I think I'll start a Lee Boynton fan club!
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