Looking for hand-made balanced palette

Jean-Marie Chapman · 10-11-2005, 07:59 PM

I'm trying to find a light-weight wooden painter's palette that is weighted, balanced. I have seen them for as much as $150. Can anyone suggest a nice one for less? I heard there is a gentleman who makes them for about $70 and then another $70 for the box.
Thanks for your help...please email me at [email protected]. I don't check the Forum very often.

Many thanks,
Jean-Marie Koch

Claudemir Bonfim · 10-11-2005, 08:58 PM

I made mine with only $5.00. You just need the measures and someone with the equipment.

Jean-Marie Chapman · 10-11-2005, 11:27 PM

Claudemir: Thanks for your information. I don't have a way to make my own, as I have no saws, etc. But I think if I had the pattern I could find someone to make it for me. Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for a source.
Many thanks,
Jean-Marie

Peggy Baumgaertner · 10-12-2005, 01:14 AM

Jean-Marie,

I think you might be thinking of the Lee Boynton Palette.

It is a beautiful handmade balanced palette. I've had mine for 14 years. Here is his website.

http://www.leeboynton.com/ArtPalettes.html

Jean-Marie Chapman · 10-12-2005, 10:27 AM

Peggy: Thanks for the information. I checked out his website and I think he may be the one referred to me. Which size do you have? The large one or the small one? Did you also purchase a box?
Jean-Marie

Debra Jones · 10-12-2005, 11:38 AM

Max at Realgesso is apparently on the skill saw right now. Take a gander at this slew of posts from Cennini

Peggy Baumgaertner · 10-12-2005, 11:49 AM

I have the smaller palette. The large one is....large! I don't have the palette box, mainly because I haven't gotten off my duff to buy it. I do some plein air painting, where having a box for moving a loaded palette from place to place would be nice.

Jean-Marie Chapman · 10-12-2005, 12:37 PM

Thanks, Debra and Peggy:
The search for the perfect palette is turning out to be a little tricky! As portrait artists, I would think the color/value of the palette would be important. I found one in mahogony on one of the sites suggested to me, but it looks dark. What do you think about the color issue? Did you specify color when you bought yours? And what about the staining problem. How do you deal with that?
Thanks again...
Jean-Marie

Max Howard · 10-12-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean-Marie Koch

Thanks, Debra and Peggy:
The search for the perfect palette is turning out to be a little tricky! As portrait artists, I would think the color/value of the palette would be important. I found one in mahogony on one of the sites suggested to me, but it looks dark. What do you think about the color issue? Did you specify color when you bought yours? And what about the staining problem. How do you deal with that?
Thanks again...
Jean-Marie

Aside from mahogany, I've made them out of birch. I prefer the darker mahogany though.

Jean-Marie Chapman · 10-12-2005, 07:02 PM

Max: Thank you for your remarks. I'm wondering why you prefer the darker wood when mixing skin tones for portraits. I would appreciate any other portrait aritst weighing in on this question. What color of wood or surface do you prefer on your palette?

Thank you for educating me on this.
Jean-Marie