Looking for hand-made balanced palette

[Michele Rushworth]

I have a palette made for me by my Dad to my specifications, a very simple, flat birch panel, not balanced or with any particularly creative shape. It's about 10x14" or so. It's so small and lightweight that it doesn't need to be balanced.

I looked at the Boynton palettes at the Portrait Society event in D.C. and they did feel great, though!

I painted my palette grey, with oil paint. It doesn't come off when I scrape it and I really like the medium value color. I think it might even be a good idea to try a white palette if you paint on a white canvas, as I do, to make it easier to judge your colors. Since I paint with a grey palette I should probably stain my canvases the same color, but I don't (for various other reasons).

[Jean-Marie Chapman]

Michele: Thanks for sharing about your palette. I'm going to go ahead and get the Boynton for now. I don't think I can go wrong. My son does wood work, so I might have him use the Boynton as an idea and make me an even smaller one out of my choice of wood. I'll let you know how it turn out!
As for the white palette, Helen VanWyk says never to use them. I have a ton of her books, and she swears by the medium toned wooden palette. But now that you mentioned the white canvas....you've got me thinking. I always start white, so it's something to consider.
Take care,
Jean-Marie

[Debra Norton]

Jean Marie, I think the color of your palette should complement the way you paint. After I transfer the drawing, my first step on the canvas is to complete a thin quick lay-in, getting as close to the values and color as possible. So my canvas is completely covered in a couple hours; that's why I like the darker wood palette. Grey would give the same effect. Someone who paints in sections and leaves the white for a long time would benefit from a white palette.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Jean Marie, I don't know if you have purchased one yet, or read my response at Cennini, but hopefully I can find the images and just to repeat.

Would palettes that are made of good hard wood are a standard throughout history. They become a lighter value the more you use them and the paint develops a natural patina. You can't beat them. Especially as you become more comfortable with values it will not be such a big deal, are you toning your canvas gray? Or a burnt sienna type brown, these figure in too.

The ones Max made for me based on Whitaker's patterns are not only made superbly but are finished in the best possible way for keeping them clean.

Because of the horn design, it eliminates the extra weight to balance the palette thus it stays very light. The smaller one that fits a Masterson Box, is lighter than a tube of paint.

On top of all of this they are very reasonably priced.

I forget how Max want's them ordered on his site, he doesn't have them specified yet, so just shoot him an email for more info. I recommend them highly, for they too are a work of art.

Real Gesso Panels

[Jean-Marie Chapman]

Beth and Debra: Thanks to both of you for your information and comments. I've not yet ordered my palette and will probably drive you all up the wall with this revelation: I'm going to ask my son to make me one! He has all the tools, and years ago made a beautiful classical guitar for his physics project. His subject was acoustics so he placed the sound holes in places that produced the desired result. That said, I would like to ask for some patterns and plans for balanced palettes. Anyone willing to wade in on this? It will be interesting to see what my son develops based on some of the tried and true designs. Perhaps I'll be able to play it!
Stay tuned.
Jean-Marie

[Kimberly Dow]

I'm just going to second what Beth said - I just got my palette from Max yesterday. It is light as feather and feels great. Im not used to using a dark surface to mix, but I will adjust.

[Jean-Marie Chapman]

kim: Can you tell me why you chose the one from Max over the Boynton palette? I don't believe the Boynton is not as dark as the mahogony one that Max makes. But I'm not really certain of that. Have you compared the two?
Jean-Marie