6 BEST Oil Paint Palette: RAVED About by Artists of All Levels

Written by: Dalia Abdalla

October 13, 2023

Time to read 8 min

Our List of the Best Oil Paint Palette

Choosing the perfect palette is an art form in itself, especially when it comes to oil painting. The palette you select can significantly influence your creative process and the final outcome of your masterpiece. It's not just a mixing surface; it's your artistic companion, the place where colors blend, ideas come to life, and your imagination takes shape. In this guide, we will go through the best oil paint palette, unveiling a selection of the finest options available.

Our List of the Best Oil Paint Palette 1. Best Overall 2. Best Wooden Palettes 3. Best Plastic/Acrylic Palettes Let's Compare the Pros and Cons of Each Material Let's go over why the glass palette wins the "Best Overall" award

1. Best Overall

Paragona Oval Glass Palette

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Material: Tempered safety glass
Item Dimensions: 1.5 x 11.85 x 15.31 inches

Easy to Clean: The glass surface is easy to clean, making it ideal for use with oil and acrylic paints. Wet paint can be wiped off quickly, and dried acrylic paint peels off easily, reducing the mess and hassle associated with plastic palettes.
Non-Porous Surface: The non-porous glass surface won't absorb pigments, allowing artists to see true colors each time they use it. This is essential for maintaining color accuracy in your artwork.
Durable: Made from tempered safety glass, this palette is durable and long-lasting, ensuring it can withstand regular use by artists.
Smooth Mixing: The smooth and pristine glass surface provides an excellent platform for paint mixing and color control, allowing artists to achieve precise color blends.

2. Best Wooden Palettes

U.S. Art Supply 11.8" X 19.8"

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Size: 11.8 inches x 19.8 inches
Product Dimensions: 19.8 inches (Length) x 11.8 inches (Width)

Sturdy and Durable: The palette is made of high-quality wood and acrylic, ensuring sturdiness and durability. It can withstand the rigors of painting and can be used for a long time.
Easy to Clean: This palette is easy to clean and can be quickly washed or wiped off, making it ready for the next use. It's a practical choice for artists who need to switch between colors frequently.
Versatile Use: The palette is suitable for a wide range of painting mediums, including watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and oil-based paint pigments. It can be used by professional artists, art students, and young aspiring artists alike.

MEEDEN Wood Paint Palette

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Premium Wood Material: The palette is made of oil-finished Basswood, providing a beautiful color and gloss. This wood type ensures durability, non-absorbency, and a smooth surface for easy paint mixing.
Easy to Clean: Thanks to its smooth surface, pigments mix well on this palette, saving you time and effort in the cleanup process. You can easily clean it with just a brush or cloth.
Versatile Size: With dimensions of 15.7 inches by 11.8 inches, this wooden palette offers plenty of space for mixing colors, making it suitable for various artistic mediums, including Acrylic, Oil, and Watercolor painting. It's also ideal for use in parties, school projects, art classes, and lessons.
Lightweight and Portable: Weighing only 0.22 pounds (per pack), this art palette is easy to carry and store. It's suitable for artists of all ages, including kids.

3. Best Plastic/Acrylic Palettes

Acrylic Paint Tray 12 x 8 inches Oval

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Protective Film: The product comes with a protective film on both sides to prevent scratches during transportation. It is important to peel off this film before use to reveal the clear acrylic palette.
Easy to Clean: This acrylic paint palette is super easy to clean, whether you're working with wet or dry paint. You can easily remove dried-on acrylic paint with the help of alcohol.
Versatile Usage: The painting tray can be used for various painting techniques, including watercolor, oil painting, propylene painting, gouache, and other pigment color mixing. It's suitable for use in school art classes, studios, and workshops.

Inifus 22 PCS Paint Tray

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Premium Plastic Palettes: Made of molded white premium plastic, the paint tray is sanitary, sturdy, and durable.
Unique Design: The round plastic palettes have 10 wells and 1 central reservoir, ideal for holding pigments separately or mixing them. The raised brush holders on the rim are designed to accommodate brushes from any angle.
Multiple Uses: Suitable for kids, craftsmen, amateur, and professional painters. It's also great for school art projects, decorating cupcake palettes at home or school parties, and various art-related activities. Widely used in parties, workshops, art classes, or lessons.
Easy to Carry & Store: These painting palettes are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry. They are not thin plastic, so they are durable. Additionally, they can be easily stacked together, saving space.

MEEDEN 12-Well Round Paint Palette

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Smooth Surface: The white smooth surface of the palette ensures that paint spreads smoothly without forming beads. This allows for precise and controlled painting.
Easy to Clean: The palette can be easily wiped perfectly clean with a tissue, making it convenient for cleaning, mixing, and keeping your colors vibrant.
Plenty of Mixing Space: With 12 wells, this medium-weight porcelain palette offers plenty of space to mix colors effectively. It helps improve your skill in color mixing.

Let's Compare the Pros and Cons of Each Material

Wood Palette:
- Advantages: Wood palettes are a popular choice among many oil painters. They are durable, provide a stable surface for mixing colors, and have a traditional, aesthetic appeal. Wood palettes can be seasoned with linseed oil, which can make them more resistant to absorbing oil from the paint and easier to clean.
- Considerations: Wood palettes can be heavy and may require occasional maintenance, such as reseasoning and sanding to keep them in good condition.
Glass Palette:
- Advantages: Glass palettes are smooth and easy to clean, making them excellent for color mixing. They are also non-absorbent, which means that the paint will not seep into the palette, allowing for better color accuracy and easy cleanup. Glass palettes are particularly popular for artists who prefer a clean, modern look.
- Considerations: Glass palettes can be fragile and may require careful handling to avoid breakage. They can also be cold to the touch, which can affect the consistency of the paint in colder environments.
Plastic Palette:
- Advantages: Plastic palettes are lightweight, easy to clean, and come in various shapes and sizes. They are an affordable option for beginners and are generally durable enough for regular use. Some plastic palettes have mixing wells and compartments for organizing colors.
- Considerations: Plastic palettes may not have the same level of stability as wood or glass palettes, and they can become stained over time, making color accuracy a concern.

So, why did we give the glass palette the "Best Overall" award?

Color Accuracy: Glass palettes provide an exceptionally smooth and non-absorbent surface, which ensures that the colors you mix on the palette remain true to their original pigmentation. Unlike some other palette materials, glass won't absorb any oil from the paint, preventing color shifts and allowing you to achieve precise color matching.
Ease of Cleaning: Glass palettes are incredibly easy to clean. Once you're done with your painting session, you can scrape off any leftover paint with a palette knife or razor blade, wipe the surface clean with a solvent, and you have a pristine palette ready for your next session. This efficiency in cleanup saves time and helps maintain the integrity of your colors.
Durability: While glass palettes can be fragile and need to be handled with care, they are generally quite durable when used properly. They won't degrade over time, making them a long-lasting investment for artists. Plus, they are resistant to staining, ensuring that your palette retains its clarity and doesn't absorb the colors you use.
Versatility: Glass palettes come in various shapes and sizes to suit different artists' preferences. Some have additional features like rounded edges for easy paint removal and mixing wells for organizing colors. This versatility allows artists to choose a glass palette that best complements their working style.
Clean Aesthetic: Many artists appreciate the clean, modern look of glass palettes. They can enhance the overall presentation of your workspace and artwork, which is particularly appealing for those who value aesthetics as part of their creative process.

Make sure you have all the tools ready to begin oil painting

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Professional paint brushes are indispensable for painters due to their superior craftsmanship and performance. These brushes are meticulously designed and crafted to deliver precise control and consistent results, allowing artists to achieve the desired texture, detail, and finish in their work. Their high-quality bristles, ergonomic handles, and durability ensure longevity and ease of use, reducing fatigue during extended painting sessions. Ultimately, professional paint brushes enhance the artist's ability to translate their creative vision onto canvas with precision and finesse, making them an essential tool for any serious painter.

Beginner in Oil Painting?

Which palette is best for oil painting?

As mentioned earlier, glass palettes are often considered one of the best options for oil painting due to their smooth, non-absorbent surface, which helps maintain color accuracy and ease of cleaning. However, some artists still prefer wooden or plastic palettes. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your artwork.

Should I use a wooden palette for oil paints?

Wooden palettes are a traditional and durable choice for oil painting. They offer a stable surface for mixing colors and can be seasoned with linseed oil to make them more resistant to oil absorption. Many artists appreciate the tactile feel and aesthetic of a wooden palette. If you enjoy the process of maintaining a wooden palette, it can be an excellent choice.

Can I use oil paint on acrylic palette?

While it's generally safe to use oil paint on an acrylic palette occasionally, it's not ideal for long-term use. Acrylic palettes are not designed to be non-absorbent like glass or some plastic palettes. Over time, oil paint can seep into the acrylic palette, making it difficult to clean thoroughly and potentially affecting the accuracy of your color mixes. If you're primarily working with oil paints, it's best to invest in a palette specifically designed for oil painting.

What oil paints do artists use?

Artists use various brands and types of oil paints based on their preferences and needs. Some popular brands include Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Rembrandt, and Old Holland. Artists choose oil paints based on factors like color range, consistency, pigment quality, and price. Professional-grade oil paints are known for their high pigment concentration, which offers vibrant colors and excellent blending properties.

Dalia Abdalla

Owner & Head Designer, Modern Pink Paper

Dalia is the creative force behind Modern Pink Paper. With a keen eye for detail and a love for all things stationery, she embarked on this journey to provide personalized stationery solutions. When she's not crafting beautiful paper creations, Dalia is sharing her insights and inspirations on this blog, ensuring that her readers always have a touch of beauty and creativity in their lives.