How to Clean an Oil Painting Palate
Oil paints can typically stay on a palette for an extended time because they take so long to dry. However, do not leave colors on the palette once you have finished your painting session for the day. Also do not to allow paints to dry on your palette, as they will then be harder to remove. You will be able to remove most of the paint with a palette knife, and wipe the remainder off with an oil paint removing product. Although disposable palettes are available, most artists prefer to use a permanent palette, which will require regular cleaning.
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Things You'll Need
- Linseed oil
- Cloth
- Small bottle of turpentine
- Flat razor blade
- Roll of wax paper
Instructions
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Paint in a well-ventilated room. Keep one or more windows open for a flow of fresh air. This protects you from inhaling turpentine fumes during the cleaning process.
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Pour a few drops of linseed oil onto your palette before using it for the first time. Rub the oil into the surface of the palette and leave the palette overnight for the oil to soak in thoroughly.
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Always clean your palette after completing a painting session to make sure that the oils do not dry on the palette. Oils that dry on the palette are more difficult to remove at a later stage. Wipe the palette down with a cloth that has been dipped in turpentine.
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Use a flat razor blade to remove old and dry oil paint from your palette. A razor blade works particularly well on a thick glass palette. Soften hard-to-remove dry oil paint by applying a few drops of turpentine to the dried paint mass. You will then be able to remove it with your razor blade.
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Rub a little water over the surface of your palette after removing oil paints with the cloth and turpentine. The thin film of water will lift any oil remaining on the palette.
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Place a sheet of wax paper under your palette if you place the palate on a table or similar work surface. Mix some of the oils on the wax paper, particularly when you need a large amount of paint. Dispose of the wax paper at the end of your painting session.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a cheap, disposable plastic palette as an alternative to cleaning your existing palette. You can also use disposable paper palettes, particularly when mixing large amounts of paint for a very big canvas, or for an extensive area on your canvas, such as when painting the sky or ocean.
References
Resources
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