While I was a student at the Art Students League, I developed repetitive stress disorder in my lower back as a result of regularly rotating from my canvas to my palette, which was either in front of me, or off to my side. One day it hit me; wouldn’t it be much easier on my back if my palette was right next to what I was painting? After half a dozen experimental designs, I came up with the idea for the ParallelPalette.
Once I had perfected the set up and slim design of the palette, I soon found that I was a much better painter. I quickly discovered all of the amazing benefits of having my palette upright, next to my painting. This set-up allowed me to have the exact same light on my painting as on my palette- a huge advantage. My paint mixtures were now much more accurate since the lighting environments were consistent. Painting from life relies heavily on short term memory- the intervals between observing a subject and getting the information down on the canvas is cut down significantly with a more efficient set-up. With the vertical palette, I found that I could quickly shift focus from the model back to the canvas with minimal time lost and far less motion required. Another great feature of the palette is that it’s totally hands free. With a dozen brushes, paper towels and everything else I juggle while I paint, it’s nice to not worry about spilling a hand held easel on the studio floor!
With the time saving (and back saving) benefits of having a vertical palette, I now realize that the lower back pain I suffered as a student was actually a blessing in disguise.
also for the most part the paint does stay on the palette. :)
Ok, I'm in the queue.
ReplyDeleteFor our transatlantic friends that's a 'line'.
DeleteI love this idea, and after seeing you paint like that before I decided to rig my palette up alongside my painting as well. My biggest problem was that some of the wetter paint was sliding down the palette! How do you get around that? And what if you are mixing some thin washes or something?
ReplyDeletesee below. :)
DeleteSplendid idea! Any hints on how you rigged this to your board or is it attached to the easel? Beautiful work and thanks for the great idea!!!
ReplyDeleteLee
see below. :)
DeleteThe video shows a rather small brush being used throughout the demo. Would a larger brush require a larger palette? Also it looks like most of the colors are premixed for the portrait. Is that recommended? Fantastic work as always.
ReplyDeletesee below. :)
DeleteThanks for the comments guys. gharatani, this is the small travel version of the palette. Didn't really get into too many small brushes on this, mostly large to medium, but that is all relative, i think they were 10s and 8s. :) i know folks that use chip house painting brushes, so to them yea, these are tiny. :) As for pre-mixes, only my super lights, cause i don't use white too often, i like to think of chroma when it comes to my highlights so i use some pales and light, versions of some other colors.
ReplyDeleteNillo (Lee) - Right now there are three ways to rig the palette, i'm using a magic arm from Manfrotto, you can also use a tripod, or a travel easel. this set up is super light for me to travel with. I'll be going over all of this once i get the real site up and running for the palettes, when they are ready to ship. :)
Brendan, I usually don't have much problem, some of my paints are pretty fluid, i usually drain out some of the oil on a paper towel if there is too much, sometimes there will be some paints that drips down, but its rare for me. It all depends on how you paint, this palette isn't going to fit every painting style. It just works for me so I can see the color better and just turn my head effortlessly to paint and choose mixes, less work for me so i can concentrate on seeing.
Thank you so much for all the info. Again great idea!I know that laying the paint out on the backboard from a drawing pad will suck a bit of the moisture out of the paint pretty well also. Cant wait for one of these. Thanks also for the wonderful videos and your beautiful work!
Deletelee
Great idea! When do you think the site will be up & running so we can order one?
ReplyDeleteLoretta
Hi Loretta, thanks for stopping by, We are working on a new addition to the palette to really plus it, I'm hoping to have everything up and ready for orders early this fall. :)
DeleteCan't wait! How do you set up the tripod so the palette doesn't shake when you mixing the paint on it?
DeleteI notice that when you mix your colors the palette doesn't move, doesn't give at all.
btw, your youtube tutorials are awesome.
Great idea, I have a mural to paint and will try this, thanks and good luck with the solo show.
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ReplyDeleteWhat kind of material is the palette made of ?
DeleteHi David...any thoughts on when this fab palette will be ready for prime time! I'm ready to move vertical!!!
ReplyDelete-debby
Catch me up on when to expect my parallelpallet.
ReplyDelete