Palette Thumbholes - WHY?

Let’s talk about Palette thumbholes – why are they there? Do you need them?  

The purpose of the thumbholes is so you can hold your palette on your arm while you are painting.  This used to be very common. 

^{Vicente López Portaña - el pintor Francisco de Goya} 

The palettes that artists would use were balanced  – called arm palettes – designed easily stay flat when lightly held on your arm. They are a rarity to find today, but if you can find one, they are amazing. You can hold your palette for ages without getting tired. Very special. I have purchased one from an artist who makes them - Traditional Palettes on Etsy. I warn you, they are pricey, but very special if that's your thing.

^{Here's my cherished palette from Traditional Palettes.}

However, you may have noticed that nearly every palette you buy from art retailers have thumbholes. These are utterly ridiculous for two reasons.

1. They're not even remotely balanced. Try to hold one. They flop over. Your arm would get exhausted very quickly.
2. Most people put their palette on a table or french easel. The thumbhole that you will never use just takes up space you can use for mixing paint!

What to do instead: Get a simple piece of plywood (oil painters) or glass. Glass places or good plywood retailers will cut them to your desired size. Or, I have some thin, sanded, rectangular plywood you can use for oil painting palettes.They cost $15, which is easier than going out to buy one. Click here. 

Okay – in summary – It’s cool to be able to hold your palette sometimes, but if you plan to do that, you need a VERY special one that is balanced. Otherwise, thumbholes are a waste of space.

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Note: If you paint with acrylic or gouache, glass palettes can work and there are other choices for you as well.  Wooden palettes are really meant just for oil painting. 

Another Note: People used to hold rectangular palettes as well. Just look at this guy - Notice that his rectangular palette is short enough to rest on his arm.

^{_{Louis Aston Knight}}

This one is shorter as well.

_{^{O pintor Silva Porto, estudo (1880) - António Ramalho Júnior}}

The rectangular palettes that come with french easels or are sold at art supply stores are too long to hold this way.  

Okay! Hope that helps!

_{Art credits from the video - in order of appearance
No credit for the line drawing - sorry - couldn't find one.
Auguste Levêque-Painter at the Easel
Joseph Aved - Jean-François de Troy
Portret van raden - Syarif Bustaman Saleh
Vigée-Lebrun - Charlotte Eustache Sophie de Faligny-Delmas}