About Montana Pallet Paintings

For those of you interested in the “How”, here is a quick little tutorial on how I create my pallet paintings.

The first step is creating a sketch. There are no tricks or transfers, just old fashioned free hand drawing. The only tool I use is a proportional divider, which helps me take the smaller image on the Ipad and make it big, while still keeping the correct dimensions.

Oliver Dog sketch for pallet painting in Kalispell

Once my sketch is complete and I have a size in mind, I build the pallet board.

I use recycled pallets. I get them from here and there, but mostly, my husband supplies them for me. He also helps me disassemble them.Sanding pallets for pallet painting in Kalispell
If any of you have ever tried pulling pallets apart, you know, it’s not an easy job, especially if you want to keep the length of the pallet boards. Sometimes I get lazy and saw them apart, ha ha, but my husband gets nervous when I use the reciprocating saw, so he usually takes over for me at that point! (Take notes ladies….)
Once disassembled, I piece them together and cut them to size. I attach a backing as well, which is basically yet another pallet board cut in half.

Then I sand them smooth, or as smooth as necessary. Sometimes I like to leave them a bit rough, it all depends on what I’m painting.The next step, once my sketch is complete, is to transfer my drawing onto the pallet board. I do this by chalking the back of my sketch, placing it on my board, and retracing it. It leaves behind a very light outline of my drawing.Chalked pallet board for dog pallet painting

The next step is painting!

I use Acrylic paint for  most of my paintings. I have used outdoor paint on a few outdoor signs, some glow in the dark stuff here and there, and stain on occasion as well. It just depends on where the sign/pallet painting is going.

Once the painting is complete, I seal it with acrylic spray.

Oliver dog pallet painting in Kalispell Montana

For a final touch, I attach a wire to the back for easy hanging, and of course I sign my art, branded on the back of the board.  So that’s it! That’s how I create each and every custom pallet painting!

Montana Pallet Paintings signature brand