Have you ever wondered how artists create texture in their paintings? As a true Italian might say, what’s in the secret sauce? While I may not be Italian, I am an artist and happen to know a thing or two about texture.
The palette knife is a fun tool for adding texture and interest to a surface. In fact, some artists abandon the paint brush all together and stick with the palette knife. Read on for my insider tips on how to paint using your palette knife.
How To Use Your Palette Knife with Acrylic Paint
The palette knife essentially moves thick layers of paint across the canvas creating visual interest. This technique is best executed using acrylic paint since it dries quickly. If using oil paint, your layers could take 1-2 weeks to dry.
The palette knife technique is quite simple. However, I do recommend practicing on a different surface before diving in. You will want to make sure your layers of paint do not become a muddy mess. To avoid this, let a few layers dry before adding more paint. Also, choose a color palette that blends well together as seen in the orange, yellow and green painting above.
The palette knife is not only used for creating thick texture as it can be used for dry brush looks as well (as seen in the painting above). To create this look, add less paint to your canvas and spread the pigment with a clean palette knife. You may want to have several different shaped palette knives at your station as you would paint brushes.
To make thin lines on the canvas, dip the side of the palette knife in a small amount of paint and glide the edge of the knife along your image in one quick stroke.
Creating Body with the Palette Knife
Ok, what does creating body mean? Body refers to the thickness of the paint. Acrylic paints can be paired with all sorts of mediums that change the fluidity of the pigment. I suggest mixing a thickening medium into your colors for maximum texture. Read more on acrylic mediums in my post explaining the difference between oil and acrylic paints.
Most importantly, remember to let loose and have fun. There is no wrong way to use a palette knife!
~Alexandria