The Art of DRAWING with a Palette Knife--

My Dear Friends,

Not to be confused with those TV guys, DRAWING with a palette knife is a whole different approach.  Here we actually draw.  We’re not merely making shapes that “represent” something.  And we’re not going to smash a 2 inch brush into the canvas and exclaim “Lookit that beautiful tree”.

Painting/Drawing with a palette knife is fun and exciting.  Practically anyone can do it.  Even if you say you cannot draw.  That you’re not talented that way.

Well, we can change all that.  At least we can try.  Even the smallest success will thrill you.  So, to that end, we’ll need some guidelines.

First, understand that there are a variety of palette knife shapes.  Not because someone decided there should be, but because there arose a need for a particular shape to do a particular job.

 
My favorite one is the black handled one, the top one, it’s not black for any reason, it’s the way it came.  And so happens to be my favorite as it seems to be the most versatile.  It’s angled.  It’s straight.  After using it you might find it as versatile as I do.  Whatever you choose, just remember that as you are painting/drawing certain shapes will require a different knife in order to effect what you’re trying to achieve.

Before beginning any class for a newbie, I have them take a blank canvas or preferably a canvas board (because it’s only for practice) and to be thrown away afterward, and start making strokes of various shapes to test out what each of the knives will do for them.  Besides having only the flat side, each knife has an edge which comes in handy when making a straight edge.  So, use it.

Mixing colors is another topic that we’ll deal with later.  But for now I just want you to bear in mind that when mixing two or more colors together to MIX THEM THOROUGHLY, otherwise you’ll get a “marbleized” effect which you most likely do not want.

Oh, another thing-- don’t STIR the colors together in little circles.  They are meant to be “folded” together with the knife.  Turn the knife over, pick up some paint, push it into the other color.  Then scoop it up again with the underside of the knife, and once again push into itself again and again until it is a solid new color.  Okay, now you’re ready.

Now, scoop up a portion of what you’ve just mixed and apply it to the canvas.  Apply it much like you’re frosting a cake.  Make straight shapes, make curved shapes.  Whatever you do, use it like a knife and not like a brush.  You can advance yourself to try making flower petals, or other simple shapes.  Then check back here tomorrow for some more practical tips to get started toward something exciting.

In the meantime, watch this video from Michael Pintar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzSHhW41bVA
Get excited!  See you tomorrow.

PS For those living in the Long Island, NY area, you can enjoy a live session and DIY on how to draw with a palette knife every Wednesday morning, 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Phoenix Gallery in Bellport, NY.  If you're interested send me an email and I'll send you the particulars.
kakostevi@gmail.com  --Adam