Musings on Painting and the Palette Knife

My intent with naming this post about musings on painting and the palette knife is simple. I want to share what I have learned so far about learning to use a new tool. But wait, there’s more! So much more! If you’re new to this blog and want to learn more, check out this link which describes it’s purpose. But for today anyway, let’s muse and meander to my studio experience with the palette knife.

Three Things I Have Learned

One of the biggest things I have learned in my new found relationship with the palette knife is this: it’s all in my head. Meaning? Well, I have had some pretty horrible experiences using a palette knife. Such as, well let’s just say a certain educational experience left me absolutely terrified about learning to use the palette knife. I could go into all the gory details but let’s just say, I felt embarrassed and humiliated. Too sensitive? Oh heck yeah!

Fast forward to today where I get to work in my own studio at my own pace and with my own dreams and ideas? Now that, my friends, is a perfect place for me to try something new. Then add in the pile of new paints I am trying and – voila – why not see what the palette knife can do, eh?

As I taped off a new piece of canvas paper for this week’s palette knife exercise, I could feel myself getting more and more excited about using this new tool. That thinking alone freed me up to play and try and play and try again.

Expect the Unexpected

And, as I mentioned last week, a palette knife feels more comfortable in my right hand even though I’m a lefty. But, I decided to keep working with my right hand. And I started thinking about how I was going to apply the paint to the canvas with said new tool and in my non-dominant hand.

Even though I’m still new at this and I know I have so much more to learn, I had so much fun. And my right hand is turning out to be a pretty good team player in the studio. How unexpected is that?

More Buttery Than Ever

The third thing I learned about the palette knife is so cool! Guess what? It makes buttery luscious oil paint even more buttery than ever. Gahhhh! I’m sure there is some very concise scientific explanation for this. But, I’m just going with what I felt and experienced. And, it was delightful; both on the palette and on the canvas paper.

Ta Da

So here’s a picture of the five green paints I mixed with Titanium white this week.

They are, from left to right, Prussian Green (Winsor & Newton), Sap Green (Old Holland), Chromium Oxide Green (M. Harding) and Permanent Green Light (Winsor & Newton). I used Gamblin’s quick dry Titanium White to mix with each of these greens.

As I mixed the Prussian Green, I could see using it with a mix of other colors for some of the pine trees I see on my morning walk. The Sap green is just a delicious color and a personal preference. I confess I only got the Chromium Oxide Green after reading Mitch Albala’s fantastic book. I need to paint more to appreciate this one. The Permanent Green light didn’t thrill me. Why? I kept seeing ways to mix quickly and easily with my blues and yellows on my palette. But that’s true with all greens right?

The More I Know

For those of you who might have been expecting a more technical discussion of oil paints here, my apologies! I realize that the more I know, the more I know I don’t know. And, I have lots more learning to do. But that’s the allure of it all, don’t you think?

So, I thought of that wonderful song “Getting to Know You” as spent more time with my palette knife this week. Here’s a musical break with that song for you to enjoy!

Musings on Painting and the Palette Knife

Now when I look at paintings that I have finished for this show at Stokes County Arts Council, I think “Hmmm, I wonder where a palette knife would have worked here?” Here’s one of those paintings!

Just the possibility of texture that the palette knife creates, make the ideas and opportunities endless. I will be sure to apply these musings of painting and the palette knife to my studio soon!

Speaking of the Stokes County Arts Council, the opening is less than 48 hours away. If you are going, I look forward to seeing you at 500 N. Main Street Danbury, NC 27016 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm Friday, May 27th. If you can’t make it but live in the area, keep in mind that the show is up till Thursday, June 30th. And, the gallery is open everyday of the week: Monday through Friday from 9:00 – 5:00 pm. Saturday it’s open from 10:00 – 5:00 pm. And Sunday it’s open from 12 noon – 5:00 pm.

If you have time, consider a hike at nearby Hanging Rock State Park followed by a visit to the gallery and their ice cream store and coffee shop!

What About You

How about you, gentle reader? Have you been wielding a new tool that is helping you in your world? If so, please do share in the comments below and thank you as always for reading here today!