Painting with palette knives
Create bold texture and impasto effects.
How to paint
Palette knives spread thick paint in flat planes and sharp ridges that brushes can't make.
Load the underside of the blade, touch it to the canvas and pull or press — don't overwork it.
With acrylics, add heavy-body gel medium to stretch paint and keep texture.
Related guides
- Acrylic painting for beginners
- Oil painting basics
- Watercolor techniques every artist should know
- Color theory for painters