If you have ever seen Van Gogh’s Starry Night, then you have already seen the power of a palette knife.
In a letter to his brother Theo in 1888, Van Gogh describes his discovery of this exciting new method to apply wet media:
“I have been working hard on my pastels lately with great pleasure—they are more difficult than I thought…I have also tried applying colours with a brush loaded with paste and even with my fingers…and then I have tried something quite new: applying them with a blade like a plasterer does when plastering walls…it gives something between fresco painting and watercolour.”
Since then, the design has been perfected to what it is today, with Jasart developing their unique range of Elevate Professional Palette Knives. Offering both traditional shapes and their new “Effects” range, Elevate Professional Palette Knives have a knife to suit every painter.
So, what exactly is a palette knife and how can it help you unlock your creative potential? Let's take a closer look.
What Is a Palette Knife?
A palette knife is simply a metal or plastic blade mounted on a handle that is used to mix, scrape, lift, and spread paints or other mediums. Palette knives can look like a trowel or spatula, they often have an angled edge that makes them easy to hold and manoeuvre. The size of the blade will determine how much paint or other medium it can carry and spread at once. Generally speaking, smaller blades are better for detail work while larger blades are better for covering larger areas quickly.
The Benefits of Using a Palette Knife
Using a palette knife brings all sorts of incredible effects to your artwork, ranging from subtle texture to bold colour blocking. They are especially useful when working with thick oil paints because they help blend the colours together smoothly while still allowing you to maintain control of the pigment concentration. Plus, since there are no bristles on the end of the knife, this makes it easy to achieve sharp lines and edges that would otherwise be difficult with brushes.
Another great benefit of using a palette knife is that you can use it to create interesting textures on canvas or board without having to resort to time-consuming techniques like sponging or stippling. You can also use them for scraping away layers of paint or adding highlights by lifting off excess pigment from areas you wish to lighten up. They are also great for mixing colours together without leaving streaks or brush marks behind.
How to Use a Palette Knife
The way you use your palette knife will depend on what type of effect you are trying to achieve. To mix colours together, simply drag or scrape the edge of the palette knife across them until they blend seamlessly. You can also use a triangle-shaped palette knife to create interesting textures in your work by dragging it across paint that has already been applied to your canvas. This can help create organic shapes and patterns that can add dimension and depth to your piece.
The possibilities with a palette knife are endless! Depending on how much pressure you apply while using it, as well as which direction you move it in, there is an infinite number of techniques that can be used while working with this versatile tool. Some common techniques include scraping away excess paint from a surface to reveal details beneath it or using sweeping strokes across a canvas for subtle background colours and patterns. Experimentation is key when discovering how best to use a palette knife — so don’t be afraid to get creative!
Different Types of Palette Knives
There are many different types of palette knives available. The type you choose will depend largely on the kind of painting you want to do - for example, if you’re looking for a knife with more flexibility then you might want one with a thinner blade. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more control then you might want one with a thicker blade. Here are some popular types of palette knives that are available today:
- Spatula Knife: This type has a flat, straight edge and is perfect for creating smooth strokes in your painting. It's also great for mixing colours together when combined with other palette knives like the fan knife or trowel knife.
- Fan Knife: This type has curved blades that fan outwards from its handle which makes it ideal for creating wispy lines and adding texture to your painting. It's especially helpful when blending colours together as well as adding depth and dimension to your artwork.
- Trowel Knife: This type has a wide blade with angled edges which makes it great for creating unique textures in your paintings as well as scraping away excess paint or colour from your canvas or other surfaces. It's also useful for creating high contrast between light and dark tones in your artwork.
The Jasart Elevate Professional range of palette knives has all these designs and more. Crafted from hard-wearing metal and FSC wood, Jasart Elevate Professional Palette Knives have been created with artistic experimentation in mind. Available in a range of shapes and sizes, Jasart Elevate Professional Palette Knives suit any application. Ranging from the classic trowel and spatula shapes, to the more experimental fan and comb shapes.
Whether you are just getting started with art supplies or have been painting for years, every artist should have at least one palette knife in their arsenal! With their many benefits such as easier blending of colours as well as creating interesting textures; this simple yet powerful tool will become your go-to when creating artworks that require more than just brushes alone! By learning how to properly use this tool in your artwork, you'll be able to unlock more creative potential than ever before!
Explore the exciting new range of Elevate Palette Knives from Jasart here.
