Painting and Palette Knives(12)

Painting Knife vs Palette Knife

The terms ‘painting knife’ and ‘palette knife’ are often used interchangeably, but before we go any further let’s hash out the differences!

Like the name suggests, a ‘palette knife’ is used to mix paints on a palette. It is often a long, straight knife that may or may not have a slight bend in the handle. We sell a handy pack of 5 plastic palette knives that will give you heaps of choices for all your mixing needs. You can do palette knife painting if you wish, but you’ll have a much easier time using a specially-designed painting knife – painting with a palette knife is like trying to brush your hair with a toothbrush – you might get there eventually, but there’s tools much better suited for it!

A ‘painting knife’ is what you use to put paint to canvas. Like the palette knife it is a long knife, but the bend is much more pronounced – this keeps you from getting your hands in the paint on your palette and canvas while you work! There are lots of different shapes but an artist staple is one like our metal Art Studio Painting Knife – with its straight edges and rounded tip, you’ll have heaps of options for applying your paint. Metal painting knives are the best kind, as they are nice and springy and take paint cleanly off your palette.

Knife or Brush?

Paintbrush or painting knife? The choice depends on you, the artist, and how you like to paint. We’ve created this handy pro/con list on painting knives to help you make your decision.

Painting Knives:

Pros:

  • Easy to clean
  • Builds up texture and paint quickly
  • Layer paint without blending
  • Create sharp lines and edges easily

Cons:

  • Less versatile than a brush
  • Less accurate than a brush

Not many cons, huh? A painting knife is a handy tool in any artist’s collection – we encourage you to try them!

Painting Knife Techniques

Here are some easy techniques you can use with a painting knife that will create interesting effects in your artwork. Wielding a painting knife isn’t too different than smoothing icing on a cake – but try to resist the urge to taste your delicious looking paints! When holding your knife, use it either with a pencil grip or hold it like you are conducting an orchestra, whichever suits the stroke you are making.

  • Blending colours on the canvas – simply drag your palette knife from one colour into another. This effect looks very different when done with a knife as opposed to a brush!
  • Multi-coloured strokes – blob several different paint colours into the edge of your knife and then drag it across your canvas for a rainbow stroke of colours!
  • Scraping – you can use the edge of a knife to scrape away the top layer of paint to reveal the colours underneath. Or even scrape away mistakes!
  • Scumbling – drag a little wet paint over a layer of dried paint so you can the undercolour peeking through. You will get different effects with a brush on this one too!

Caring for your Painting and Palette Knives

The great thing about these knives is that they’re fairly ease to care for. Wipe away paint from the blade with a towel or paper cloth while it’s still wet. You should do this between colour changes, as well as when you finish painting - you don’t want old colour coming off when you’re painting!

Try not to get the wooden handles wet, although a quick scrub to get off dried paint is fine.

If the paint dries onto the blade, you will need to scrape it off – be careful not to damage it if this happens.

Made something amazing with a palette knife? We would love to see it! Show us your art on our Facebook and Pinterest pages or tag us with @riotartandcraft on Instagram. Need some inspiration? Check out our Youtube and Vimeo channels for heaps of great ideas!