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New video tutorial
These techniques and many more are featured in my new
video tutorial Unconventional Oil Techniques, which follows
the development of the three dinosaur paintings in this
article, as well as the black-and-white practice exercises.
The video is available both as a digital download at
gum.co/oiltechniques or on a DVD at Amazon. Thomas
Kegler says: “This is one of James’ fi nest tutorials yet,
perfect for the beginner and advanced alike. James has a
way of conveying concepts and techniques that is second
to none. His clear instruction is reinforced with multiple
modes of explanation, from practice demonstrations to
direct application in the fi nal work.”
Knife Edging
Most people associate “palette knife painting” with the look of thick impasto and broad
handling. But it’s a tool that can also deliver ne lines, smooth gradations, and delicate
textures. By loading the edge of the knife and dragging it lightly along, you can achieve
a very thin stroke. is technique is helpful for achieving a slightly uneven line, ideal for
painting fur, thin branches and palm leaves.
Knife Blend
Most artists use a brush for blending colors on the painting, but the knife works well
for this purpose, too. With a little practice, you can get a smoother gradation with
a knife than you can get with a brush. French academic painter William-Adolphe
Bouguereau (1825-1905) used a painting knife to achieve his enamel-like surfaces.
Observers noted that he would rough in a passage with a brush and then smooth the
paint with the painting knife.
T. rex vs. Edmontosaurus, oil on board, 9 x 19" (23 x 48 cm)
An encounter like this is based on fossil evidence of healed bite marks that scientists have found in the tail area of the hadrosaur. The scene takes place on a
well-trampled wildlife trail in a forest of Araucaria, or monkey puzzle tree. I achieve the texture of those tree trunks with a glazed impasto. This idea is similar to
pre-texturing, but it’s done in the oil stage rather than the acrylic priming stage. I blend sky colors using a painting knife, not a brush.
What is a palette knife?
A palette knife is a blunt metal blade attached to the end of
a wooden handle. In older-style palette knives, the blade is
made of a long fl exible steel blade aligned with the handle. The
majority of knives nowadays are off set to keep your knuckles
out of the paint. I prefer to use heart-shaped or triangular
shaped designs with straight sides that taper to a rounded tip.
They’re useful both for mixing paint on the palette (where it’s
known as a “palette knife”) and for applying it to the canvas
(where it becomes a “painting knife”). Because it doesn’t hold
onto paint the way a brush does, the knife has unique value as
a painting tool. It can be completely cleaned off quickly with a
rag, letting you change colors quickly.
barré
(Barré)
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