Sunday, January 19, 2014

Five Things I Know So Far about Acrylic Palette Knife Painting


Acrylic with Palette Knife, 8x10"

 "You can't hurry art..."  Like this one--this one took two days of my spare time to complete.  I've actually painted from this photo before, with brushes, oil paints, and the help of a teacher.  Yesterday, I was staring at the GOBS of leftover paint I had on the palette from doing the quilt painting.  I recognized that the palette was perfect for this reference photo!  Of course, I couldn't find the earlier version of the painting until today, so I didn't have the benefit of what I had learned the first time until round two, today.

This kitchen belongs to one of my blog readers.  Extra points to you if you figure out it's yours!  Don't worry, though, if you don't figure it out.  I just got my artistic license, and I used a lot of it with this painting...

I missed a few days of the 30 in 30.  I wasn't feeling well, and needed downtime with my family.  But don't feel bad for me--I'm not mad at myself or anything.  In fact, yesterday I bought myself some presents as rewards for what I have accomplished so far.  I am now the proud owner of a new ArtByte from DPW and two out-of-print art books from Amazon.  I respond well to rewards!  I'm so encouraged, I'm going to continue to paint--maybe I'll deserve even more...

This is the most ambitious palette knife painting I have completed.  Here is what I have learned so far about Acrylic Palette Knife painting:

1) Use medium!  I am still experimenting to determine my favorite medium--what I do know for sure is that medium adds body to the paint, which makes the paint behave better for palette knife painting.  As a bonus, the medium really stretches the paint!

2)  The paint stays wet a long time.  I have to learn to use wet-on-wet techniques, for at least part of what I am doing.  I am used to wet-on-dry!

3)  And when the paint does dry, those palette knife ridges can sometimes get in the way of what I need to do next!  I don't mind any of the ridges once the painting is complete--the ridges are just a function of having used a knife.  But the ridges can be tough to work with when I still want to do some overpainting.

4)  Sometimes I want to use a brush in the middle of the palette knife painting.  So I do.  And that's ok.  Except when it's not.  And then I can fix it.  

5)  I have a lot to learn about Acrylic Palette Knife Painting, but am so excited to practice and learn.

Thanks for visiting and Watching!


17 comments:

Cathy Engberg said...

I like your light and airy composition! Wonderful color!

Anne Winthrop Cordin said...

I love the colors you chose for this painting, as well as the shifted perspective. It works for me, delightful!

carol edan said...

Oh great I am the first!!!! I really LOVE this painting.... the symmetry of the blocks and the way your eye leads up to the window... Yes there is a lot to learn using the palette knife.... with oils --no medium--- the dryer the better... I also ordered a book from Book Depository, which Amazon also owns,they have free shipping world wide.....

Jerry Stocks said...

This is a fantastic painting, and I love it.

Meredith Adler said...

Thank you, Cathy! I'm glad you are home and painting again...

Ann, thank you so much, I really appreciate your being here, and your kind words. You have the most amazing theme for your 30 in 30! I hope everyone here goes and sees what you are doing...

Thanks, Carol, although not the first--since the emails come to me to moderate, and I hadn't published the comments yet, you just didn't know there were other comments already! Thanks for your compliments and support...

Jerry! Thank you! So happy you are here. Are you back from your workshop?

Bhavani said...

Glad to see you back Meredith and feeling better :)... This is a lovely painting.. Beautiful colors with a soft light coming in thru the window. Very inviting scene.

Barbara Pask said...

Very interesting and your values are great. So sorry you haven't been feeling well, you deserve your new goodies. We always deserve new painting goodies, lol

Meredith Adler said...

Thanks, Bhavani, I am glad to be back. I appreciate what you said about my painting!

Thanks, Barbara, your comments mean so much to me. Yes, we deserve all the painting goodies we want--they do help us with our painting, after all!

Sharon L. Graves said...

Love this and I think I'm getting extra points cause this looks like my kitchen. Too fun. Love what you've done with the place. I thought about painting it myself the other day.

Meredith Adler said...

Thanks, Sharon--but not your kitchen! Let's see you paint yours, though!!!

Carol DeMumbrum said...

Wonderful texture in your paintings, Meredith! Love this! I am so glad you visited my blog, so I could in return visit yours and see your beautiful work. Lovely!!

Meredith Adler said...

Thanks for your kind comment, Carol, and I appreciate your stopping by...

Bill Whitworth said...

I know its been said several times, but I really, really like the natural light in the window. Makes me want to stand at that sink and see whats outside!

Meredith Adler said...

Thanks so much, Bill!

paintingbythelake said...

Meredith - Love what you are doing with the palette knife...love the colors in this one as well

Meredith Adler said...

Thanks, Marcia!!

juliefordoliver.blogspot.com said...

Love this painting!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...