Painting With Palette Knife I

Painting with a palette knife has a very long history. As early as the 18th century, artists such as Rembrandt and Francisco Goya, 19th century, Gustave Courbet and Paul Cezanne and in the 20th century, Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse, just to name a few, used a palette knife in the creation of their paintings.

I discovered the palette knife through teaching, when in a desperate attempt to make some of my student’s be more loose in depicting their subject matter I introduced them to the palette knife. Many of them embraced the technique quite easily and some did not. However this action resulted with me falling in love with palette knife painting.

My usual approach is very representational and therefore realistic. I have found that many hours of concentrated effort with brushes and many layers of glazes have been replaced by the rather fast work of a palette knife. How refreshing!

My signature artwork Fantastic Realism, is demanding and emotional. Because of this I enjoy from time to time changing themes, picking up the palette knife and painting some beautiful scenery and landscapes referenced from my extensive travels around the world while conducting art tours. I then re-live my beautiful experiences again through my paintings.

I regularly run workshops, teaching students and artists how to use palette knife. You can find more information about them on my website under classes & workshops.

NZ, South Island, $1,200

WA, Margaret River, $1,500, SOLD