Week 20 - Painting with Knives
Favourites
Favourites are another word for comfortable, easy, and stress free. You know what you're gonna get. That's great, but it can also hold you back, keep you from experiencing something even better. Growth comes from occasionally choosing something different. So, try something new, who knows, it may become your new favourite.
Stepping out of my comfort zone this week. I chose something different, and I liked it. A lot.
I was looking for a different way to apply acrylic paint, so I pulled out my palette knives and silicone pot scraper which were happily on vacation since I finished my oil and cold wax 100/100 series.
Wanting to paint a more "organic" edge, add extra texture and depth, I thought, "Let's give it a try".
Here is the results... similar to using these tools with oil and cold wax, but a little more of a graphic feeling.
Sculpting Cumulonimbus, acrylic on cradled board, 24" x 24"
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My "Tools" - palette knife and silicone pot scraper.
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Switched up to Heavy Body Paints for this one.
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Detail of painting using knives and pot scraper.
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Detail of painting using knives and pot scraper.
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Detail of painting using knives and pot scraper.
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Other Work
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Impassioned Farewell, acrylic on cradled board, 24" x 24" is the new painting I just finished this week prior to my painting with knives above. Brushes and High Flow acrylics were used to paint this one.
It's fun to stir things up. Challenge yourself with something new. I think the knives will be out more often in the future!
Ask the Artists
What's your favourite brush or tool to use when painting?
My go to brushes are both 1" and 2" flats. The bigger the canvas, the bigger the brush. The 1" brushes I use are generic synthetic brushes, usually art store, "house brand", or better. The 2" flat brush I love is the Softacryl by Raphael. They also make a fabulous 2" varnish brush.
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Sheila Davis: My favourite is Robert Simmons titanium brights. Best sizes are the ¾”, 1” and 1. 5” glaze. These are firm synthetics that hold a chisel edge for a long time! Sadly they are not making them anymore. For smaller brushes I now use the Mightlon bright. I sell both these brushes on my website https://www.sheiladavis.ca/brushes.html Instagram link.
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Aili Kurtis: My I mainly use “angle shader” synthetic paintbrushes, any size I can get, short handled or long handled, any brand. I find them excellent for creating leaves and waves. I also use long-handled bigger brushes (1 and 2 inch) to block in a painting. Instagram link.
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Louise Hicks: I used to love my synthetic flats. Still love them but have forced myself to get comfortable with others. Currently using the Classic egbert from Rosemary & Co. It has extra long bristles so I can't get too fussy even if I try. My last plein air was painted entirely with a #6 extra long bristle Egbert and a palette knife. Facebook link.
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Jen Lawton: I am a very lazy clean-up artist, so I use brushes from Dollarama! They come in a package of 5 for $3.50, and I use all sizes, although my favourites are #12, #4 and #2. They are made from acrylic taklon, very soft and smooth, and the hairs don’t fall out easily (although you must watch when you pick up a package, as some of the hairs may be permanently bent). They only come in the “bright” shape, but that’s what I prefer anyways. While working on a painting, I don’t clean each brush daily, but instead wipe off the left-over paint and store the brushes in the freezer until the painting is done. This prevents oil cleaner from eating the bristles and helps keep the brush shape as perfect as possible. When the painting is totally finished, I throw out the brushes and start afresh with new ones for the next painting! Instagram link.
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Brian Buckrell: My favourite brushes are about a one inch synthetic flat. Opus makes a line I like - Legato is probably my favourite. Then it would be Princeton Catalyst and Aspen then Rosemary Ivory. Instagram link.
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Until next week...