Art Journal

Here's the third painting I did at the palette knife painting workshop. This was also from one of the teacher's sample photos. Here I also used the putty knife and some larger blades. A large flat blade is especially good for architectural subjects. I'm not sure this one was exactly too successful. If I did it over I'd change some things. The important thing I learned from this class is that I forget to use the palette knife a lot of the time when it would really be helpful. Forcing me to use it for the whole painting gave me some practice in using it where I wouldn't normally use it, which might make me think about it more when I am actually out painting.  Also it reminded me that variety is very important, something Derek Penix emphasized when I took a class with him a couple years ago. It is sooo easy to not have enough variety, in color, lights and darks, and in the shape of my mark making. Even with using only a palette knife this variety is important. Also the color is often more pure and brighter when using a palette knife which is another advantage. It's not diluted by a partly dirty brush or slightly dirty solvent.

Barn, 10 x 10