Abstract City in the Rain created in Pallet Knife for a Free home Painting Party . One of the Trends I often think I should design to is Rain. This has been an interesting thing that has gone on in a very unexpected way and I believe inspired new art we can all enjoy. I am always looking to give you something exciting, challenging but still easy to paint at a beginner space. These Abstract Cities in Pallet knife are perfect for free acrylic tutorials on youtube. The Painting Party art movement has created some really unexpected design space for artists I wonder if we really understand fully.  In the past I have done daily paintings but now find myself doing 2 and even 3 designs on some days. 

Paint Nite at home allows for some really fun options I did not have when I was teaching at Sip and Paints. Simple knives and colors make this a great beginner painting anyone can do. A small diamond knife and compound angle  knife make quick work of this easy painting. 

A small thought on knives. YES you can use the plastic knives but just like brushes quality will impact your experience. Metal gives us a sharp edge that makes easy work of lines and Edges. Also loading for the stroke is easy. Pallet knives should always be loaded on the side that the stroke will be travel. Stroking right load your bead on the right side. Stroking left Load your bead on the left side. 

Pallet knife paintings can use a lot of paint. Here are some tips and tricks to keep the cost at a minimum and get the best result. If you are using a basic paint - ( artist loft or Basics ) the paint does not hold body very well. If you are using a pro paint ( Golden Artist colors, Liquitex heavy body, Matisse Derivan) You may want to extend the paint to reduce cost. Both of these challenges can be fixed by using a Matte Gel Medium as an extender. You just mix a bit of your paint into the gel half and half. That way you can go twice as far with what you have. Also if you have a deflating paint like Liquitex basics or Artist Loft it will help hold the body of the stroke ( impasto). 

Can a beginner use a pallet knife? I get asked this a lot and the answer is of course YES!!! Yes you can. You must relax in the looseness of the style and let go of perfectionism. However I think we must all let go of perfectionism a little bit. Though I do think a balanced sense of perfection can be a beautiful trait in an artist. No hard and fat answers in art just a long road of self evaluation and Discovery. I wonder if the Paint Night movement had any idea of the creative art renaissance they were creating when they started. How did you find your Way into art? What started you on this Journey.

Art love as Always

The Art Sherpa