San Antonio Riverwalk painting, oil with palette knife


After finishing Grace today, I wanted to do something different... something other than a portrait, I mean. I've been inspired by Ann Reyes and Kathryn Law working more impressionistically with a palette knife and thought I'd have time to try a small painting in the time I had left in the day. This is from a photo I took when my Dad was visiting in April. I had fun painting this! It'll take longer to dry since the paint stands up thickly off the surface, but what the heck. I'm often so stingy with paint that it's therapeutic for me to ladle it on. I bought some new very large tubes of paint from Utrecht to see what all the fuss is about, so I think I'll try to use the palette knife and lay it ON. I've never tried a palette knife portrait, but I can feel one coming on..... Has anyone tried it? What do you think? Show me pictures?

10 comments:

Poetic Painter said...

Your portraits are lovely!

Regina Calton Burchett said...

Glad to see you aren't resting on your laurels! How great that you're trying new things - I've never attemped this, but I like the effects you achieved - your lines are great and the entire piece seems to "grab" you.

Barbara Pask said...

You're brave Susan, this came out great. You say you're a little apprehensive with landscapes and then you go at it with a palette knife. Isn't it fun to just keep trying new things though??

Karen Hargett said...

I love this! You haven't over worked it with the palette knife and has a very nice feel about it. I love the colors and textures on the bridge especially.

Marilyn Moore said...

This is beautiful. Many years ago I did a lighthouse with a pallet knife on a very large canvas. Had fun doing it but after years it cracked. Did something wrong, but never found out what it was.

Dianne Mize said...

Proud of you. This is a fine little piece. Not only are the textures luscious but it's nicely designed. I love those warm and cool blues moving throughout it. Way to go. And can't wait to see your first palette knife portrait.

Jo Castillo said...

Susan, this is great. Just enough detail to hold the eye. I am anxious for the portrait with the knife.

Ann Reyes said...

Very nice painting, Susan!! I'm proud of you to try the palette knife. What beautiful colors! Isn't it fun!

I'm eager to see a portrait. I don't think I've done a portrait entirely with a palette knife, but that's an idea...maybe another self-portrait. I'll be watching for your next one...

Susan Carlin said...

Oh, gosh... well, now I guess I'd better get busy. Yesterday I didn't paint at all because a new artist just joined the gallery and I spent the day orienting Ilze. I'll put up a link to her work soon. I love and appreciate the encouragement you each give me. Thank you. I'll go look for a reference photo right this minute!

"JeanneG" said...

Years ago when I took oil painting lessons, one of our class projects was a small pallet knife floral. It turned out better than I thought it would, and I learned a lot. Would not try a portrait tho, and on mine I signed my name with a toothpick not the pallet knife.