When most artists think of a palette knife, they picture thick oil or acrylic paint being sculpted onto a canvas. But did you know that you can use a palette knife with watercolor too? It’s an exciting way to add texture, depth, and spontaneity to your paintings—while keeping that beautiful, fluid watercolor look.
If you’re looking for a way to loosen up your style, embrace imperfections, and create bold, expressive marks, then working with a palette knife in watercolor is something you’ll love trying.
Why Try Palette Knife Watercolor Painting?
Using a palette knife with watercolor breaks all the traditional rules, and that’s exactly what makes it fun! Instead of relying on a brush for every detail, a palette knife helps you:
🎨 Create Texture – Scraping, dragging, and layering paint results in unique textures that are hard to achieve with a brush alone.
🎨 Loosen Up – If you tend to overwork your paintings, a palette knife forces you to embrace spontaneity and let the paint flow.
🎨 Mix Colors Differently – Instead of carefully blending on the palette, you can mix directly on the paper, leading to unexpected and beautiful color variations.
🎨 Add Bold Contrast – Palette knives allow for sharp edges and crisp highlights that make elements pop.
It’s a perfect way to break out of a creative rut and experiment with new techniques that add life to your artwork.
How to Use a Palette Knife with Watercolors
Unlike acrylic or oil painting, where you apply thick layers, using a palette knife in watercolor is a bit different. Here are some simple ways to start experimenting:
1. Scraping and Lifting
- Apply a wet wash of color to your paper.
- While it's still damp, use the edge of the knife to lift paint, creating highlights and texture.
- This works great for water reflections, rocky textures, or soft tree bark.
2. Applying Pigment with a Knife
- Instead of using a brush, scoop up thick watercolor (or gouache) with the flat part of the knife and press it onto the paper.
- This creates sharp edges and unexpected shapes that add contrast to your painting.
3. Dragging for Soft Blends
- Load a small amount of paint onto the tip of the knife.
- Gently drag it across a wet area, letting the pigment mix naturally with the water.
- This creates soft blends with rich texture—great for misty landscapes or abstract florals.
4. Sgraffito (Scratching into the Paint)
- When the paint is still wet, use the tip of the knife to scratch in details like branches, grass, or waves.
- This reveals the white paper underneath, adding contrast and depth.
What to Expect When Trying This Technique
The first time you try using a palette knife with watercolor, it might feel a little unpredictable—and that’s okay! Unlike controlled brushwork, this technique relies on spontaneity. Some areas may turn out beautifully, while others might surprise you in unexpected ways.
But that’s what makes it fun! It helps you let go of perfection and trust the natural movement of water and pigment.
A Fun Exercise to Try
If you’re curious about palette knife watercolor painting, try this:
1️⃣ Wet your paper and add a loose background wash.
2️⃣ Use a palette knife to scrape in trees, rocks, or abstract textures.
3️⃣ Let the water and pigment mix naturally without overworking it.
4️⃣ Once dry, go back in with a brush for any final details.
This is a great way to practice control while allowing for happy accidents—a key part of expressive watercolor painting.
Want to Learn More?
If you're excited to explore palette knife watercolor painting, I’ve put together a course that dives deeper into these techniques. In it, I’ll guide you step by step through creating expressive landscapes, textures, and details using both a palette knife and traditional watercolor methods. Plus, as a bonus, I’ve included a fun mushroom painting demo to help you practice! Whether you're new to watercolor or looking to loosen up your style, this course will give you the tools and confidence to paint more freely and creatively.
