ARTMiE Palette Knives

Do You Use Palette Knives When Painting?

Palette knife, painting knife, painting spatula… What do you call it? This is one tool you simply can't do without in the studio. It consists of a wooden handle and a metal blade in various shapes. Besides applying paint to the canvas, you can use it to remove excess paint, create scraped effects, scoop paint or medium out of a jar, and more.

There is no official classification of palette knives, as there is for brushes, but they can be grouped by shape into round, straight, angled, and pointed. Each shape creates a different effect on canvas and gives your painting its own character.

ARTMiE Palette Knives – Made in Italy from stainless steel, with wooden handles, and available in more than 70 shapes. In our new series of ARTMiE palette knives, alongside the classic shapes you already know, you'll find many new ones designed for both painters and hobbyists.

If you're new to palette knives and aren't sure which one to choose first, we recommend this versatile classic:

TIP: You can use palette knives with oil paints and acrylic paints. If your acrylic paint is too runny to hold a raised texture and flattens out after you apply it, try adding acrylic gel medium or acrylic paste to the paint.

TIP: After painting, clean the palette knives by wiping the paint off with a cloth while it is still wet. Never put your palette knives away dirty. Dried paint is hard to remove, and buildup on the blade reduces its flexibility.

ONE MORE TIP: Be careful! Painting knives can be sharp! When working vigorously, take care not to damage the canvas with an awkward stroke.

Which ARTMiE palette knife caught your eye?