Palette Knife Watercolor Techniques for Stunning Texture Effects

Are you looking to try something fun and a little different in your watercolor journey?

Let me show you how to use a palette knife to create amazing textures and effects in watercolor painting.

This easy-to-follow tutorial is packed with ideas I've tried myself, and you'll see how much fun it can be to mix things up with this versatile tool.

Getting Started with Your Palette Knife and Watercolor Tools

Before we begin, let me walk you through the supplies I use in this tutorial:

• Watercolor set: I use the Winsor & Newton Cotman fieldset. I also have tube paints: Payne's Gray, Burnt Umber, and Purple Lake.
• Palette knives: I use a small one and some with textured edges.
• Spray bottle: For spreading and activating watercolor paint.
• Watercolor paper: Cold-pressed or rough texture works great.
• Brush and water container: To wet the paper and clean the tools.
• Paper towel or rag: To blot and control moisture.

Now that you're set up, let's explore different ways to use the palette knife with watercolor.

Technique 1: Wet-on-Dry Application with a Palette Knife

This is the first method I tried with the palette knife, and it instantly became a favorite. I start by squeezing out some paint into my palette. 

Then I use a small palette knife to apply thick paint directly onto dry paper. This is perfect for adding bold, textured lines, especially if you want to suggest things like tree trunks or twigs.

Just a tiny bit of paint on the knife goes a long way. When I drag the knife across the paper, it behaves a lot like acrylic paint, creating rough textures and impasto-style blobs. 

You can use the flat edge of the knife or the tip to make different types of lines and strokes.

Want to get more creative? Try palette knives with textured edges. They let you make even more unique marks—just play around and have fun with them.

To explore how watercolor reacts, I spray a bit of water over this section. I use five sprays to keep it consistent.

You’ll notice how the pigment spreads—just enough to be interesting but not so much that it loses definition. This is the magic of wet-on-dry + spray.

Technique 2: Wet-on-Wet Palette Knife Application

Now, let's see what happens when I switch to wet-on-wet. I saturate the paper first with clean water using a brush. 

Once it's moist and ready, I load the knife again with some paint and apply it the same way.

Right away, the paint disperses much faster. It softens and spreads, but you still see texture in certain areas. 

When I add thicker blobs and rub them out a bit, it creates a softer blend, but the texture isn't completely lost. It behaves very differently from wet-on-dry, which makes this technique so fun.

Technique 3: Scraping into Wet Paint for Texture

Next, I play around with scraping—a fun way to expose the paper underneath or create darker creases.

First, I load the palette knife with tube paint and apply a solid coat to a new area. Then, I use the knife's edge to scrape across the wet paint.

It's a technique borrowed from acrylic painting but works great in watercolor, too.

You can also scrape after using diluted pan paint. In this case, when you scrape into the damp paint, pigment settles into the grooves you create, making those areas darker.

The result? A rich, textured look that's both layered and organic.

So, you lighten or darken your texture depending on when and how you scrape. It's super satisfying to watch it develop as it dries.

Technique 4: Palette Knife Mark Making with Liquid Paint

Now, let's explore one of the most playful parts—mark-making. Here, I treat watercolor like stamp ink. I mix a good puddle of color in my palette and dip the palette knife right into it. 

Then, I stamp the knife onto the paper. This isn't limited to palette knives—you can stamp with almost anything! But palette knives give a sharp, clean edge that's fun to use.

I start with Purple Lake, then switch to Burnt Umber, adding water to loosen it up. By using both colors, I create layered marks that add complexity and rhythm to the piece.

Even when I switch to a flatter palette knife, I can still create lines, though they're less textured than thick tube paint. Still, the knife works well for more controlled, subtle shapes.

At one point, I even add a light wash, then place a darker color into it with the palette knife. The paint spreads and dissolves slowly, like with a brush, but with a different edge.

This combo gives you more freedom to explore soft transitions and unexpected blends.

Technique 5: Blending Brush and Knife Techniques

Here's where things get even more exciting. I combine both tools to create a loose rainbow effect.

I directly load thick paint—Payne's Gray, Burnt Umber, and Purple Lake—onto the palette knife. I don't mix the colors yet. I let them sit thickly on the paper in layers.

Next, I wet the paper below the paint using a clean brush. Then, I gently pull the brush into the painted section, adding water and nudging the colors downward. The paint begins to flow and blend beautifully—each pigment bleeding into the next without turning muddy.

With just three colors, I create a rich, moody rainbow. I even add extra water in certain spots to help it spread further.

The effect is stunning—it's all from letting the pigment and water do their thing.

Final Result: What Dried Palette Knife Watercolor Looks Like

Once everything dries, I step back and take a closer look.

The rainbow section is vibrant and soft, with rich blacks where the paint pooled. It's hard to believe I didn't use any black paint—it just looks that deep because of how the colors blend.

The wet-on-dry section holds its shape better than the wet-on-wet, especially with the tree trunks. There's more definition and texture where I applied dry paint and sprayed. 

Wet-on-wet gives a looser feel, but the structure gets lost more easily.

The mark-making and stamping adds so much character. Each shape has a different rhythm and vibe. 

And finally, the scraping sections show how much contrast and texture you can get just by dragging your knife through wet paint.

If you love expressive techniques or want to break away from traditional brushwork, palette knives open up so many fun and unexpected possibilities in watercolor.

Final Thoughts

Which palette knife technique do you want to try first? Whether it's scraping, stamping, or blending thick paint, there's something here to spark your creativity.

Don't be afraid to experiment—you might be surprised by what you discover. Let me know how it goes, and share your favorite results!