I love painting animals. I painted a 6x6 version of these guys with a brush a while back but wasn't satisfied with the outcome. I am much more pleased with this effort done entirely with a palette knife. This reference photo entitled "Bandits", comes courtesy of Lenora Melville from www.paintmyphoto.ning.com. Thanks Lenora!

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12x12 palette knife oil painting on gallery wrap canvas.

Started this one late last night, but after 2 hours, it was a total wipe off. I had to convince myself after last nights failure that I could paint this and do it justice, so went to work again today using the canvas I had wiped off. having done this, the canvas was left with a nice earthy tone that I was happy with. I usually start out the same way, painting the darkest part first, then doing the lightest light. While with a knife I often have to go back when I am done to redo the lights, it sets up the mood for the painting. The background was a lot busier in the original photo, so I did what I could to simplify it. I have been consciously trying to restrict the number of colors I use with each painting, this one is mostly terra rosa, ultramarine, veridian and white.

Took this photo a while ago at McConnell's Mill State Park just north of Butler, PA. It was a favorite spot of mine while in college, but took this about 5 years ago on a hike with an old college friend. This is the uppermost part of the cascade. While there is not a lot of water flowing over this falls, the rock field at the bottom of the falls was immense.

I have usually been doing more small paintings with a palette knife on gesso board but have done 2 this week on canvas. For me, the experience is completely different. With gesso board, I enjoy laying down each stroke independently without much blending. When working with the canvas you have a good opportunity to overlay colors and blend much like you would with a brush. Thanks for looking.