On a knife’s edge

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

■ Add texture to your paintings using knives

■ The materials and techniques for adding collage elements to your acrylic paintings

■ Know what your materials can do for you

I’ve been working with palette knives and oil paints for some years now, but only recently decided to combine knife work with collage. Acrylics rather than oil is a more appropriate medium when applied over paper collage, as oil and solvents from oil paint can cause the applied paper to degrade over time.

The choice of subject helps to dictate the type of approach needed when applying collage materials. I like to collect all types of brochures and publicity pamphlets, which are kept together in a folder for use when creating artwork. I’ve produced quite a few pieces based around the Yorkshire and Northumberland coast so it’s useful when visiting this area to add to my collection of tourist guides