Phoenix palette knives set

Mix, spread, and texture with the right blade

A palette knife makes marks no brush can match. It lays down smooth, flat colour, cuts crisp edges, and builds thick ridges of paint that catch the light. It’s also the cleanest way to mix colour on a palette, since steel doesn’t soak up pigment the way bristles do.

This 5-piece Phoenix set gives you five blade shapes, so you can match the tool to the job. Phoenix has been making artist canvas and painting materials since 1988, and its knives are built for everyday studio use. The stainless steel blades flex under pressure and spring back, which gives you control whether you’re spreading a large wash of colour or placing a thin line.

What’s in the set

• 5 palette knives with different blade shapes and sizes

Why you’ll like it

• Stainless steel blades that resist wear and corrosion
• Flexible blades that bend under pressure and spring back
• Five shapes in one set, for different marks and techniques
• Clean mixing of colours on a palette
• Easy to wipe clean between colours
• Suitable for oil and acrylic paint
• From Phoenix, a long-established maker of artist materials
• A good-value set for students, hobbyists, and professionals

Great for

• Impasto and heavily textured paintings
• Mixing colours before and during painting
• Spreading large areas of colour and building backgrounds
• Sharp edges, thin lines, and geometric shapes
• Scraping back and scratching into wet paint (sgraffito)
• Cleaning and scraping a palette
• Applying gesso, texture paste, and modelling paste
• Mixed media and collage work

How to use

1. Pick up paint on the underside of the blade, not the tip.
2. Press and drag the blade across the surface to spread colour in a smooth, flat layer.
3. Use the edge for sharp lines and the flat of the blade for broad, even coverage.
4. Lift and press to create ridges and texture, and vary the pressure for different effects.
5. Scrape back wet paint to reveal the layer underneath, or to correct a mistake.
6. Wipe the blade clean with a cloth or paper towel between colours to keep your mixes clean.

Care tips

1. Wipe the blades clean while the paint is still wet, since dried paint is harder to remove.
2. Wash with a little warm water and mild soap, and dry them straight away.
3. Avoid soaking the knives for long periods, and don’t put them in a dishwasher or use very hot water.
4. For dried acrylic, soften it with a little water and gently peel or scrape it off.
5. Store the knives flat or in a case so the blades stay straight and the tips stay safe.
6. Don’t use the knives for prying or cutting, since this can bend the blades.

• Palette knives are not sharp like kitchen knives, but the tips can be pointed, so handle them with care.
• Try each blade on a spare sheet to see what mark it makes before you start your painting.
• Keep out of reach of young children.