Artist Statement

For me, the palette knife is an ideal tool. I enjoy the sensation of applying thick buttery paints to the canvas. Painting with the knife is initially trickier than using a brush but one can achieve the suggestion of movement and changing light by adding textures which can be thin or ridged. The paint stand outs and encourages a lively and impressionistic treatment as well as capable of achieving fine detail. This exciting contrast of scale adds greatly to the impact of the painting.

One can work the colors into each other wet-on-wet, the paint can be applied in broad sweeps with the flat of the knife, or use the tip to get sharp, angular marks. You can draw the edge of the knife to create a series of delicate lines and ridges. Use very light pressure when painting the masts of ships or use the tip of the knife to apply a thick impasto to create a three dimensional effect for flowers. Impasto technique is often used while painting “Alla Prima.”

Painting “Alla Prima” (an Italian expression meaning “at the first”) describes a technique in which the painting is completed in one session instead of being built up layer by layer. One of the great advantages of “Alla Prima” painting is that it creates an extremely stable paint surface.

The ability to apply paint quickly and confidently is the key to the “Alla Prima” approach. It is therefore very important to start with a clear idea in your mind what you want to convey and work with a limited palette, and not be tempted to include any unnecessary details.

Bio

James Pratt was born in Wellington New Zealand. He lives and works in Charleston, South Carolina as well as spends time at their home in Southern France.

James was introduced to art at young age by his father, a very accomplished artist. His life has always been involved with design and creativity. James worked as an International Marketing Director while in New Zealand and the USA before beginning his professional art career. “I am blessed to have this profession and it was possible through the help of my wife Beverly who has worked to allow me this working environment.”

James has moved in several directions from watercolors to oils. As did the masters, he uses only the three primary colors; blue, red and yellow and uses only a palette knife to set his scenes.

Now that he has a home in Southern France, he spends time traveling to the market places, villages, sea ports and cafes throughout Europe where he carefully composes the scenes through the lens of his digital camera and then sketches the mood and scenes in watercolor. Upon retuning to his studio’s he puts palette knife to canvas.

As a prominent fine art collector writes: “The work is very full of life and color and causes the viewer to feel inspired to want to travel, visit and have this kind of an experience. If not actually travel, than to enjoy that special adventure, vicariously, through the paintings that you have created.”

James currently conducts special painting demonstrations and sells his work on the “Fine Art Connoisseurs - P & O cruises.” His work hangs in private and public collections throughout the United States, UK, France, Australia and New Zealand.