What materials does Niki Purcell use?
Niki Purcell paints exclusively in oils. She works on board, canvas and wooden panel, choosing the surface depending on the scale and texture a particular painting needs.
A signature colour
In 2023, Niki was invited to design an original paint colour for Curator, the artist-led paint range created by Colour Trend Paints. The range takes its inspiration from the colours that shape the work of Irish creatives, and is sold across Ireland, the UK and the US. The colour Niki designed, “Rolling Harvest,” draws on the tones of the Wicklow and Wexford landscape she paints every day.
Palette knife and brush
Depending on the painting, Niki moves between brush and palette knife — the knife in particular for capturing the weight and texture of storm cloud, water and rock, laying paint on in a way that keeps the surface of the painting alive and physical rather than smoothed flat.
Working on multiple paintings at once
Niki typically has several paintings underway in the studio at the same time. Working this way keeps her eye fresh: moving between pieces stops any one painting from becoming overworked, and keeps the energy of the first marks visible in the finished work.
Related: her process, from sketch to finished painting · her training and background