Textured Surfaces

The word impasto means "mixture" in Italian. In painting, it refers to a technique in which artists create depth by placing thick layers of paint on top of each other, using a brush or a knife. Oil paint, which takes a long time to dry, and acrylic paint, which dries much faster, are the two types of paint best suited to this technique. Impasto often requires the use of a large amount of paint, and artists sometimes even mix their colors directly on the easel  This technique gives the artwork texture and a multi-dimensional appearance, creating art that is somewhat a mix between painting and sculpture. It also gives an impression of movement, as the viewer can more easily observe the artist's brushstrokes. The depth of the painting also means that light's reflection onto it will vary, depending on the location of the layers, drawing the viewer's eye to different areas of the painting.

Under the impetus of the painter Giorgione, impasto was first used on an ad hoc basis by Venetian Renaissance painters. Artists such as Titian used the technique to highlight the folds of clothing, jewellery and other bright elements within their compositions. It was adopted more widely by Baroque painters such as Rembrandt and Velázquez, but especially later by the Impressionists, for whom impasto allowed them to depict their feelings and emotions on the canvas. The technique generated world-famous masterpieces, such as Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. Today, many contemporary artists, especially expressionists, use impasto to create both abstract and figurative works. Of particular note is the art of Jackson Pollock and Frank Auerbach, who are well known for their original and recognizable impasto techniques. Artsper presents artists who use impasto and whose uniquely textured works are sure to catch your eye.