The Power of Impasto: Adding Depth and Energy to Your Paintings
Something is captivating about running your fingers over the surface of a painting and feeling the depth beneath your touch. (Don't do that in a museum! :) ) Texture in painting invites not just the eyes but also the hands to experience art in a new way. It adds another dimension, transforming a flat surface into something dynamic, something that tells a story before color or composition even comes into play.
Lately, I’ve been exploring texture in my own artwork, particularly through the use of textured paste. Unlike traditional painting where depth is implied through shading and perspective, textured paste allows for physical depth. The process is both playful and unpredictable—building layers, scraping away, and letting shapes emerge organically.
I love how this method forces me to slow down and observe. Instead of trying to control every detail, I have to respond to what appears. Sometimes, a pattern in the texture suggests a figure or a landscape. Other times, it’s purely abstract, a rhythm of raised and recessed areas that catch the light differently depending on the angle.
There’s something profoundly spiritual about this process. It mirrors life in many ways—how we build upon our experiences, how unexpected moments shape us, how beauty often emerges from the unplanned. I’m reminded that creativity isn’t about perfection but about discovery.
If you’ve never tried working with texture in your art, I highly recommend it. Start with something simple: mix some gesso with sand, use a palette knife to spread molding paste, or press different objects into the surface before the paint dries. Let go of expectations and see what takes shape.
Techniques and Materials
If you're interested in trying textured painting yourself, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Materials for Impasto and Texture Work
Texture can be achieved using a variety of materials, each offering a unique effect. Here are some options to explore:
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Materials You’ll Need::
Liquitex Modeling Paste – Great for thick, sculptural texture.
Golden Heavy Gel Medium – A versatile option for adding depth.
Princeton Catalyst Palette Knives – Perfect for spreading and scraping.
Amsterdam Acrylic Paints – Rich pigments that work beautifully over texture.
Step-by-Step Process:
Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash
Prepare Your Surface – Apply a thin layer of gesso to your canvas or wood panel and let it dry.
Build Texture – Use a palette knife to spread textured paste across the surface. Experiment with thick and thin applications, creating patterns and marks.
Let It Dry – Depending on the paste, drying can take a few hours to overnight.
Add Color – Start with washes of acrylic paint, letting them settle into the crevices.
Layer and Scrape – Use a palette knife to add more paint, scrape sections away, and reveal hidden details.
Refine Your Vision – Step back and see what shapes emerge. You can emphasize details with additional colors and highlights.
Seal Your Work – Once satisfied, apply a varnish or clear sealant to protect your painting.
Why Texture Matters
Texture adds more than just visual interest—it evokes emotion. Rough, jagged textures can convey movement and raw energy, while smoother, more delicate textures create a sense of calm and fluidity. I find that texture helps to tell a story, often making the painting feel alive, as if it has its own history built into its layers.
Getting Started with Quality Materials
Photo by Mike Petrucci on Unsplash
If you’re looking for reliable, high-quality materials to start painting, here are some of my top recommendations:
Materials:
Photo by Austrian National Library on Unsplash
Inviting Others into the Process
Part of the joy of textured painting is sharing the process with others. I love hearing what people see in my work—how they interpret the forms that emerge, what emotions the textures evoke in them. It reminds me that art is a conversation, one that continues long after the final brushstroke.
As I continue exploring this technique, I’m excited to see where it leads. Each painting feels like a new adventure, an opportunity to embrace both the seen and unseen elements that texture brings. If you’ve ever been curious about adding texture to your own artwork, I encourage you to experiment—there’s a whole world waiting beneath the surface.
What about you? Have you ever experimented with texture in your art? Or is there an aspect of creativity that reminds you of life’s unpredictable beauty? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I truly love and use. Thank you for supporting my blog!
