Overview
This lecture explains the concept of texture as an element of art, covering its main types, purposes, and ways to incorporate it into artwork.
What is Texture in Art?
- Texture refers to how an object feels to the touch or how it looks like it would feel.
- Texture is one of the seven elements of art.
- It can be depicted visually or created physically on an artwork.
Types of Texture
- There are four main types: actual, implied, invented, and abstract texture.
Actual Texture
- Also called literal texture, it is physically present in the artwork.
- Created by using real materials or mixed media (e.g., denim for denim shorts, sand mixed in paint).
- Techniques include collage, layering paint (impasto), and sculpting methods (pinching, pressing, scraping).
- The impasto technique involves thick paint applied to create raised, tactile surfaces.
Implied Texture
- Also known as visual or simulated texture, it is the illusion of texture without physical substance.
- Examples include hyper-realistic and photorealistic paintings that only appear textured but are not tactile.
Invented Texture
- Artist-created textures that do not correspond to real-world objects.
- Example: using an unusual or non-existent texture for a familiar object.
- Vantablack is a man-made material providing an extreme visual effect, considered a form of invented texture.
Abstract Texture
- Uses real textures out of their usual context to create new meanings or emotions.
- Known as juxtaposition; for example, adding scales to a bunny or fur to a teacup.
- Seen in surrealist art or stylized works like video games (e.g., Kirby’s Epic Yarn).
Using Texture in Art
- Texture adds feeling, contrast, and uniqueness to artwork.
- Playing with different textures can help artists develop new styles or emotional impacts in their work.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Texture — the quality of an object's surface, either tactile or visual.
- Actual Texture — texture physically present on the artwork.
- Implied Texture — an illusion of texture with no physical presence.
- Invented Texture — an artist-made texture not found in reality.
- Abstract Texture — using real textures in unusual or out-of-context ways (juxtaposition).
- Impasto — a painting technique where paint is applied thickly to create a textured surface.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Experiment with actual textures using different materials or impasto techniques.
- Try drawing or painting using invented or abstract textures.
- Teachers: access supplementary worksheets and resources on the website.