Chasing Texture

Texture is a tricky thing. Sometimes you just want to give the illusion of texture, other times you want a textural masterpiece that makes the viewer want to run their hands over it (maybe not that close but you know what I mean!).

Here are three top tips to create some texture in your piece:

Layers

Layers help build up the story and interest of the piece and here are some ways you can work these in:

– different colours overlapping each other. You could consider contrasting colours to build some depth and focus

– saturated vs unsaturated colours to bring some areas forward and push others back. (Saturated are the stronger, brighter colours and the truest form of the colour vs unsaturated colours which have been mixed with other colours to soften them, e.g. it could be with black, white or the opposite colour on the colour wheel.)

– leave some areas of a layer exposed or scratch through the top later to expose part of what’s underneath

– use different tools to create different marks

– thicker layers of paint vs thinner layers or washes

– sand back the piece if you’ve enough layers added to reveal older layers in a different way. Note: watch the sanding especially on canvas – I tried it once and went through the canvas. Also it should be done in a well ventilated space so you’re not breathing in all those paint particles

Collage is something I’m still only dabbling with but it’s an absolutely fantastic way to add texture.

Collage

Things to consider:

– the type and thickness of the collage paper

– tear pattern to create rough or smooth edges

– what’s on the collage itself can add up interesting patterns and texture opportunities

Mediums

I’m talking about for acrylic paint here but there are loads of different mediums like modelling paste you can add to the paint to add some textures to your work 

I’d love to hear your ideas for creating texture!