In this article we will detail what the impasto painting technique in art is and define impasto technique. We will also look at the impasto painting technique on the examples of the works of famous artists.
What is impasto painting?
An impasto painting technique in art is found in the works of famous artists of different eras. The technique was used by the Impressionists and Expressionists.Impasto is a painting technique in which paints are applied in thick layers to enhance the effect of texture and light. Usually, paint is applied to the surface with brushes or a palette knife, and sometimes with a spatula.
Strokes of paint with such an overlay do not look perfectly even, which gives special originality to the image. Due to such an uneven and imperfect texture, artists can achieve various effects in their work, add volume, and experiment with chiaroscuro.
Over its centuries-old history, the impasto drawing technique has acquired various shapes, and it has even become possible to draw pasty in different ways! Paints can be applied thickly. For this, coarse and broad strokes are applicable.
If you are working with a palette knife, traces of it should remain on the paint, so the picture will look more textured and embossed. You can draw with strokes. You have probably seen this technique when the paint looks like a wave crest. This effect can be achieved by working with a palette knife, patting it on the surface of the canvas, and tearing it off, leaving a trail of characteristic "scallops".
Rounding strokes will be appropriate. This technique was often used by Vincent van Gogh when a round brush makes arched strokes.
Some artists use the impasto technique for separate elements in their paintings, and some paint the entire work in such an impasto technique. The technique differs in techniques, certain features, and effects.
Examples of impasto painting in art
In the impasto technique, they do not draw with glazes and do not create transparent layers. The most popular is an impasto oil painting, tempera, and acrylic impasto painting. Smears are applied in a thick, paste-like layer.The textured surface of the impasto helps create a 3D surface in the painting, which holds back the light and helps create shadows that enhance the three-dimensional effect. With impasto painting with acrylics or oil painting impasto, you can achieve a lively, sculptural image, convey the form and focus on it.
Visually, such paintings will stand out in the interior. This effect looks especially interesting in works where there are various textures: stone, wood, water and sea waves, and flowers. The impasto oil painting technique has many interesting tricks.
One of the most famous artists who fell in love with this technique was Vincent van Gogh with his painting "Starry Night".
