Impasto is a painting technique where paint is applied thickly to a surface, making the brush or painting knife strokes visible
. The term "impasto" comes from Italian, meaning "dough" or "mixture"
. Key aspects of impasto:
- Technique Impasto involves applying paint in thick layers to create a three-dimensional effect on the canvas
- Materials Oil paint is typically used for impasto because of its consistency and slow drying time, but acrylic paint can be used as well by adding heavy body acrylic gels
- Visual Effects Impasto gives texture to a painting and adds dimension to the artwork
. The technique allows light to reflect in a unique way, giving the artist control over the painting. It adds expressiveness, allowing the viewer to see the strength and speed with which the artist applied the paint
- Aesthetic Some artists use impasto to emphasize certain elements, while others cover the entire canvas for a ripple effect
- Notable Artists Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Diego Velázquez, Vincent van Gogh, Willem de Kooning, Claude Monet and Frank Auerbach have made use of impasto techniques in their works
