Summary
Highlights
Texture is one of the seven elements of art, defined as the look or feel of a surface. It can be either actual or implied. Actual texture, like the bronze in a Giacometti sculpture, can be physically felt. Implied textures are purely visual, such as the varied textures of skin and hair in a Chuck Close portrait, which would feel smooth if touched due to the oil paint.
Artists use numerous techniques to create implied textures. Roy De Forest's painting uses zigzag lines for hair, cross-hatching for skin, and blurred colors for other effects. Gustav Klimt's painting utilizes repeated shapes like triangles, lines, spirals, circles, and rectangles to build various textures within the piece.
Even traditionally two-dimensional art forms like paintings can have actual texture. Artists sometimes apply paint so thickly it becomes three-dimensional and sculptural. They can also incorporate fabrics, textiles, jewelry, and other objects onto the canvas to create additional tactile experiences.
Artists frequently highlight the natural textures of their materials or create unique textures by hand. Regardless of the method, texture serves as a powerful expressive tool that artists use to reinforce and convey their overall messages. Viewers are encouraged to consider incorporating textures that are relevant and important into their own artistic creations.
Art often engages senses beyond sight, and artists utilize texture to stimulate the viewer's sense of touch. Whether art is meant to be touched or not, artists carefully consider and create different textures in their work.