Painting with Impasto Techniques
by Stefan Baumann
A painting that resembles the chosen subject matter may have very good value, composition, color, and edges, but by using impasto techniques, the painting will
come alive.
Impasto is a Latin word referring to the technique of applying thick paint to emphasize aspects of the subject being painted. It is a natural extension of painting and is one of the reasons that artists love to paint with oils. Impasto involves the sensual quality of applying paint using varying thickness of paint and a variety of brush strokes, with the intention of highlighting focal areas in the painting. The original surface of a canvas or panel is flat; but with impasto techniques, the artist uses a heavier paint application to break the surface and create new planes to reflect light, to build the flat surface up so that it appears three-dimensional, and to create shadows that recede by painting the surface flat and smooth. Oil paint is one of the only mediums that allows artists to experience this multi-dimensional sculptural quality when applying pigment to their canvases.
When painting with impasto techniques, brushstroke applications must be consistent with the tactile qualities of the surface of the object that the artist is recreating, such as the edge of a smooth silver bowl, a textured rug, or a gnarly tree trunk. It is vitally important that the painter allow the subject matter to suggest the appearance of the paint as it is applied. An artist must cultivate sensitivity and insight about the subject to allow each brushstroke and each application of paint to remain where it lies, trying not to repaint and blend, but applying it in one stroke to resemble and highlight the original object being painted.
Enhancing your paintings with impasto creates eye candy for viewers who hunger for delicious highlights and texture. Painting with impasto techniques is fun for the artist, and the results are delightful and enjoyable for the viewer as well.
