About Texture in Oil Paintings

Studying an oil painting reveals much about the choices the artist made in creating the final piece. From the choice of brushes, colors, application, subject and surface, the artist has many opportunities to develop the texture that will speak visually. Creating sharp focus, smooth lines or distortions in surface requires a variety of tools and knowledge. Sometimes artists stumble upon techniques that become specific to their legacy of oil painting. Other techniques have been used for centuries.

Texture in an oil painting can be created via a visual technique, a tactile process, or through the careful choices of physical application or style. It refers to the qualities of the surface created by the painter. Bold textures are achieved through revealing paint strokes. Smooth textures are created by blended, muted or closely matching paint colors. A traditional oil painting subject, like flowers in a vase, can show a great deal of texture due to the color choices and type of paint application.

There are many means to creating texture in oil painting. Depending on the artist's style, the topic of the painting and the objects or subjects within the painting, the following may be used to convey texture: Choice of solvents to create thinner or thicker paint; Additional painting media; Choice of application; Contrast of color; Choice of lighting source; Artistic style; Choice of surface.

Oil painters have names for the different techniques they use to create certain textures. Some of these have been around for a long time; others lend themselves to certain eras and styles of painting. Manipulating the paint can include the texture techniques of impasto, scumbling and dabbing.

Other painting media can be added to the paint or used directly with pigment. Wax, various varnishes and resins allow the painter to adjust transparency and density of the paint. Not only does the artist add to the paint, he can take away or remove paint. Scratching down into the wet surface in order to reapply another color can be used to build texture. Rags, palette knives, sponges and fingers can be used to this effect.

Depending on the thickness of paint that you wish to work with, the surface can become part of the texture. Primed linen or cotton canvas has a weave that can assist an artist in creating texture. The use of primed, canvas-wrapped boards, wood panels and canvas paper can all add to the effect. Thin application of oil paint reveals the weave of the cloth below.