| Impasto - The Concept | | | | (Italian - 1490-1576) have used Impasto, though |
| The Italian term 'Impasto' refers to a painting | | | | not dominantly highlighted, in their several art |
| technique, in which thick textured paint is applied | | | | works. Vincent Van Gogh (Dutch - 1853-90) |
| on canvas to get a three dimensional appearance | | | | brought this change in using the technique, with his |
| of the picture being created. The style often | | | | Expressionist Art. His 'White Field with Cypresses' |
| leaves visible brush or knife strokes on the | | | | (1889) captures the movement of sky on |
| finished work, with a distinguished raised surface | | | | canvas, through brilliant colors and powerful brush |
| visible from the side. Heavy Impasto may even | | | | strokes. It marked the beginning of his Cypresses |
| have shadows underneath the paint. | | | | Impasto series, with his other masterpieces being |
| The Details | | | | 'The Starry Night' (1889), 'Cypresses' (1889), and |
| Of course, Impasto is all about using more than | | | | 'Road with Cypress and Star' (1890). |
| the standard required quantity of paint on the | | | | While, American Expressionist Jane Frank's |
| canvas. Instead of scrubbing the paint to blend | | | | (1918-86) 'Crags and Crevices' (1961) is her most |
| wet colors, artists use minimal strokes to let it sit | | | | impressive piece of the range, Willem de Kooning's |
| on canvas. Once the thick layer dries, the | | | | (1904-97) 'Woman' (1940s) series is known for |
| additional layers of paint are applied to add to the | | | | the use of best Impasto in the Abstract |
| thickness, often blending them on canvas itself. Oil | | | | Figurative Expressionist Art. Figurative British |
| and acrylic paints are the most suited for | | | | painter Lucian Freud (born 1922) uses the style to |
| Impasto, due to its required thickness and slow | | | | capture every harsh detail of his models. His |
| drying time. Experimentations with watercolors | | | | self-portrait, 'Reflections' (1985) is among his best |
| mixed with thickening agents had limited success. | | | | Impasto works. Colorado artist Carol Nelson has |
| Impasto can make a simple work impressive, as | | | | used the technique in themes, like landscapes, |
| the artists can control the effect of direct light on | | | | portraits, and floral paintings, such as 'Red Roof,' |
| the paintings. The common applications are | | | | (2007), 'Fusion III,' (2007), and 'Birthday Surprise |
| creating folds in clothes, jewels, adding depth to | | | | (2007).' |
| landscapes by projecting few objects, or adding | | | | Conclusion |
| "action" to the painting through visible brush | | | | Impasto has also received dissension from critics |
| strokes, as is the case with Expressionist Art. | | | | at few occasions. Thick paints, due to their own |
| This technique is usually used to bring up | | | | weight, may at times, fall off from a hanging |
| aesthetics of a simple subject matter by adding | | | | painting. Impasto can grow so heavy in some |
| realism to a piece. | | | | works that it may look sculpted, instead of |
| The Artists & Artworks | | | | brushed. The technique does give a powerful tool |
| Painters Rembrandt (Dutch - 1606-69) and Titian | | | | to artists to play with light in a painting. |