How To Make Texture Art: Creative Techniques

Texture art is art that you can feel. It’s about making things that look and feel interesting to touch. Can you make texture art at home? Yes, you absolutely can! This guide will explore many creative ways to build amazing texture art.

The Foundation of Texture Art

Texture art goes beyond just sight; it invites touch. It’s about adding a physical dimension to your creations, making them more engaging and unique. This type of art uses various materials and techniques to create surfaces that have depth, interest, and a tactile quality. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, exploring texture can open up a whole new world of creative possibilities.

What is Texture Art?

Texture art is a genre of art that emphasizes the surface quality of a piece. This can be achieved through various methods, from the way paint is applied to the inclusion of physical materials onto the artwork. The goal is to create visual and tactile interest, making the viewer want to reach out and feel the surface.

Why Explore Texture?

• Engages More Senses: It appeals not only to the eyes but also to the sense of touch, creating a richer experience.
• Adds Visual Interest: Textures can break up flat surfaces, adding complexity and detail.
• Creates Depth: Different textures can create illusions of space and dimension.
• Expressive Potential: The choice of texture can convey emotions and ideas powerfully.
• Unique Results: It allows for highly personal and individual artistic expression.

Techniques for Creating Texture

There are countless ways to add texture to your art. From traditional methods to innovative approaches, here are some popular and effective techniques.

Sculpting with Paint

Paint isn’t just for flat colors; it can be a sculptural medium. By applying paint thickly, you can build up surfaces, creating ridges, peaks, and valleys that catch the light and add a physical dimension.

Impasto

This is a classic technique where paint is applied thickly, so brushstrokes or palette knife marks are visible. The paint stands out from the surface, creating a tactile quality.

• Materials: Thick acrylics or oil paints work best.
• Tools: Palette knives, stiff brushes, even your fingers can be used.
• Process: Apply paint directly to the canvas or substrate. Build up layers, allowing them to dry in between if you want distinct peaks. Experiment with different tools to create varied marks.

Building Up Layers with Mediums

Acrylic mediums are fantastic for adding texture. Gels and pastes can be mixed with paint or applied on their own to create different effects.

• Types of Mediums:
  • Modeling Paste: Creates a smooth, chalky texture that can be sculpted or sanded.
  • Texture Gel: Comes in various finishes like glossy, matte, or iridescent, and can be used to add subtle or pronounced texture.
  • Heavy Gel: Very thick, holds peaks and marks well, similar to impasto but with more control.
• Application: Apply with palette knives, brushes, or spatulas. You can embed other materials into wet mediums.

Layering Materials

This is a core principle of texture art. It involves building up your artwork by applying different materials in successive layers, creating a rich, complex surface.

Collage Techniques

Collage is the art of assembling different forms, gluing them onto a surface. It’s a versatile way to introduce a wide range of textures and elements.

• Paper-Based Collage:
  • Materials: Newspapers, magazines, old book pages, maps, tissue paper, textured papers (like handmade or rice paper).
  • Adhesives: PVA glue, gel medium, spray adhesive.
  • Process: Tear or cut out elements. Arrange them on your substrate. Glue them down, overlapping as desired. You can paint over collage elements or leave them as they are.
• Fabric Collage:
  • Materials: Scraps of fabric, lace, burlap, felt, yarn.
  • Adhesives: Fabric glue, gel medium, or stitching.
  • Process: Layer fabrics, cut and tear them, or stitch them together. Experiment with different fabric types for varied textures.

Mixed Media Approaches

Mixed media art combines different artistic materials and methods in a single work. This is where texture art truly shines, as you can blend painting, drawing, collage, and more.

• Combining Elements:
  • Paint and Collage: Apply paint over or under collage elements.
  • Drawing and Texture: Draw on textured surfaces or add drawn elements to textured areas.
  • Adding 3D Objects: Incorporate small objects into your artwork.
• Creating Depth: Use thinner materials at the front and thicker, more dimensional elements further back to create a sense of space.

Incorporating Found Objects

Found objects are everyday items that are repurposed for artistic use. They bring unique textures, shapes, and histories to your artwork, adding an element of surprise and intrigue.

• Types of Found Objects:
  • Natural Elements: Leaves, twigs, sand, shells, stones, feathers.
  • Recycled Materials: Bottle caps, old buttons, fabric scraps, cardboard, string, wire, plastic fragments.
  • Household Items: Keys, small hardware, broken jewelry pieces.
• Attachment Methods:
  • Strong Adhesives: E6000, hot glue (for non-heat sensitive items), epoxy.
  • Embedding: Press objects into wet modeling paste or heavy gel mediums.
  • Mechanical Fasteners: Small screws, staples, or wire can be used if appropriate for the substrate and desired look.

Surface Manipulation

This involves directly altering the surface of your substrate or materials before or during the creation process to add texture.

Sand and Grit

Adding sand or other granular materials to paint or mediums is a simple yet effective way to create a gritty, tactile surface.

• Materials: Fine or coarse sand, grit, salt, coffee grounds, sawdust.
• Application:
  • Mix directly into paints or mediums.
  • Apply a layer of gel medium or paste and sprinkle the granular material onto it while wet.
• Effect: Creates a rough, abrasive texture that can be painted over or left exposed.

Scoring and Incising

Using sharp tools to create lines, patterns, or scratch marks on a wet or dry surface adds linear texture.

• Tools: Palette knives, needles, scribing tools, the end of a brush handle.
• Surfaces: Wet paint, wet modeling paste, or even dry surfaces that can be scratched (like gessoed boards).
• Technique: Make deliberate marks to create patterns, simulate wood grain, or add subtle surface disruptions.

Rubbing and Texturizing Tools

Specialized tools can create repeatable textures or unique surface effects.

• Texture Rollers: Rollers with raised patterns that can be inked or applied with paint to transfer the texture.
• Stamps: Rubber or foam stamps with various textures.
• Stencils: Can be used with paint or mediums to create raised patterns.
• Household Items: Bubble wrap, combs, forks, and sponges can be used to press into wet materials for unique patterns.

Materials and Substrates for Texture Art

The choice of materials and the surface you work on significantly impact the final texture.

Substrates

The base of your artwork needs to be sturdy enough to hold the weight and texture you add.

• Canvas: Stretched canvas is common, but consider heavy-duty options.
• Wood Panels: Plywood or MDF boards are excellent for heavier textures as they won’t warp.
• Cardboard/Masonite: Good for lighter mixed media or collage.
• Heavyweight Paper: Thick watercolor paper or mixed media paper can work for less dimensional pieces.

Mediums and Binders

These are essential for adhering materials and creating texture with paints.

• Acrylic Gels and Pastes: As mentioned earlier, these are crucial for building texture with acrylics.
• PVA Glue / White Glue: A versatile adhesive for paper, fabric, and light objects.
• Gel Medium (Matte or Glossy): Excellent for collage, sealing, and as a binder.
• Mod Podge: Similar to gel medium, good for sealing and adhering.
• Gesso: Often used as a primer, but thick applications can also add a subtle texture.

Paints

While all paints can be used, some are better suited for textural techniques.

• Acrylic Paints: Dry quickly, can be mixed with mediums to create texture, and are water-soluble when wet.
• Oil Paints: Remain wet longer, allowing for more blending and manipulation of impasto techniques.
• Gouache: Opaque and can be layered, but less ideal for heavy impasto.
• Encaustic (Wax Painting): Naturally lends itself to texture due to the molten wax.

Putting It All Together: Creating Your Texture Art Piece

Let’s walk through a general process, keeping in mind that experimentation is key.

Step-by-Step Process Example

1. Concept and Sketching:

   • What kind of texture are you aiming for? Rough, smooth, layered, bumpy?
   • Think about the feeling you want to evoke.
   • Make a rough sketch, noting areas where you plan to add specific textures.

2. Substrate Preparation:

   • Choose your substrate based on the weight of materials you’ll be using.
   • Prime the surface with gesso if necessary. You can even apply thick layers of gesso and score them for initial texture.

3. Building the Base Layers:

   • Start with your main colors or background.
   • Begin applying thicker mediums like modeling paste or heavy gel. Use palette knives to spread, sculpt, and create initial forms.
   • Consider embedding some materials now, such as sand or small fabric pieces, into wet mediums.

4. Layering Materials and Found Objects:

   • Start adding your collage elements or found objects.
   • Use appropriate adhesives. If using natural objects, ensure they are dry and sealed if necessary.
   • Overlap elements to create a sense of depth and visual interest.
   • Continue building up paint layers using impasto techniques or mixing colors with textural mediums.

5. Adding Detail and Surface Manipulation:

   • Once the main layers are dry, refine the textures.
   • Use scoring tools to add fine lines or patterns.
   • Apply washes of diluted paint to settle into crevices and highlight textures.
   • Use dry brushing techniques with lighter colors to catch the raised areas and add highlights.

6. Finishing Touches and Sealing:

   • Once completely dry, assess your piece. Add any final touches of paint or texture.
   • Consider applying a sealant (like a spray varnish or a clear acrylic medium) to protect the surface and enhance its durability, especially if using delicate found objects.

Example Projects and Ideas

• Seascape with Sand and Shells: Use blue and green acrylics mixed with sand for the water. Embed small shells and pebbles along a “shoreline” built with modeling paste.
• Abstract Floral with Fabric and Yarn: Create a background with layered papers and soft paint washes. Use textured modeling paste to build up flower shapes, then embed fabric scraps and yarn for petals and stems.
• Urban Landscape with Recycled Materials: Build cityscapes using torn cardboard, corrugated paper, and small metal or plastic found objects. Use thick, grey acrylics for buildings and add scratched lines for windows.
• Nature-Inspired Textured Piece: Use real leaves pressed into modeling paste, combine with earthy tones of acrylic paint, and add sand or coffee grounds for a forest floor effect.

Tips for Success

• Work in Layers: Allow layers to dry sufficiently before adding more, unless you are intentionally blending wet-on-wet.
• Use Quality Adhesives: Especially for heavier objects, ensure your glue is strong and appropriate for the materials.
• Test Your Materials: Before applying to your final artwork, test how different mediums, paints, and adhesives interact with your chosen substrate and materials.
• Embrace Imperfection: Texture art is often about the organic and unexpected. Don’t strive for perfect smoothness if it doesn’t serve your vision.
• Think About Light: How will light hit the textures you create? Consider how highlights and shadows will play on the surface.
• Experiment with Color: How do colors interact with different textures? Darker colors can make textures appear more pronounced, while lighter colors can soften them.
• Consider the ‘Feel’: If tactile art is your goal, think about how different textures will feel underhand.
• Safety First: Ensure good ventilation when using mediums or spray sealants. Be mindful of sharp objects used for incising.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the best paints for texture art?

Acrylic paints are often preferred because they dry quickly and can be easily mixed with a wide range of textural mediums and gels. Oil paints can also be used, especially for impasto techniques, but their longer drying time might affect layering.

Q2: How do I prevent materials from falling off my artwork?

The key is using strong, appropriate adhesives. For lighter items like paper or fabric, gel medium or PVA glue is usually sufficient. For heavier found objects, consider stronger glues like E6000 or epoxy. Embedding items into wet mediums like modeling paste can also create a very secure bond.

Q3: Can I make texture art on a vertical surface?

Yes, but it requires careful planning. When using thick mediums or heavy objects, it’s best to build up the texture while the artwork is flat. If working on a vertical surface, use adhesives that set quickly and avoid very heavy or wet materials that could slide or drip.

Q4: How do I create different kinds of texture with paint?

• Impasto: Apply paint thickly with a brush or palette knife.
• Mixing with Mediums: Add acrylic gels, pastes, or pumice gels to your paint.
• Scraping and Incising: Use tools to create marks in wet paint.
• Stippling/Dabbing: Use a stiff brush or sponge to dab paint on.
• Sgraffito: Scratch through a wet layer of paint to reveal a layer underneath.

Q5: What is the difference between texture art and relief sculpture?

Texture art is typically two-dimensional or has a shallow relief, meaning the textures are raised from the surface but don’t typically project as far as in a sculpture. Relief sculpture is usually a more significant three-dimensional form carved or modeled from a flat background. Texture art focuses on the surface quality, while relief sculpture emphasizes form and volume.

Q6: Can I combine different types of textures in one piece?

Absolutely! This is one of the most exciting aspects of texture art. Layering different materials and using various techniques allows you to create a rich, complex, and visually engaging surface. For example, you could have smooth painted areas, rough gritty sections, and raised collaged elements all in the same artwork.

Texture art is a wonderfully versatile and expressive medium. By experimenting with these techniques, you can transform ordinary materials into captivating works of art that invite viewers to engage with your creations on multiple sensory levels. Happy creating!