Have you ever walked into a gallery and you admired paintings whose rough texture nearly made you touch it? There is a visible difference between smooth and rough texture in a painting; while the first one is neat and static, the second is dynamic giving the viewer the impression of depth. From Van Gogh to today’s art, the use of texture in paintings appealed to many artists. They create sculptural paintings, adding depth to an image, be that a landscape, a floral scene or an abstract artwork. Texture adds another dimension to an artwork, making trees, leaves and flowers pulsing with life, animals to jump out of the painting and abstract images to challenge the viewer from different angles.

Water Music
Water Music 3 by Rachel McCullock

There are many ways in which artists create texture on canvas. They would prepare a background first by using various mediums and layers of paint or other materials like paper or fabric. Sometimes they add salt, sand, gold-leaf, etc to the background and other times they incorporate natural elements like leaves or shells. When the canvas is ready, they paint over the desired image. Right at the end, artists might add some final touches like beads, fabric, paper, collage, buttons, lace, etc to accentuate some of the textural elements.

The textured effect can also be simulated by playing with brushes and paint on a flat surface to create a visual impression of texture. Some paintings are so realistic that the viewer might be inclined for haptic interaction with them; some are created to give the viewer the optical illusion of an object jumping out of the painting. But no matter what technique artists use, textured paintings are becoming more and more popular with collectors, interior designers and occasional buyers. At Art2Arts we have a great collection of textured paintings, from floral and abstract art to mixed media and collages.

Dappled Chestnut by Verity Darby
Dappled Chestnut by Verity Darby

Textured leaf art : Verity Darby creates textured artwork in warm autumnal colours using real chestnut leaves. They have a semi abstract and contemporary look and they can be hung in traditional and modern interiors alike.

Textured floral art : CK Wood creates textured floral art by using the impasto technique giving the paintings a sculptural effect. Her paintings have a serene feel and they would look great in any room, be that living room, dining room or bedroom.

Zealous Landscape by CK Wood
Zealous Landscape by CK Wood

Textured abstract art:  Cyndy Cmyth creates textured abstract and semi abstract paintings using gold-leaf, goldstone and iron pyrite minerals. They would make a great addition to a home, office, hotel and B&B, enhancing the décor while enchanting the viewer.

Mabon by Cyndy Cmyth
Mabon by Cyndy Cmyth

Mixed media and (semi)collages: Victoria Stothard creates mixed media flower and abstract paintings incorporating acrylic, oil, airbrushing, enamel and appliqué. The effect is sculptural with a contemporary look. Amanda Jane Aspinall’s semi collage abstract artworks are one of a kind and they will make a great addition to a contemporary interior.

Gold Mocha Allium by Victoria Stothard
Gold Mocha Allium by Victoria Stothard

Textured paintings are unique, original, creative and collectable. With the right technique and great skill, anything could be incorporated into an artwork, from recycled materials like vintage paper and jeans to other unconventional ones like fibre washes, tins, ceramics and metals.

Metalloids by Amanda jane Aspinall
Metalloids by Amanda Jane Aspinall
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