What Texture Art Painting Is
Texture art painting is painting in which the surface itself becomes part of the artwork. Instead of a smooth, flat finish, the artist builds up ridges, bumps, waves or patterns that you can see and feel, and that catch light and cast small shadows. The effect is a kind of relief on canvas or board.
Many modern textured pieces use a simple, neutral palette such as whites, beiges or earth tones, because the physical form already carries interest. Others use bold colour over a heavily worked surface. The style appeals to people who want to make dimensional pieces without advanced drawing skills, though it still rewards good design decisions.
Types of Texture in Art
Art texts commonly separate texture into two broad kinds, and some lists expand them to four:
- Actual (physical) texture: the surface really is rough, ridged or raised. Texture art painting works mainly here.
- Visual (implied) texture: an artist paints the illusion of texture, such as a rough bark, on a flat surface.
Lists of “four types” differ between sources. One common version distinguishes actual, simulated, abstract and invented texture. Because definitions vary, treat the number as a teaching convenience rather than a fixed rule.
What It Is Called When You Paint With Texture
Thick, visible paint applied so brush or knife marks remain is usually called impasto. It is used in oil and acrylic painting. Texture art more broadly also includes surfaces built with pastes and compounds rather than paint alone, so impasto is one method within it.
Materials and Mediums
- Heavy-body acrylic paint: holds brush and knife marks and can be applied thickly. See acrylic painting tips for beginners.
- Gel and modelling mediums or texture paste: acrylic products designed to add body and hold shape. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying times and thickness.
- Joint compound (drywall mud): an inexpensive option used in many DIY textured canvases. It is easy to shape but heavy and needs sealing.
- Plaster, spackle or air-dry clay: other options, each with different drying and cracking behaviour.
- Tools: palette knives, putty knives, notched trowels, combs, forks, sponges, even fingers.
- Supports: stretched canvas, canvas board or wood panel. Rigid supports handle heavy compounds better than thin canvas, which can sag under thick layers. See what canvas is best for acrylic paint.
Step-by-Step: A Simple Textured Canvas
This beginner method follows the approach used in popular DIY tutorials.
- Prime the surface. A new canvas usually comes primed. If you are reusing an old painting, apply a solid base coat of white acrylic first.
- Apply the compound. Once the base coat is dry, spread joint compound or texture paste across the canvas with a putty knife. Use enough to create texture but avoid piling it on so heavily that the canvas sags. It does not need to be smooth.
- Make the texture. Drag a notched trowel, comb or other tool through the wet compound to make lines, waves or patterns. Experiment on a spare board first.
- Let it dry fully. Drying time depends on thickness and conditions and can take many hours or longer for thick areas. Do not paint over a surface that is still damp.
- Seal and colour. Joint compound is porous, so seal it with a clear sealant, acrylic paint or primer before use. This is also the stage for adding colour.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Compound will not dry: thick layers and humid rooms slow drying. Use thinner layers and allow more time.
- Cracking: very thick single applications can crack as they dry. Building up in several thinner layers may help.
- Weight: large compound-heavy pieces can be heavy. Use a sturdy support and fixings suited to the weight.
- Colour: acrylic paint can be brushed over the dried, sealed surface. Dry brushing in a lighter shade highlights raised areas.
- Dust: sanding dried compound creates fine dust, so wear a suitable mask and work in a ventilated space.
Colour and Finishing
For a calm look, paint the whole piece one colour and let shadows do the work. For more contrast, apply a darker colour first, wipe it back, and then dry-brush a lighter colour across the raised surfaces. Finish with a varnish or sealer suitable for your paint if you want protection; check that it is compatible with the materials you used. See how to finish a painting for more on varnish.
Making Texture Part of Your Practice
Texture is also a useful way to loosen up. Scraping and layering work well with intuitive painting, and a small textured panel makes a good subject for a day in a daily painting challenge. For more general habits that carry across every style, see how to improve your painting.
FAQ
Is texture art painting good for beginners? Often, yes. It relies on tools and materials more than precise drawing, so many beginners find it approachable.
Can I use regular acrylic paint for texture? Yes, especially heavy-body acrylic, but texture pastes and gels give more body at lower cost.
Do I need a sealant? If you use a porous material such as joint compound, sealing is generally recommended before painting or displaying it.