Texture Plus

Whenever I'm asked to briefly explain what kind of art I do, the word I always reach for is 'textural art'.

Because I create using so many mediums. Paintings in oil, acrylic, gouache, watercolour and mixed media.

Textile wall hangings, 'paintings' sculptures. Ink and graphite or pastel sketches and fine art. Portraiture. Ceramics. Wood carving... you can see why it would be hard to say all that before they'd already walked away. The one thing they all share is texture.

Many assume texture has to have an actual raised textural feel, the rough and smooth, but in fact it doesn't; it can all be about what the eye perceives or sometimes it's only about touch or smell... confused yet?

Although I work with all possible ways...I would though wouldn't I?!

I was asked specifically about painting, so for this blog, I'll focus on that...using textiles may sound easy, but believe me...it's more complicated.

I usually start with an idea of whether I'm planning to paint something very textural or not, this is because, if I want to create a very kinaesthicially textural piece, I'll need to consider the gesso or primer of the wood or canvas. would wood work better, do I want the flexibility of canvas... these questions need to be asked first.

Lets say I'm using canvas...many of the techniques used with wood become lost or at least limited. So I would consider the gesso. I may decide a broad stroked, irregular palette knife be used to apply; maybe not everywhere. Variation is crucial as otherwise the eye or to be more precise, the brain, wouldn't recognise any difference and there's your key...difference.

Something of all the same texture achieves less than something with contrast.

Sometimes I've used wax, pumice, gel, sand or paste. Most often...I use paint and the technique.

Here I have crush