Element of Art - Texture

This presentation describes the four kinds of texture and their uses in art of all mediums. It introduces this element of art to introductory art students, and outlines a related project.

1. Texture [The surface character of a material that can be experienced through touch or the illusion of touch. Texture is produced by natural forces or through an artist’s manipulation of the art elements]

2. How to we experience texture? Through our sensory perceptions of sight and touch .

3. Why bother? Artists utilize texture in art to imitate nature very closely, also to provoke psychological or motional responses from the viewer. To stimulate curiosity, shock us, and make us reevaluate our perceptions.

4. 4 Types of Texture: Actual Simulated Abstract Invented

5. Actual Texture: A surface that can be experienced through the sense of touch (as opposed to a surface visually simulated by the artist).

6. Simulated Texture: A convincing copy or translation of an object’s texture in any medium. Artists also call this Trompe l’oeil or, in English, “tricks the eye.”

7. Abstract Texture: A texture derived from the appearance of an actual surface but rearranged and/or simplified by the artist to satisfy the demands of the artwork.

8. Invented Texture: A created texture whose only source is the artist’s imagination. It generally produces a decorative pattern and should not be confused with abstract texture.

9. Textures can help define space – when blurred and lacking in contrast, they make objects appear distant, whereas when sharp and strong in contrast, objects appear closer. Creating space …using texture

10. Textures are bolder and clearer close up. A s they recede in space they become blurry , softer and smoother in appearance. In other words, our good friend: Atmospheric Perspective!

11. Collage A technique of picture-making in which real materials possessing actual textures are attached to the picture plane surface, often in combination with painted or drawn passages.

12. Assemblage A technique that involves grouping actual items (three-dimensional objects) in a display. The items may be found or specially created, and they are often displayed “in situ” – that is, in a natural position or in the middle of a room rather than on a wall.

13. What is the difference between texture and pattern ? PATTERN Decorative design (flat) I nvolves repetition and ornament Not concerned with surface texture, but with appearance. TEXTURE Stimulates a tactile response Can be actual – not just an illusion Does not simply engage the eye, but also our sense of touch

14. Texture Project Objectives: Explore the use of drawing media to create the tactile illusion of texture Use collected samples of textures to inform a 2D artwork Create a simple still life with invented textures in place of actual ones

15. Preliminary (Sketchbook) Work: 6 texture drawings, created from your 6 textured items 1 compositional sketch of your still life Materials: Bring in 6 physical examples of interesting textures (examples: pine cone, pebbles, fur, metal grate, textured fabric, tree bark, etc.) 2-3 simple still life objects (examples: bowl, vase, wine bottle, fruit, etc.) 1 sheet white illustration board size 15x22” OR 1 sheet white watercolor paper. Your design should measure 12x18” . Graphite pencils of various hardness (2B, 4B, 6B, 2H, 4H, etc ) Staedtler Mars eraser

16. Process: 1. Arrange your still life objects into a composition of your choosing. Use what you have learned in class about successful composition (focal point, visual hierarchy, flow, emphasis, zooming in, etc.) 2. Identify the different textures in your actual still life, and then assign each of them a new , substituted texture , taken from your 6 practice drawings in your sketchbook (for instance, if you’re drawing a glass vase, the shiny glassy texture is reassigned the texture of a swatch of fur you drew – now you’re drawing the vase, only with this new texture on the surface). 4. Pay attention to the light source in your still life, as well as the forms of the actually objects you are drawing. The only thing that is changed is the surface texture of the objects. Try to imagine how each object would look if it was made out of this very different material. 3. Render your entire still life using this method. You must use between 4-6 different textures in your still life.