Impasto painting is known as “heavy paint” or “drip painting”. This is a painting technique that involves using paint that is applied thickly so there is texture and depth in a painting.
Impasto painting became popular during the Renaissance era. It was used by Italian artists who put wet plaster in drips onto paintings.
Today, impasto is usually done with oil paints on canvas, but it also has other applications. Today we are going to talk about how to create art with the impasto technique, including the materials you will need and tips to help you.
Let’s get started!
What Is Impasto Painting?
The impasto painting technique is used to make objects appear raised, or three-dimensional. You can do impasto with palette knives, brushes, and even rags.
Known as textural painting, impasto is not the same as texture. Texture painting and impasto are both used to create texture, but impasto is completely different from simply applying a layer of texture onto a finished painting.
You can get a lot of depth and volume with impasto painting. To do this, you would be creating texture in various spots of a painting by adding thick paint layers on top of other layers.
When you look at an impasto painting under dim light or from a distance, the texture is quite pronounced. You will often also see visible brushstrokes, which give the illusion of a three-dimensional surface.
In most cases, impasto is used in oil painting. But, you can also do impasto with other mediums, including acrylic paint, watercolors, and gouache.
The History of Impasto
While it is often called a technique, impasto is not a technique. It is a style of painting and can be found in some of the great works of art around the world.
Impasto is found in ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Byzantine Empire religious mosaics, medieval altars, and other great works of art. It has even been found in cave paintings!
Impasto has been around for many centuries. It is thought that the first use of impasto was by Giotto di Bondone of Italy in the Scrovegni Chapel. This work was done in the early 14th century.
During the Renaissance, impasto began to grow in popularity. Famous artists such as Michelangelo used impasto for paintings and sculptures, as did many others, including Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Jackson Pollock is also known for impasto painting.
Sadly, impasto isn’t used nearly as much as it was in other centuries, but there are still some artists who apply impasto to their paintings. You will often see impasto in abstract paintings, and a lot of street artists use it when painting murals.
What Kind Of Paint Should You Use For Impasto?
As I mentioned earlier, impasto can be done with oils, acrylics, watercolor, and gouache. The most commonly-used paint for impasto is oil-based.
If you are thinking about trying impasto, I recommend using heavy-bodied oil paint. Linseed paint works best, but there are also synthetic varieties you can use.
If you use light-bodied oil paints, you will need to use more coats of paint to create an impasto painting. When using watercolors or acrylics, be sure to use paint that is labeled as “heavy”, without any additives.
Paint for impasto should be semi-transparent as this is much better for layering. When using oils or water-based paints, use a medium that will help you to get the best results.
Oddly enough, you shouldn’t use thick paints such as poster paints, or as I mentioned, acrylics with mediums already added. You can use them if you want to do impasto on top of under paint, but the under paint must be heavy-bodied. Just make sure that you are careful because if you use too much the impasto will likely crack.
When using oil paints, consider the drying time. Oil paints take a long time to dry as it is, and when you do an impasto painting it will take that much longer.
To speed up the drying process as much as possible, always work in an area that has low humidity. Do not expose your painting to direct sunlight.
What Types of Paintings Is Impasto Used For?
Impasto can be used for many different types of paintings to create depth and volume. It is often used in abstract painting, but it has many other uses, including landscapes and portraits.
#1. Landscapes
A landscape painting can be given a lot more depth when you use impasto. You can create a landscape that looks like it has been done by adding paint layers over an underpainting.
Then, you can apply more textures and layer colors. Be sure to work from light to dark to get the best results.
#2. Abstracts
Impasto is often used in abstract paintings to make shapes pop out and look more interesting. One thing to keep in mind is that you need to avoid making the surface shiny, as this is going to ruin the impasto effect.
For abstracts, it is best to use natural or matte colors. This is going to help you to create plenty of depth without adding a lot of shine.
Colors should be applied from light to dark, with textures added on top. I think you will like the effect this creates.
#3. Portraits
Impasto is often used in portraits because it gives them a more realistic appearance. It can also add volume and shadowing to faces.
Again, oils do take a long time to dry, and painting in the impasto style increases the drying time. Don’t expect to be able to create an impasto portrait overnight!
What is Reverse Impasto?
Have you ever heard of reverse impasto? Also referred to as “top-down impasto”, this is an interesting style of painting you may be interested in learning more about.
Reverse impasto is just as the name says. Instead of adding the paint from the top of a canvas to the bottom, you would be doing it in reverse, from the bottom of the canvas to the top.
Materials Needed For Impasto Painting
The tools you will need for impasto painting are likely tools you already have in the first place. You will need paintbrushes, as well as palette knives and rags to apply the paint.
You will also need paints, of course, as well as a palette to mix your paints. If you are using oil paints, be sure to have turpentine or linseed oil to thin your paint and clean your brushes. Make sure you have rags and solvent for cleaning your brushes and palette knives.
A stretched canvas is best for this style of painting, and you should have an easel to place the canvas on.
How To Apply Paint for Impasto Painting
A lot of people say that impasto painting isn’t ideal for beginners. But, no matter what style of painting you are doing, you are always going to be a beginner until you learn how to do it. So, if you want to try impasto painting, I say, go for it!
Here are a few tips for those who are new to impasto painting.
- Apply the paint in heavy, thick layers.
- Load your brush before each brush stroke, and make sure you are using enough paint. This will help you to avoid leaving marks on the canvas.
- Use short brushstrokes rather than long ones. Wipe your brushes each time you change the direction of your brushstrokes, or alternately, use different amounts of pressure to apply the paint. This will help you to have control over your painting and prevent streaking.
- Mix a bit of paint with solvents, such as turpentine or linseed oil, to thin it if you want to create highlights and shadows. This is going to help in the creation of various textures.
- If you will be using acrylic paints, you don’t have to worry about thinning them with a solvent. But, you do need to clean your brush after each application of paint to avoid clumps of paint drying on the bristles.
Tips For Impasto Painting
When doing impasto painting, you should always begin by creating a sketch or an underpainting. This is going to be a guide to help you know where to apply the paints for impasto painting.
Make sure the underpainting is completely dry before continuing.
Here are a few more tips that will help you with impasto painting.
- Focus on painting one part of the picture at a time. Working in sections will make it easier to do impasto painting.
- Your palette knife is your friend! It is one of, if not the best tool to help you get that texture and volume you wish to create.
- Never be worried that you may be applying too much paint when working with paintbrushes. You can remove layers if needed.
- You can use a hairdryer to make the paint dry faster.
- When painting figures, the brush should be loaded with plenty of paint. The paint should be applied in thick layers on hands, arms, and faces. Long strokes should be used for torsos and legs.
- When painting skin or other smooth surfaces, use many thin layers of paint instead of one or two thick layers.
- If you are painting dark objects, leave some areas unpainted. This is going to help to create more depth and keep the colors from blending.
- Try not to use impasto over shadows and areas where the paint is already dry.
Conclusion
Impasto painting is a great way to add texture and depth to your paintings. Ideally, you will be using oil paints, but you can use pretty much all types of paint for impasto.
Impasto will give you a three-dimensional effect that is otherwise nearly impossible to achieve. You will be able to create light and shadows that will make your paintings stand out.
Sari Green is a semi-professional artist and professional writer. She has been hosting paint & sip parties for the past couple of years, and truly enjoys helping other people to create their very own masterpieces. She loves to create, and you never know what she’s going to come up with next!