ART 212, Design I
Seth Goodman
Lycoming College
______________________________________________________________________________
TEXTURE
Texture is most often and most dramatically known through sense of touch. However, we can also see texture and, from that visual information, predict its feel. When viewing a painting which depicts textured objects or creates actual texture through the use of the paint, we have both visual and tactile experience of the work.
.
TYPES OF TEXTURE
Actual Texture
This is the use of real or actual texture on the surface of the work. This category includes the actual texture of the paint itself, and also the use of collage to affix textured objects to the surface. Dragging a painting or drawing medium across the tooth of the paper or canvas serves to reveal or heighten the its actual texture, giving it more visual impact.
Visual Texture
This is any texture that does not exist physically and three-dimensionally in the work. It is a visual rather than a tactile texture (meaning you can’t feel it). A visual texture is created by repetition of shape or line in a pattern-like way. It is flat but breaks up a space in a similar way to an actual texture. There are a few distinct categories of visual texture:
Simulated Texture
This term is used to describe the illusion of texture created on a smooth surface. For instance, in a photograph of a tree’s bark, the bark looks rough even though the actual surface of the photo is smooth. Our brain sees texture by interpreting the way light hits the surface. Rough surfaces are made up of tiny mountains- light hits the peaks but leaves the valleys in shadow. The resulting alternation of light and dark spots creates the impression of a textured surface. Smooth surfaces are also discerned by interpreting the pattern of light and dark. Glossy surfaces reflect light very evenly.
Abstract Texture When an artist chooses not to simulate an object’s texture, but instead simplifies it or reduces it to its essence, he/she is abstracting the texture.
Invented Texture Invented texture is in no way related to the actual texture of an object. It is invented entirely by the artist for formal or aesthetic reasons. Invented textures are usually found in abstract works (meaning those with no recognizable imagery) but also may include the repetitive marks used to make a drawing.
Texture and Pattern
Because texture is interpreted by reading the lights and darks, patterns can often create a sense of texture. A page of small type creates a textural sensation although it does not imitate an actual, tactile texture. I think that whether or not a pattern reads a texture or not depends on scale. If the shapes which comprise the pattern are too large, we will read them as shape. If they are small enough we will be more aware of the overall effect- the pattern of light and dark they create- and this will give a textural feel (top illustration).
Texture and Composition
Texture can affect composition in a few ways:
· An area of dramatic texture in an otherwise untextured or less textured area will create emphasis through its greater visual complexity (busyness). (Picture at right- Picasso)
· Texture influences value. When one squints at a variety of textures, they can be seen as simple areas of differing values (optical mixing). So texture can be used in the same ways value can to affect composition (center illustration).
· Some textures provide directional thrusts which can direct the viewer’s eye around the composition.
Texture and Space: Texture also affects perceived depth/space in a picture in the following ways:
· Texture has size or scale. Textures composed of large elements will advance and those composed of small elements will recede (center illustration).
· Textures which appear sharp or in focus advance, those which appear blurred recede.
· Textures may be black marks on white ground, gray marks on black ground, etc. The degree of value contrast between marks and ground affects space according to the rules of atmospheric perspective (high contrast advances, low contrast recedes). The same is true of the value of a textured area compared to the surrounding area.
Additional Vocabulary:
Collage- A technique which involves crating a composition or part of one by adhering real materials that possess actual textures to the surface (paper, cloth, string, wood). These may be combined with drawn or painted elements.
Papier Colle is a similar but narrower term involving affixing only paper.
Assemblage- A more three-dimensional type of collage. Bulkier objects are incorporated and the result is usually a free standing sculpture rather than a wall piece.
Frottage- French for rubbing, the technique of placing paper over a textured surface and using the side of a drawing implement to rub the paper and reveal the texture beneath.
Paint Quality is related to the use of paint to enrich a surface through textural interest.
Comments
Post a Comment