Your Guide to Textured Art

What Is It & How You Can Recreate It At Home!

It's no secret that textured art has been taking the world by storm recently. And we’ve got everything you need to start recreating this viral art in the comfort of your own home! Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newbie just getting started on your creative journey, incorporating texture into your work can breathe a whole new sense of life and vibrancy into your pieces. In this blog post, we'll dive into what textured art is, what you need to get started, and how to create your own textured masterpieces.

So What Even is Textured Art?

Textured art involves adding physical texture to a two-dimensional surface to create a visual and tactile effect. By incorporating a range of materials, techniques, and tools, you can manipulate the surface of your artwork to add depth, dimension, and extra complexity. This technique opens up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing you to explore a wide range of styles, and create art that’s totally unique without needing any fancy training.

What Do You Need to Get Started?

Materials:

First up, make sure you’re working on a sturdy surface. Canvases, wood panels, and heavyweight paper are all excellent options for textured art. Choose a surface that can handle the added weight and dimension of all the textured elements that you’re planning to add. Next, you’ll need to stock up on some materials. These are some of the mediums you can use to create texture in your piece: 

Acrylic Paint:

Perfect for adding a base coat to your canvas or for colouring the various mediums you choose for texture. Acrylics also work well for textured art because they dry quickly and can be layered on quite thick to create rich textures.

Modelling Paste:

This heavy paste is great for building up thick textures and creating sculptural effects.

Gesso:

A thick primer that can be used to prepare your surface and provide a base for your textured layers.

Collage Materials:

Incorporate elements like fabric, paper, dried leaves, and more to add depth, texture and interest to your piece.

Sand, Salt, or Grit:

These materials can be mixed into your paint or applied on top for added texture. Perfect for when you want different textures mixed into your mediums. 

Next up, paint brushes and tools:

Palette Knives:

Perfect for spreading and sculpting heavy gels and pastes.

Texture Brushes:

These brushes have bristles with unique shapes and patterns, designed to create specific textures.

Sponges and Rags:

These tools can be used to dab, blend, and remove paint to create interesting textures.

Combs and Scrapers:

Use these to create lines, grooves, and patterns in your textured layers. Final step, adding a protective finish. Once your textured masterpiece is complete, seal it with a clear varnish to protect the texture and enhance the colours. This isn’t always necessary but if you’re wanting to prolong your piece and get that glossy look, varnish is a must!

Creating Your Textured Art Piece

Now, the fun part! You’ve gathered your supplies and you’re ready to get creative, but where do you start?

Step 1: Prepare Your Surface

Before you start adding texture, ensure your surface is clean and dry. If you're working on a canvas, applying a layer of gesso or primer will provide a smooth and primed base for your textured layers.  

Step 2: Choose Your Texture Medium

Decide on the type of texture you want to create. Are you going for a smooth and subtle texture, or do you want bold and pronounced elements? Mix your chosen texture medium with acrylic paint to achieve the desired consistency.

Step 3: Apply the Texture

Use palette knives, brushes, or your hands to apply the textured mixture onto your surface. Experiment with layering, spreading, and sculpting to achieve the desired effect. Don't be afraid to mix different textures in the same piece for added visual interest.

Step 4: Add Additional Elements

Incorporate collage materials, such as fabric or paper, into your textured layers. You can also sprinkle sand, salt, or grit onto the wet texture for an extra tactile element.

Step 5: Build Layers

Allow each layer to dry before adding the next. This prevents the textures from blending together and ensures distinct, well-defined elements.

Step 6: Play with Colour

Experiment with different colour combinations to enhance the textures. Highlight raised areas with lighter shades and create shadows using darker hues.

Step 7: Fine-Tune and Refine

Once your textured layers are dry, step back and assess your piece. Use additional tools like combs, scrapers, and texture brushes to refine the textures and add intricate details.

Step 8: Seal the Texture

Once you're satisfied with the texture and paint layers, apply a clear varnish to protect your artwork and enhance its appearance. Textured art offers a playground for your creativity. Whether you're drawn to abstract expressionism, realism, or something in between, the world of textured art is the perfect place to experiment!

With the right materials, tools, and techniques, you can create captivating pieces that are perfect to display in your home or give to your loved ones as gifts. Textured art is the perfect way to experiment with a new (and very forgiving) medium.

It’s the perfect place for beginners to the art world to start, whilst still being exciting enough to challenge even the most seasoned artist’s creativity and imagination. Gather your supplies with our team at RIOT today and get started on your journey to creating one-of-a-kind textured art!