THE FEEL OF THINGS Photo by L. E. Denyer

ARTISTIC ELEMENTS: TEXTURES

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Texture What is it? The one element that you can both see and feel

Texture The surface quality of materials Either actual (tactile) or implied (visual). Visual Texture is the illusion of a three- dimensional surface We use our hands to feel real Texture

Tactile Textures Tactile: Can be felt: The difference between the feel of silk and sandpaper Smooth, rough, prickly

Visual Textures Visual: Can be seen: shiny, dull, matte, patterns in the surface

Categories of Texture Real Texture Implied Texture

Real Texture The actual texture of an object Artist may create real texture in art to give it visual interest or evoke a feeling. A piece of pottery may have a rough texture so that it will look like it came from nature or a smooth texture to make it look like it is machine made.

The Textures of Life Look around the room and identify as many textures as you can What do you see?

Implied Texture The where a two-dimensional piece of art is made to look like a certain texture but in fact is just a smooth piece of paper Like a drawing of a tree trunk may look rough but in fact it is just a smooth piece of paper Paul Klee (French) 1879-1940, Ad Parnassem, 1932 ,Oil on canvas, 39 x 49 in.

Look at this delicate pen and ink drawing of a piece of coral Look at this delicate pen and ink drawing of a piece of coral. Here the artist used lines to represent the actual texture of the coral. It looks as if you could reach out and touch the rough surface and feel the texture. If the lines and texture were not added, would you be able to identify what was drawn? Shanon Fitzpatrick, 11th Grade, Coral Study , Pen and Ink, 7 x 14"

It engages another sense besides sight Texture is “tactile,” that is, it appeals to our sense of touch Artists know this element can appeal to viewers and may try to recreate the illusion of texture, or add real texture to stimulate our tactile nature

A Powerful Elements It can quickly evoke memories and emotions Start becoming more aware of textures all around you the carpet, in the clothes you’re wearing, and the fur on your cat Example: Look carefully to see how Vincent van Gogh created unique texture in his painting of sunflowers

Costuming / Apparel How does the artist make the viewer see the texture and details of the elaborate gown worn by this woman? What do you know of the woman's lifestyle by looking at her costume? Look at this detail of the painting. Can you make out how the artist used colors, shapes, lines and patterns to create the illusion of the texture of this ornate gown? These patterns and designs add visual texture to this painting giving it more visual interest. Gustav Klimt, (Austrian)1862-1918, Emilie Floge, 1902 ;Oil on canvas, Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien, Vienna

This is a self-portrait created in a weaving. The art of weaving has been around for thousands of years It incorporates the intertwining strips of materials such as fabric, straw, bark, etc. into a single product The over and under weaving process creates an actual texture that can be seen and felt. What does Texture add to this work? Does it make the work more interesting? Any materials can be woven together Weaving is a type of textile A textile is a work created with fibers of some kind Sometimes this can be fabric, string, yarn, thread, bark, or almost any pliable organic material Ted M., 6th Grade, Self-portrait, Weaving, 8 x 12", Student work

Sample Textures in Brickwork

Sample Textures in Buildings

Sample Textures in Metals

Sample Textures in Textiles