The Magic of Impasto: How Texture Brings Paintings to Life

In a world filled with digital imagery and mass-produced prints, textured art holds a power that can't be replicated. There's something magnetic about a painting that begs to be touched, a piece where light dances across thick ridges of paint, revealing depth, emotion, and movement.

This is the magic of impasto.

As a textured artist based in British Columbia, I use impasto techniques in nearly every canvas painting I create. With a palette knife in hand, I build up thick layers of acrylic or oil paint to form bold, sculptural surfaces that capture both light and feeling. Texture is at the heart of my work, whether I’m painting blooming florals, wild landscapes, or symbolic abstracts.

What is Impasto?

Impasto (from the Italian word meaning "dough" or "paste") is a painting technique where paint is laid on a surface in very thick layers. Artists often use palette knives or brushes to create this effect, leaving visible strokes that add dimensionality and energy to the canvas.

While the technique dates back to masters like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, today, contemporary artists, including myself, use it to infuse artwork with emotion and presence. I started painting this way at 10 years old when I was having art lessons from a family friend. No brushes were allowed; only painting knives were allowed. 

Why Texture Matters in Art

Texture changes how we feel about a painting. It transforms art from a flat image into a sensory experience. Here’s how:

• Light and shadow: Thick paint catches light, casting tiny shadows that shift with your perspective.

• Tactile connection: Texture makes a piece feel alive and hand-touched, countering digital perfection.

• Emotional depth: Each raised stroke can express movement, chaos, stillness, or joy, inviting the viewer to feel the story beneath the surface.

For collectors who value symbolism, nature, and soul, impasto art offers more than beauty; it provides resonance.

My Impasto Technique

Every painting starts with intention. I often begin with a spiritual or emotional theme, such as an inner season, a symbol of transformation, or a moment of awe in nature.

From there:

• I sketch loosely or jump straight into intuitive mark-making.

• I apply layers of rich, heavy-bodied acrylic paint with palette knives, sponges, fingers, and paint-loaded brushes, building shape and texture slowly.

• Sometimes I embed gold leaf or natural elements to enhance the spiritual symbolism.

• I finish with details that catch the light, like spirals, circles, or glimmers—small clues for those who look closely. Some wild floral meadows might be full of tiny ladybirds hidden amongst the foliage.

Each piece becomes a tactile story, alive with both movement and stillness.

For the Aspiring Painter…

If you’re a hobbyist or emerging artist drawn to texture, here are a few tips to try impasto:

• Use a heavy body acrylic or oil paint; fluid paints won’t hold peaks.

• Try a palette knife instead of a brush to get bold, expressive marks.

• Start small on a canvas board or a mini canvas to get comfortable.

• Layer slowly, let some areas dry before adding more height.

Let go of perfection. Let your marks tell a story.

Why Collectors Love Impasto Art

Many of my collectors are drawn to art that feels alive and speaks to their journey, transformation, or inner peace. Impasto paintings do just that.

The texture gives each painting a unique presence in a room. It becomes not just décor, but a conversation piece, a meditation point, a soulful companion.

Whether seeking a meaningful original or curious about trying the technique, impasto invites you to see and feel art differently.

Let’s Connect

If you're interested in learning more about my impasto process or finding a textured piece that speaks to you, browse my current originals or contact me. I love connecting with collectors and fellow creatives.