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CCAD

Library & Information Technology

CORE Principles – Art and Design

Elements of Art - Texture

Texture

The surface quality of an object that we sense through touch. All objects have a physical texture. Artists can also convey texture visually in two dimensions.


In a two-dimensional work of art, texture gives a visual sense of how an object depicted would feel in real life if touched: hard, soft, rough, smooth, hairy, leathery, sharp, etc. In three-dimensional works, artists use actual texture to add a tactile quality to the work.
 
Painting of Agostino Pallavicini by Anthony van Dyck
Portrait of Agostino Pallavicini, Anthony van Dyck, 1621–1623
 
Texture depicted in two-dimensions
Artists use color, line, and shading to imply textures. In this painting, the man's robe is painted to simulate silk. The ability to convincingly portray fabric of different types was one of the marks of a great painter during the 17th century.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
French Desk 1692-1700
Desk, French, 1692–1700
 

Surface texture
The surface of this writing desk is metallic and hard. The hard surface is functional for an object that would have been used for writing. The smooth surface of the writing desk reflects light, adding sparkle to this piece of furniture.

 

From the J. Paul Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/building_lessons/formal_analysis.html

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Texture