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Visual Texture is the illusion of a three-dimensional surface. We use our hands to feel real Texture. Think about what you feel when you run your hands over the bark of a tree. Now think about what the surface of a piece of sandpaper feels like. These objects have real Texture, texture you can feel as well as see. Artists strive very hard to imitate the look and feel of real Texture in works of art. Perhaps an artist can't "make" the bark of a tree in his landscape "feel" like real bark, but the viewer will "see" the Texture and be able to associate it with the rough feel of actual bark. Artists are masters of deception. In some works, the viewer is tempted to actually reach out and touch a work of art because it looks like it has a Texture. They are surprised to feel only brushstrokes or a flat surface. The eye is tricked into seeing a "real" Texture. Other artist purposefully add a "felt" texture to the surface of their work. This allows the viewer to see actual Texture and appreciate the interest Texture gives to a piece of art. Let's explore Texture and see how artists create visual Texture.

Oscar Kockaska, (Austrian) 1886-1980, Self-Portrait of a"Degenerate Artist", Oil on canvas

This is a self-portrait. That means that the artist painted a picture of him/her self. The thick application of the paint and the use of many colors to accent the paint strokes gives this painting a Textured quality.

What was the artist trying to say by applying the paint and colors in such a way?


Shanon Fitzpatrick, 11th Grade, Coral Study , Pen and Ink, 7 x 14"

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?


Gustav Klimt, (Austrian)1862-1918, Emilie Floge, 1902 ;Oil on canvas, Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien, Vienna

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.

Ted M., 6th Grade, Self-portrait, Weaving, 8 x 12", Student work

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.

Paul Klee (French) 1879-1940, Ad Parnassem, 1932 ,Oil on canvas, 39 x 49 in.

At first glance, with the image so small, you may notice the shapes used in this work first, before you notice the texture. Look below at the detail, or close-up of a section of this work and what do you notice first?

The entire surface of this painting is covered in thick, rectangular brushstrokes of color.

Can you imagine what this painting would feel like if you could touch it?

Why do you think the added texture works with this painting?

Klee (pronounced "clay") adds the texture to make the work visually interesting. The colors and lines of the work are extremely simple. The added texture adds detail.

How would circular brushstrokes have worked with this piece?


Create A Texture Rubbing Sampler (Studio Activity)
Identifying Textures (Print and Complete)