impasto

Impasto is a painting technique in which paint is laid on the surface in very thick layers, so that the brush or palette knife marks are visible and the surface becomes textured and sculptural. The word derives from the Italian impasto, meaning “dough” or “mixture,” reflecting the dense consistency of the paint.

Traditionally associated with oil painting, impasto has been used since the Renaissance and gained dramatic expressiveness in Baroque painting and later periods. It was embraced by Post-Impressionists and modern painters seeking painterly, tactile effects, with Vincent van Gogh serving as a well-known example of thick, energetic brushwork.

Techniques for achieving impasto include applying paint directly from the tube or with a medium or paste that increases stiffness. Tools such as brushes, palette knives, and spatulas are common. In oil painting, thick layers can be built up with layering, knife work, and slow-drying media; in acrylics, commercial impasto gels and pastes enable similar texture.

Impasto affects light and perception by catching highlights and casting shadows on the raised surface, producing a sense of movement and depth. It can pose challenges for conservation due to cracking or dust accumulation and may slow drying times. In contemporary practice, impasto remains a versatile method for expressive texture in painting.