The application of paint in thick or varied layers or strokes. Impasto work can be any thickness or roughness of paint in deep brush marks, as distinct from a flat, smooth paint surface. Many artists have worked with – and continue to work with impasto in their paintings adding welcome depth and structure. Vincent Van Gogh’s art is characterised by having been painted with impasto much of the time.
See also PASTOSE and CRUSHED IMPASTO
Related: matter painting, and the word pastose.
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