Impasto Clay Painting
Impasto is a technique used in painting, where paint
is laid on an area of the surface very thickly, usually
thick enough that the brush strokes are visible. When
dry, impasto provides texture, the paint appears to be
coming out of the canvas.
The word impasto is Italian in origin; in that
language it means "dough" or "mixture"
Van Gogh
• Van Gogh is said to be a pioneer in using the
impasto technique. Van Gogh used impasto
not just to add dimension to his paintings but
to add emotion and movement. We see this
movement in the swirling clouds of Wheat
Field with Cypresses and Starry Night.
Van Gogh
Van Gogh Close-up
When using clay, this will be a great
way to show texture and create a low
relief design…
Step 1: Start with a flat slop of
clay about ½ inch thick.
Step 2: Try using different tools to get
various effects of textured clay…push
areas down and raise other areas.
Day 1: get a basic idea
of where you want your
objects or design
Day 2: The clay will dry
a bit and you can start
adding details…
We will let the clay completely dry
before it is fired. (Don’t ask me when
the clay will be ready)
When it is out of the kiln, you will use
acrylic paint to add color.
You won’t need to lay the paint on
thick, let the clay be the thickness…
Options
• Option 1: Create an Impasto Portrait
Options
• Option 2: Impasto Landscape or Seascape:
• Look at the way the sky or water flows
Options
• Option 3-Use a part of another artist’s
impasto painting. Zoom in on a section of the
artists work. You can change color and
design…
Options
• Option 4-Use another artist’s painting style or
idea and make it your own…
Sketch
• I want you to have 3 different ideas before you
get your clay slab.
• You will need to have a final idea before you
start “DIGGING IN”!
Next Class
• You will get your clay when you have your
sketches.
• Smooth out the clay on a plastic sheet.
• Play with different tools and textures.
• Square off the clay to make it even.
• Start creating a basic layout of what you want
to create!