Texture in art is described as the way artists use their chosen medium to create a physical or tactile surface texture in their art. This could mean either creating a three dimensional aspect to the painting or drawing surface with their paint medium, or creating the appearance of texture.

When you make purchases through links on this site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Texture in art is the way an artist creates a visual feel or perceived surface on their work.

The artist may manipulate these elements to create a desired effect on the viewer. Texture can be used to create a sense of depth, add interest, or evoke certain emotions.

For example, a painting with rough texture might have smooth areas to provide relief from the busyness of the overall image. Some artists use texture as their primary means of expression, while others use it to complement other elements in their work.

There are actually two types of texture in art. The physical surface of the painting or drawing itself can have three dimensional properties.

Physical texture can be created with a limited number of mediums. The mediums used to create physical texture must be viscous and hold their shape when wet.

Grab a palette knife and paste paint onto the canvas to make interesting patterns and shapes. The second type of texture is illusory or visual texture, which is when the artist uses various elements to create the illusion of texture.

For example, an artist might use a dry-brush painting technique to create the look and feel of fur on an animal. Or, they could use contrasting colours to give the illusion of different textures in the same image.

For example, in the painting above, I stippled paint on the panel in short sharp strokes to create the illusion of leaf texture. Some artists use multiple methods of creating texture in a single work.

It can also be used to create a sense of movement or change. Artists can use thicker, more viscous mediums that hold their shape while drying to create physical texture in a painting.

Oil paint dries slowly and when painting in thick layers, it could take months to fully dry and harden. The solution to this, is to add an oil paint medium to the paint mixture.

If the paint cures and hardens faster, it will be ready to varnish, hang on the wall, or send to a gallery sooner.

You can use any kind of paint or drawing medium to create this effect. For example, watercolours can be used to create the illusion of fur, feathers, leaves on trees or grass.

You could also get a thin brush and runny paint, such as oil paint mixed with linseed oil, or gouache, and detail single brush strokes to represent grass shapes. Other art mediums such as clay can be used to create wonderful textures on vessels or sculptures.

There are a number of different supplies that can be used to create physical texture on an artwork’s surface. From dry mediums such as marble dust, or sand, to oil paint mediums such as cold wax.

Golden makes a range of awesome texture mediums that artists can add to their paint mixtures, or apply to the surface of their canvas or panel to paint or draw on top of. The texture mediums are mostly made to be used with acrylic paint, but some can be used with other media too.

Artists can incorporate Golden Gel mediums to their acrylic paint mixtures, to thicken the paint and to aid it in holding its shape. The Golden Gel mediums also come in a variety of formulations, each with a different purpose.

This is a fiber paste made by Golden that can be used as a painting or drawing ground. Apply it over your surface, making dynamic peaks and marks, or scratching into it whilst wet.

The Golden Molding Paste is one of our favourite texture mediums. This is another paste medium, similar to the Fibre Paste and comes in different textures.

It holds peaks on the surface and provides structure to a surface before painting. It’s relatively easy to control with a palette knife and depending on how thickly artists apply it to the surface, it will dry in a few hours.

Pumice gel adds an incredibly coarse texture to the surface. It can be difficult to control, so it takes a little practice to get to grips with.

Apply to a surface, then paint with acrylic over the top. This medium is particularly inflexible and can crumble when dry, so mix it with a little Golden Gel medium to make it more flexible.

Crackle paste shrinks as it dries, so when paint or another medium is applied over the top, it cracks and fragments, resulting in an awesome weathered effect. It can be used with acrylic paint to give a chipped paint look, or used on its own to crackle and flake.

The glass beads give a 3-dimensional quality to the surface and can be used as an interesting alternative to glitter. Mix it with your chosen paint colour, or apply it to the surface and paint over the top.

This is because Golden has manufactured so many textured pastes and gels specifically for acrylic painting. However, you can use some of the Golden pastes as textured grounds.

A beeswax and oil mixture, cold wax can be added to oil paint to create interesting texture and depth. You can apply it with a brush or painting knife to build up texture on the surface.

Cold wax dries to a matte finish and holds its shape on the surface. It also dries a little quicker than regular oil paint, so it’s useful for speeding up the drying time of the slow drying oils.

Liquin is a synthetic resin that you can add to oil paint to make it thicker. It’s useful for creating textured surfaces as it helps the paint hold its shape on the surface.

There are limited options for creating surface texture with watercolour. This is because watercolour is an incredibly thin, runny, water-based medium that has inherent self-levelling properties.

Artists can add Aquapasto to the paint mix to make soft and subtle peaks and texture with watercolour paint. Simply add some colour to the medium and spread across the paper with a brush.

Use this medium with watercolour or gouache. It’s super easy to create texture with salt.

Salt is absorbent, so the water in the watercolour will pool around it. Although this method doesn’t create pronounced texture, it can create the appearance of movement and a mottled effect.

For example, if you’re using thick, heavy body paint, make sure to use a stiff applicator like a bristle brush or synthetic alternative, or even a palette knife, so that you can move the thick paint across the surface effectively. Once you have your materials, it’s time to start creating.

ART LESSONS Back Art Lessons – Introduction African Masks African Masks Back African Mask Index African Mask Examples African Mask Examples Back Baule Mask Biombo Mask Bwa Plank Mask Dan Mask Goma Mask Kota Mask Kwele Mask Ligbi Mask Lulua Mask Lwalwa Mask Pende Mask Punu Mask Senufo Mask Teke Mask Woyo Mask Yohure Mask African Mask Information African Mask Information Back African Mask Artists African Mask Functions African Mask Materials African Mask Patterns African Mask Styles African Mask Design African Mask Design Back African Mask Design – Introduction African Mask Design – Step 1 African Mask Design – Step 2 African Mask Design – Step 3 African Mask Design – Step 4 African Mask Design – Step 5 African Mask Design – Step 6 African Mask Design – Step 7 African Mask Design – Step 8 African Art Clip Art Aboriginal Art Aboriginal Art Back Aboriginal Art – Introduction Aboriginal Art Styles – Rock Art Aboriginal Art Styles – Bark Painting Aboriginal Art Styles – Dot Painting Aboriginal Art Lessons – Introduction Aboriginal Art Lessons – Hand Stencil Designs Aboriginal Art Lessons – Boomerang Designs Aboriginal Art Lessons – Dot Art Aboriginal Art Lessons – X-Ray Art Aboriginal Art – The Dreaming Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – The Rainbow Serpent Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – Ilipari the Lizard Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – Tiddalik the Frog Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – The Seven Sisters Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – The Emu in the Sky Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – The Mimi Spirits Aboriginal Symbols Aboriginal Symbols – Person Aboriginal Symbols – Man Aboriginal Symbols – Woman Aboriginal Symbols – People Sitting Aboriginal Symbols – Campsite / Waterhole Aboriginal Symbols – Resting Place Aboriginal Symbols – Connected Waterholes Aboriginal Symbols – Water, Smoke or Fire Aboriginal Symbols – Human Track Aboriginal Symbols – Possum Track Aboriginal Symbols – Emu Track Aboriginal Symbols – Kangaroo Track Aboriginal Symbols – Witchetty Grub Aboriginal Symbols – Honey Ant Aboriginal Symbols – Honey Ant Site Aboriginal Symbols – Bush Yam Aboriginal Symbols – Rain Aboriginal Symbols – Rainbow / Cloud Aboriginal Symbols – Moon Aboriginal Symbols – Star Aboriginal Art – Free Clip Art Symbols Aboriginal Art – Free Clip Art Images Drawing and Painting Trees Drawing and Painting Trees Back Drawing Branches Drawing a Tree Drawing a Tree in Spring Drawing a Tree in Summer Drawing a Tree in Autumn Drawing a Tree In Winter Pencil Portraits Pencil Portraits Back Pencil Portraits – Introduction Drawing a Pencil Portrait Drawing a Pencil Portrait – The Eyes Drawing a Pencil Portrait – The Nose Drawing a Pencil Portrait – The Mouth Drawing a Pencil Portrait – The Ear The Proportions of a Head Pencil Shading Techniques Charcoal Portraits Charcoal Portraits Back Charcoal Portraits – Introduction Drawing a Charcoal Portrait Charcoal Portrait – Drawing the Eyes Charcoal Portrait – Drawing the Nose Charcoal Portrait – Drawing the Mouth Charcoal Portrait – Drawing the Hair Charcoal Portrait – Lighting a Portrait Charcoal Portraits – Materials and Techniques Color Pencil Portraits Color Pencil Portraits Back Drawing a Color Pencil Portrait Color Pencil Portrait – The Line Drawing Color Pencil Portrait – Drawing the Eyes Color Pencil Portrait – Drawing the Nose Color Pencil Portrait – Drawing the Mouth Color Pencil Portrait – Drawing the Skin Color Pencil Portrait – Drawing the Hair Color Pencil Portrait – Drawing the Clothes Color Pencil Portrait – Materials and Techniques Ancient Egyptian Art Lessons Ancient Egyptian Art Lessons Back Egyptian Art Lessons How to Draw an Ancient Egyptian Head Ancient Egyptian Crowns Ancient Egyptian Gods Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Back Hieroglyphic Alphabet Egyptian Hieroghyphs – A-B-C Egyptian Hieroghyphs – D-E-F Egyptian Hieroghyphs – G-H-I Egyptian Hieroghyphs – J-K-L Egyptian Hieroghyphs – M-N-O Egyptian Hieroghyphs – P-Q-R Egyptian Hieroghyphs – S-T-U Egyptian Hieroghyphs – V-W-X Egyptian Hieroghyphs – Y-Z-CH Egyptian Hieroghyphs – PH-SH-TH Egyptian Hieroghyphs – Ankh-Scarab-Wedjat Egyptian Hieroghyphs – Pectoral Egyptian Hieroghyphs – Rosetta Stone Ancient Egyptian Cartouche Lesson Still Life Still Life Back Still life with Pencil Still Life with Chalk Pastels Still Life with Oil Pastels Still Life Painting – Introduction Still Life – Painting the Background Still Life – Painting Bottles Still Life – Painting a Vase Still Life – Painting Apples Still Life – Painting Reflective Objects Cubist Still Life Cubist Still Life Back Cubist Still Life Drawing Cubist Still life Painting Pop Art Portraits Pop Art Portraits Back Pop Art Portrait Lessons Pop Art Portrait Lesson Plan Pop Art Group Project Pop Art Portrait Examples Pop Art Portrait Examples Back Abraham Lincoln Albert Einstein Audrey Hepburn Barack Obama Bob Marley Diana Ross Elvis Presley Frankenstein John Lennon Johnny Depp Marilyn Monroe Dr.

Spock Muhammad Ali Oliver Hardy Stan Laurel Princess Diana Chuck Close Portrait Lesson – A Group Project Perspective Drawing Perspective Drawing Back Perspective Drawing – Introduction The Picture Plane and the Ground Plane The Horizon and the Eye Level One Point Perspective Two Point Perspective Three Point Perspective The Perspective of a Circle The Perspective of a Cylinder Using a Central Eye Level Using a High Eye Level Using a Low Eye Level Geometry in Art Pen and Ink Drawing Pen and Ink Drawing Back Pen and Ink Drawing Lessons Pen and Ink Drawing – A Detailed Technique Pen and Ink Drawing – An Expressive Technique Pen and Ink Drawing Techniques Pen and Ink Drawing Worksheets Pen and Ink Drawing Worksheets Back Hatching Techniques Stippling Techniques Tile and Brick Patterns Aerial Perspective Aerial Perspective Back Aerial Perspective Introduction Aerial Perspective – Painting a Natural Landscape Aerial Perspective – Painting an Urban Landscape Aerial Perspective – Painting Graduating Tones Drawing Animals Drawing Animals Back Drawing Animals How to Draw a Beetle How to Draw a Butterfly How to Draw a Cat How to Draw a Dog How to Draw a Horse How to Draw a Rhino How to Draw a Squirrel How to Draw a Tiger How to Draw a Tropical Fish How to Paint a Dog How to Paint a Parrot.

African Mask Examples Back Baule Mask Biombo Mask Bwa Plank Mask Dan Mask Goma Mask Kota Mask Kwele Mask Ligbi Mask Lulua Mask Lwalwa Mask Pende Mask Punu Mask Senufo Mask Teke Mask Woyo Mask Yohure Mask. African Mask Information Back African Mask Artists African Mask Functions African Mask Materials African Mask Patterns African Mask Styles.

Aboriginal Art Back Aboriginal Art – Introduction Aboriginal Art Styles – Rock Art Aboriginal Art Styles – Bark Painting Aboriginal Art Styles – Dot Painting Aboriginal Art Lessons – Introduction Aboriginal Art Lessons – Hand Stencil Designs Aboriginal Art Lessons – Boomerang Designs Aboriginal Art Lessons – Dot Art Aboriginal Art Lessons – X-Ray Art Aboriginal Art – The Dreaming Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – The Rainbow Serpent Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – Ilipari the Lizard Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – Tiddalik the Frog Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – The Seven Sisters Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – The Emu in the Sky Aboriginal Dreaming Stories – The Mimi Spirits Aboriginal Symbols Aboriginal Symbols – Person Aboriginal Symbols – Man Aboriginal Symbols – Woman Aboriginal Symbols – People Sitting Aboriginal Symbols – Campsite / Waterhole Aboriginal Symbols – Resting Place Aboriginal Symbols – Connected Waterholes Aboriginal Symbols – Water, Smoke or Fire Aboriginal Symbols – Human Track Aboriginal Symbols – Possum Track Aboriginal Symbols – Emu Track Aboriginal Symbols – Kangaroo Track Aboriginal Symbols – Witchetty Grub Aboriginal Symbols – Honey Ant Aboriginal Symbols – Honey Ant Site Aboriginal Symbols – Bush Yam Aboriginal Symbols – Rain Aboriginal Symbols – Rainbow / Cloud Aboriginal Symbols – Moon Aboriginal Symbols – Star Aboriginal Art – Free Clip Art Symbols Aboriginal Art – Free Clip Art Images.

Pencil Portraits Back Pencil Portraits – Introduction Drawing a Pencil Portrait Drawing a Pencil Portrait – The Eyes Drawing a Pencil Portrait – The Nose Drawing a Pencil Portrait – The Mouth Drawing a Pencil Portrait – The Ear The Proportions of a Head Pencil Shading Techniques.

Whether you’re a new home-owner embarking on a redecorating project, or just looking to freshen up a tired space, one of the best ways to establish the personality of a room is by decorating the walls with art. Most furniture stores sell wall decorations, and it may be easy to pick up a few character pieces from large retailers like Ikea, HomeGoods, Target, Marshalls, and even Lowes.

In this article, we’ll go over the differences between mass-produced art and original art and try to figure out why you should buy original art.

Its opposite is a reproduction: a print or even a poster, manufactured in larger quantities by a machine. Original art is typically far more expensive than reproductions.

Many photographers or graphic artists will only print a limited quantity of their artwork, anywhere from 1-200 copies. The smaller the edition size, the more valuable the artwork will typically be.

Its one-of-a-kind nature makes original fine art a ‘rarity.’ Just like you, there are no other versions of this artwork out there, making it very special and valuable. For the right to have the only ‘living’ version of an artwork, you have to pay more.

This is why the mass-produced versions are far less expensive. Art buyers would not be willing to spend as much money for a ‘common’ item.

The mechanical nature of this allows countless reproductions to be created at a time. However, original artwork takes a lot more time.

Because of how difficult and time-consuming that artwork was to create, the artist needs to charge more money, in order to earn a liveable wage. In order to be easily produced in large quantities, the quality of prints and reproductions suffer.

For this reason, prints and other reproductions will be made using less expensive materials, creating a much ‘flatter’ look than original fine art. Original fine art is hand-crafted by an artist, ensuring a finer, more carefully perfected quality.

The average person is not a multi-millionaire art collector. For many, the act of purchasing art is very informal, often an impulsive buy at a furniture store, flea market, or craft fair.

A secret about buying art that many don’t know is that you don’t need to be a millionaire to afford original, high-quality artwork. Many galleries, even in New York City, offer some artwork for more affordable prices.

Though it may be more expensive and a more time-consuming process to find the right original artwork, there are many benefits when compared to mass-produced wall art. And what’s the point of buying artwork for your living space if it doesn’t look great.

Mass-produced reproductions use commercial inks instead of oil or acrylic paints, and they are printed by machines. Sometimes, your mass-produced artwork will look pixelated or digitally rendered when you look closely at it.

A one-of-a-kind artwork will make your space your own. How often have you noticed the same Ikea artwork in several friends’ living rooms.

Original artworks have depth – literally. Whether gallery wrapped around stretcher bars or framed for protection, an original artwork will actually pop off the walls.

There’s not much conversation value in “Oh, I bought this from [any major retailer]. However, when you buy original art, it’s often an adventure.

Or you might have seen it in an art gallery on a vacation. Because the process of buying original artwork is so different from buying mass-produced consumer artwork, you can usually expect to have a great story to tell at the end of it.

The higher quality looks, the originality, the depth, and the story behind the original artwork all add up to help create a strong emotional connection to the original artwork you end up buying. The sheer fact that original artwork can often cost more money means that you wouldn’t end up buying it unless you already felt a connection and attraction to this artwork.

The great thing about buying artwork is that it can often appreciate in value. Unlike furniture or Pottery Barn statement pieces, artwork typically does not lose its value for having been pre-owned.

So when is it beneficial to buy art reproductions.

Fortunately, original art is more available than you might think. Next time you’re looking for artwork, you can buy original art at:

When you go on vacations, be sure to check out the art scenes in your destination to get a taste of foreign flair.

Benefit from our curatorial services. To know more, contact us at [email protected].

Tell us about your most treasured work of art and how you acquired it. Comment below or send us an email at [email protected].

You might be asking, What are the 7 Elements of Art and How Do I Teach Them. The Elements 7 Elements of Art are: Line, Value, Color, Space, Shape, Form, and Texture and they are the foundations or building blocks that artists use to make art.

The Elements of Art are the Foundations or building blogs of artworks and creating Visual Art. The 7 Elements of Art are: Line, Value, Color, Space, Shape, Form, and Texture.

Let’s dive into the 7 Elements of Art and Learn How to Teach them. The 7 Elements of Art are: Line, Value, Color, Space, Shape, Form, and Texture.

Line: Line is described as a moving dot. It is the most basic element of drawing and can be used to create shapes, contours, can vary in thickness and texture, can be used for shading, and create texture.

Color: Color is the Element of Art that involves reflected light. When light reflects off an object, a hue is produced.

Colors can also be placed in Color Schemes such as Warm, Cool, or Neutral. Value: Value is the Element of Art that describes the relative lightness or darkness of a color.

Shape: Shape is the Element of Art that describes enclosed two-dimensional areas. Shapes can be geometrical or organic in nature.

They have volume & take up space. Space: Space is the Element of Art that is used to create the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.

Texture: Texture is the Element of Art that is associated with the way a surface feels or how it might feel if it were to be touched. Texture can be soft, rough, smooth, fuzzy, etc.

What Elements of Art should I Teach first. Everyone has their own opinion but I have my own and I teach it in this way because the early ones are needed for creating the ones learned later.

This is my order for which I teach the Elements of Art and I go more in depth on this in my FREE Elements of Art Pro-D webinar that you can register for and watch online at your convenience.

In my opinion, this order is easiest for children to understand and provides a natural progression of building blocks. I also get this question asked often and it really ties into the order I teach the Elements of Art.

And speaking of Line, I always start with the Element of Art Line and believe it is the Easiest Element of Art to Teach because line is a moving dot and can be created in many ways by all ages. It is accessible and is needed for creating and understanding the other Elements of Art.

Any time you’re teaching drawing or art, no matter what, it is an opportunity to teach or reinforce the Elements of Art and show it in action. Outside of teaching art lessons that focus on an element of Art or teaching a full unit, I believe in talking about Elements of Art as I use them in any art project.

I don’t have to go crazy on it, but you can definitely do a think-pair-share or do a 5 minute classroom discussion or just mention it to reinforce it to your students. It is like test prep but all the time so that is solidified in your student’s minds and they can see it in action.

Essentially, you’re making your thinking visible to your students and are showing them intentions behind what your doing and showing them how the Elements of Art are used as building blocks in ANY artwork. Another way to do this is to view historical artworks and ask students: “What Elements of Art do you see.

Click here to download my Free Art Projects that you can use in your classroom.

1) Free Elements of Art Webinar (Online Pro-D Resource): Gain valuable insight for teaching the Elements of Art to your students. I will talk about the order in which I teach the Elements & provide you with ideas for art lessons you can do for each Element.

*Special Bonuses included. SIGN UP NOW.

I highly recommend looking at the Elements of Art category for all my Elements of Art resources that includes everything from workbooks, task cards, art lessons, and full art units on each of the Elements of Art. 3) Find them in the Artastic Collective Art Curriculum: If you’re looking for a more complete solution, you can get a fully planned Art Curriculum that includes my Elements of Art resources at the Artastic Collective.

Make sure you click here to learn more about this life-changing Art Curriculum designed for Art Education. The 7 Elements of Art are: Line, Value, Color, Shape, Form, Space, and Texture.

Remember to teach What the 7 Elements Are, Teach the Element of Art Line first, then teach Value and Color next, Embed the Elements into ALL your art lessons, then grab some Elements of Art resources to teach confidently in your classroom.

Fabric art is a highly versatile form of artistic expression that allows individuals to unleash their creativity and create stunning pieces. One key element that can elevate fabric art to the next level is the use of contrast and balance to create a focal point.

In fabric art, a focal point refers to a specific area or element that is intended to be the main focus of the piece. It serves as a visual anchor, drawing the viewer in and guiding their gaze.

By understanding the concept of a focal point, fabric artists can effectively guide the viewer’s attention and convey their intended message. When it comes to fabric art, the focal point is not just a random element thrown into the composition.

Fabric artists consider the overall theme and message they want to convey before deciding on the focal point. They analyze the subject matter and determine which element will best capture the essence of their artwork.

They strategically choose a vibrant or contrasting color that stands out from the rest of the piece. This color choice draws the viewer’s eye and creates a sense of visual interest.

Contrast plays a crucial role in creating a focal point in fabric art. By juxtaposing elements that are visually different, such as light and dark colors, smooth and rough textures, or large and small shapes, fabric artists can create a visual tension that captures the viewer’s attention.

Texture is another element that fabric artists use to create contrast and enhance the focal point. They may incorporate different fabrics with varying textures, such as silk, velvet, or lace, to add depth and tactile interest to the artwork.

Composition also plays a significant role in creating a focal point through contrast. Fabric artists carefully arrange the elements within the piece to direct the viewer’s gaze towards the focal point.

While contrast helps create a focal point, balance ensures that the overall composition of the fabric art remains harmonious. Balance refers to the distribution of visual elements across the piece in a way that creates stability and equilibrium.

Fabric artists carefully consider the placement of the focal point within the composition to maintain balance. They may use the surrounding elements to create a sense of symmetry or asymmetry, depending on the desired effect.

In addition to visual balance, fabric artists also consider the emotional and conceptual balance of their artwork. They aim to create a cohesive piece that evokes the desired emotions and effectively communicates their intended message.

Understanding the concept of a focal point and its relationship with contrast and balance is essential for fabric artists. By mastering these principles, they can create captivating and visually engaging artworks that leave a lasting impression on the viewer.

By strategically incorporating various elements, such as color, texture, balance, and composition, artists can draw attention to specific areas and make their pieces visually engaging. One effective technique for creating a focal point is to utilize contrasting colors and textures.

This contrast not only adds visual interest but also enhances the overall impact of the artwork. Similarly, incorporating rough, textured fabrics against smooth surfaces can create a visually striking contrast that further emphasizes the focal point.

For instance, imagine a fabric art piece depicting a serene landscape. By using a vibrant red fabric to create a blooming flower amidst a sea of soft, earthy tones, the artist can instantly create a focal point that captures the viewer’s attention.

Another technique that fabric artists can employ to create a focal point is by utilizing symmetry or asymmetry in their compositions. Symmetry, which involves arranging elements in a mirrored fashion, creates a sense of stability and balance.

On the other hand, asymmetry challenges the viewer’s expectations and adds visual interest. By intentionally placing elements off-center or using different sizes and shapes, fabric artists can create a focal point that captures attention while maintaining an overall sense of balance.

For example, imagine a fabric art piece depicting a flock of birds in flight. By arranging the birds in a symmetrical formation around a central focal point, such as a majestic tree, the artist can create a sense of order and balance.

Alternatively, the artist could experiment with asymmetry by positioning the birds in a scattered formation, with some flying closer to the tree and others farther away. This asymmetrical arrangement would create a more dynamic focal point, capturing the viewer’s attention and adding a sense of movement to the artwork.

By skillfully incorporating contrasting colors and textures, as well as experimenting with symmetry and asymmetry in their compositions, artists can draw attention to specific areas and make their fabric art visually compelling.

Contrast and balance are not opposing concepts. rather, they complement each other.

By effectively marrying contrast and balance, fabric artists can create focal points that captivate without overwhelming the viewer. However, achieving the right balance between contrast and balance can be challenging.

Another pitfall is an insufficient contrast, causing the focal point to blend in with the rest of the artwork. Fabric artists must carefully evaluate their pieces to ensure that both contrast and balance are present and working together harmoniously.

To enhance your fabric art with effective focal points, start by analyzing your composition and identifying potential areas for a focal point. Experiment with different colors, textures, and compositions to find the combination that best captures attention.

If you find yourself struggling to achieve the right balance between contrast and balance, seek inspiration from other fabric artists or art forms. Study how they utilize contrast and balance to create focal points and apply those principles to your own work.

mastering focal point creation in fabric art takes time, patience, and a willingness to learn. By understanding the concept of a focal point, utilizing contrast and balance effectively, and employing various techniques, fabric artists can elevate their creations to new heights.

Whether it’s the use of vibrant colors, contrasting textures, or thoughtfully arranged compositions, fabric art that employs contrast and balance in focal point creation is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Several illustrators in this series explain how they experiment with different materials and techniques to find those that are most appropriate for the story they are telling. As you watch the artists discuss these periods of exploration, listen for their explanations about the choices they made when it comes to their methods and materials, and why they made them.

Watch the videos of Yuyi Morales and Vesper Stamper, looking out for each artist’s descriptions of her experiments with different media as she developed her illustrations. Ms.

Stamper’s interview, you can watch from 11:40 to 15:15 to see some of the earlier iterations of the images for her book “What the Night Sings.”. Then, respond to the following prompts:

Morales and Ms. Stamper experimented with different materials and techniques.

What did each artist say about why she experimented with different approaches for her illustrations. What was she trying to achieve.

Stamper said that watercolor worked because it matched the mood of the book and felt “archival.” What do you think she meant by that. What other material might have worked here.

Try It: Exploring Different Media. Choose one or more of these activities to try out new media and techniques:

Take a work of art that you have already created and make a new version of it in a different medium. You might try painting, collaging, turning a 2-D image into a 3-D sculpture, embroidering the image or mixing media and techniques.

How can you change the mood of an artwork, or our view of its subject matter, through choices like these.

Morales described material exploration and experimentation as a way of teaching herself art techniques. Is there a medium or process that you have always wanted to try but have never had the chance to.

Fill a few sketchbook pages with your experiments. What do you notice about what is easy and difficult with this new medium.

What kind of subject matter do you think would be most suited to this process. Try putting your new expertise to work, and create an image of that subject.

Morales and Ms. Stamper did, making purposeful decisions based on your experiments.