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impasto

American  
[im-pas-toh, -pah-stoh] / ɪmˈpæs toʊ, -ˈpɑ stoʊ /

noun

Painting.
  1. the laying on of paint thickly.

  2. the paint so laid on.

  3. enamel or slip applied to a ceramic object to form a decoration in low relief.


impasto British  
/ ɪmˈpæstəʊ /

noun

  1. paint applied thickly, so that brush and palette knife marks are evident

  2. the technique of applying paint in this way

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of impasto

1775–85; < Italian, noun derivative of impastare to impaste

Vocabulary lists containing impasto

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The paint itself ranges from thick impasto to thin washes that can presage those of Color Field paintings.

From New York Times • Jul. 27, 2023

“Rail,” which is thick with black impasto and bright colors fighting to be seen, has been cut apart and stitched back together.

From Washington Post • Jul. 28, 2022

On the white underpainting for a composition in progress, she pointed to the turbulent strokes and impasto — a contrast with the discipline of the finished works.

From New York Times • Feb. 10, 2022

The nets she painted were made from a repetitive singular gesture of impasto in little loops, like interlocking scales; the longest canvases measured 30ft.

From The Guardian • Sep. 23, 2018

For most of June and July he paints landscapes, thick with impasto, textured, colorful.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman