impasto

[ im-pas-toh, -pah-stoh ]

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

/ ɪmˈpæstəʊ /

noun

1. paint applied thickly, so that brush and palette knife marks are evident
2. the technique of applying paint in this way

Word History and Origins

Origin of impasto¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of impasto¹

C18: from Italian, from impastare; see impaste

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times

Was it possible that van Gogh had deliberately added handfuls of sand and pebbles to his paint to thicken his impasto and give it a grittier texture?

From New York Times

But the artist’s representational pictures retained elements of his abstractions, including their loose brushwork, thick impasto and a palette heavy on pink, red and black.

From Washington Post

“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

It’s here where he starts moving on from the more conservative palette of his earlier work to the vivid colors — and the beginnings of his signature thick brushstrokes, or “impasto” — of his most famous works.

From Washington Post