Technique
Impasto
Paint applied so thickly that brush or palette-knife marks form a physical relief on the surface.
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Understanding the term
Thick paint catches changing light and makes the brushwork physically present. Impasto is common in oil and acrylic. Heavy layers may develop cracks over time if support, binder and drying behaviour do not work together stably.
When Impasto is given as a technique, it describes the process that created the work's impression, structure or surface. Technique and subject are distinct: very different images can be made using the same method.
The process can often be read in edges, lines, layers and surface. It can also explain natural variation between examples and offer useful evidence about workflow, edition and appropriate care.
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