Oil painting is a medium that has captivated artists for centuries, offering a rich, tactile canvas for creative exploration. We learned this the hard way… Within this vast realm, the impasto technique stands out as a powerful tool for conveying emotion, texture, and depth. By applying paint thickly onto the surface, artists can create mesmerizing layers and dimensional effects that breathe life into their canvases.
Impasto, derived from the Italian word for “dough” or “mixture,” involves building up thick, textured brushstrokes or palette knife applications to achieve a sculptural quality in the paint. This technique allows artists to harness the inherent physicality of oil paints, transcending the limitations of a flat surface and inviting the viewer to engage with the work on a deeper, more sensory level.
Throughout the history of art, impasto has played a pivotal role, particularly in the Impressionist movement. Artists like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet embraced the technique to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, using bold, expressive brushwork to convey the energy and vitality of their subjects. In the hands of these masters, the impasto technique became a means of infusing their canvases with a palpable sense of motion and emotion.
The Joy of Impasto Painting
For modern artists, the allure of impasto painting lies in its ability to unleash raw creative expression. By manipulating the physical properties of oil paint, they can create surfaces that are both visually captivating and tactilely engaging. The process of applying thick, gestural strokes allows for an intuitive, almost meditative dialogue between the artist and the canvas.
One such artist who has found immense joy in exploring the possibilities of impasto is Suhail Mitoubsi, an abstract painter whose works are a testament to the transformative power of this technique. Mitoubsi’s canvases are a vibrant tapestry of colour, texture, and emotion, each layer of paint revealing a new depth of expression.
“There’s something magical about staring at a blank canvas and slowly bringing an image to life using vibrant oil paints and bold brushstrokes,” Mitoubsi explains. “The entire process relaxes me while also firing up my imagination. I love that abstract art leaves room for interpretation, with each viewer extracting their own meaning from the colours, textures, and shapes.”
Mitoubsi’s approach to impasto is deeply informed by his reverence for the natural world. He finds endless inspiration in the organic forms, captivating colours, and mesmerising patterns of the environment, which he then translates into abstract compositions through his expressive brushwork.
“Nature overflows with organic shapes, captivating colours, and mesmerising patterns that I aim to capture in my art,” Mitoubsi says. “I let organic shapes emerge intuitively from the paint instead of trying to replicate exactly what I saw. This allows me to focus on nature’s essence and translate it into a visual language that resonates with the viewer on an emotional level.”
The Evolution of Impasto
Impasto techniques have evolved throughout the centuries, adapting to the changing artistic movements and the creative visions of individual artists. From the Venetian Renaissance, where painters like Titian and Tintoretto used impasto to create intricate figurative scenes, to the Baroque period with artists like Rembrandt and Rubens, the technique has been a constant in the arsenal of skilled painters.
The Impressionist movement, in particular, embraced impasto as a means of capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Mitoubsi’s approach to impasto painting is deeply rooted in this Impressionist tradition, but he has also expanded upon it to create his own distinctive style.
“Impasto allows me to recreate nature’s soul and energy beyond mere visual recreation,” Mitoubsi explains. “My art is an invitation to immerse yourself in the emotions of the natural world. I strive to evoke the feelings that nature stirs in me – awe, peace, joy, melancholy, tranquillity, and exhilaration.”
Mastering the Art of Impasto
Achieving the perfect impasto effect requires a deep understanding of the unique properties of oil paint and a willingness to experiment with various techniques and tools. Artists who have mastered the impasto technique often use a combination of brushes, palette knives, and other unconventional tools to manipulate the paint and create their desired textures.
One of the key considerations when working with impasto is the choice of oil paint. High-quality, buttery-smooth paints that retain their viscosity and allow for thick application are essential. Many artists, including Mitoubsi, favour brands like Winsor & Newton, Sennelier, or Old Holland, which offer a wide range of richly pigmented, high-impasto paints.
“Oil paint is a material that is more beautiful the more you use it, that is to say, the more you make it rich, thick and concentrated,” Mitoubsi says, quoting the renowned Impressionist painter Claude Monet. “The luminescence of the colour is hard to beat. I’m drawn to bold hues like cadmium red, phthalo blue, and lemon yellow straight from the tube.”
In addition to the paint itself, the choice of application tools plays a crucial role in achieving the desired impasto effects. Palette knives, with their sharp, bevelled edges, allow artists to create thick, sculptural strokes and defined textures. Brushes with stiff, synthetic bristles can also be employed to build up layers of paint and create a sense of movement and energy on the canvas.
Unleashing Creativity through Impasto
The beauty of impasto lies in its ability to encourage experimentation and spontaneity. By embracing the unpredictable nature of the technique, artists can discover new and unexpected ways to express their creative vision. Mitoubsi, for instance, often lets the paint guide his compositions, following his intuition and allowing the impasto process to reveal itself organically.
“Creating a new abstract oil painting is an organic, intuitive process for me,” Mitoubsi explains. “I don’t start with a preplanned composition – I let the art emerge through experimentation and flow. I begin each painting by quieting my mind and focusing on my intention. As I make the first strokes and washes on the blank canvas, I pay attention to any colours, shapes, or textures I feel instinctively drawn to at that moment.”
This openness to the creative process allows Mitoubsi to tap into raw emotion and impulse, resulting in paintings that are brimming with energy, texture, and depth. The impasto technique becomes a conduit for his inner artistic expression, allowing him to translate the essence of nature, music, and personal experience into a visual language that resonates with the viewer.
Impasto and the Creative Muse
For many artists, the impasto technique serves as a bridge between the physical and the ethereal, connecting their inner creative yearnings with the tangible act of painting. Mitoubsi, in particular, finds that immersing himself in nature and surrounding himself with music are crucial sources of inspiration for his impasto explorations.
“Escaping into nature is the best way to clear my mind and open myself up to creative inspiration,” Mitoubsi says. “The innate peace and quiet helps slow down my thoughts, and I become more observant of the small details around me. Focusing on carefully observing and capturing nature’s nuances immerses me in a meditative state, and new abstract concepts start percolating.”
Mitoubsi also finds that music plays a vital role in shaping the rhythm and emotion of his impasto paintings. By letting the melodies, rhythms, and tones of his chosen musical accompaniment guide his brushstrokes, he is able to infuse his canvases with a palpable sense of vibrational energy.
“Music is another vital source of inspiration for my abstract oil paintings,” Mitoubsi explains. “The tempo, tone, and structure of songs impact the feeling of my abstract art. Upbeat pop or instrumental music elicits energetic, vibrant paintings, while ambient electronic music brings out a more soothing, dreamy quality. I let the music take me on a journey, responding intuitively in the moment.”
Embracing the Impasto Approach
As artists continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with oil paint, the impasto technique remains a powerful and captivating tool for creative expression. By embracing the texture, depth, and emotion that impasto can bring to a canvas, painters can unlock new avenues for exploration and personal growth.
Whether you’re a seasoned oil painter or a budding artist, the impasto approach offers a world of possibilities. Mitoubsi’s journey with this technique serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing the physical and intuitive qualities of the medium.
“Creating abstract art with oil paints is a great passion for me,” Mitoubsi reflects. “Through intuitive creative expression, I find flow, meaning, and connection to something greater than myself. I hope by sharing my personal journey with abstract art, I’ve shed light on the creative rewards it offers. We all have an artist within us, waiting to emerge. Abstract painting provides the freedom to play, imagine, and relax in the process.”
So, take a deep breath, gather your palette knives and oil paints, and embark on your own impasto exploration. Let the textures, layers, and emotions of this captivating technique guide you on a journey of artistic discovery and self-expression. The canvas awaits, ready to be transformed by the power of your impasto brushstrokes.
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique