5-2 TEXTURE AND PATTERN

Texture:texture is one of the three main elements of a picture - the others being design and shape. Of course their are many subdivisions that include color, light and shade etc.
1. The 'feathery' red hat is an example of Vermeer suggesting texture by means of 'working the edge'. This is probably the simplest method of creating a texture impression.

2. The polished ebony lions head is deliberately unfocused to bring it forward. Solid dots within a milky halo are the method used here to suggest polished highlights.

3. The blue silken sash below is made thin and silky by 'hard edge' differentials between the light and dark blue. The edges of the softer folds in the cape are not as harsh. I could have simply worked the edges to make it a fur coat.

Look, think discover the logic then apply it. This topic will be addressed in more detail later in the lesson on turning points and in the advanced lessons section on painting silk, satin, fur, linen, etc.

STUDENT ACTIVITY: Collect five more examples of 'edge texture' from magazines or from the internet.

Pattern

This is an excellent detail from a painting of an artist who identifies and repeats a simple shape.
I count more than ten repetitions of the sickle moon shape.
STUDENT ACTIVITY: Download and print the picture and indentify the ten repetitions.

The partuicular artist (?) was perceptive enough to realize the particular element  had a significance both as a descriptive shape regarding his subjects and as a religious and tribal icon (as it does to many other groups).

GO TO ... design your own
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