Definition

Noun: 1. A technique in painting: The application of paint in thick layers or strokes, so that the marks of the brush or palette knife remain visible, creating a textured surface.

Usage

The term is used specifically in the context of visual art, particularly painting, to describe a physical quality of the paint application. - The artist's use of impasto gives the landscape a dynamic, almost sculptural quality. - You can see the heavy impasto in Van Gogh's later works, where the paint seems to swirl off the canvas.

Advanced Usage

• As an uncountable noun: Typically used without a plural form when referring to the technique or general style.
  • Her work is characterized by bold color and dramatic impasto.
• Referring to a specific area: Can be used to describe a particular section of a painting.
  • Look at the impasto in the clouds; it creates a wonderful sense of movement.

Variants and Related Words

• Impasted (adj): Describes paint that has been applied in an impasto manner.
  • The impasted highlights on the vase catch the light.
• Painterly (adj): While not a direct variant, this term often describes a style where brushwork and texture (like impasto) are evident, as opposed to a smooth, linear style.

Synonyms

• Heavy paint application: A more general descriptive phrase.
• Textured brushwork: Emphasizes the visible marks left by the tool.

Related Idioms or Phrases

(This term is highly specific to art technique and does not commonly feature in idioms or phrasal verbs.)

Noun

1. painting that applies the pigment thickly so that brush or palette knife marks are visible