impasto
Americannoun
-
the laying on of paint thickly.
-
the paint so laid on.
-
enamel or slip applied to a ceramic object to form a decoration in low relief.
noun
-
paint applied thickly, so that brush and palette knife marks are evident
-
the technique of applying paint in this way
Etymology
Origin of impasto
1775–85; < Italian, noun derivative of impastare to impaste
Vocabulary lists containing impasto
National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 3
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Visual Arts - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Art History
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 • May 11, 2023
“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 • Jul. 28, 2022
Mr. Clark sometimes stains but mostly he wields wide brushes and even brooms, magnifying impasto and brushwork in piled-up strokes that seem to squirm on the surface.
From New York Times • Sep. 27, 2018
The nets she painted were made from a repetitive singular gesture of impasto in little loops, like interlocking scales; the longest canvases measured 30ft.
From The Guardian • Sep. 23, 2018
Art and Archaeology is murkier and more velvety than last year, and filled with impasto and chiaroscuro.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
