Fundamentals of Art and Design 3(1+2)

Lesson 02 : Elements of art

Texture

Texture is the element of art that refers to how things feel on the surface (rough, smooth). Texture is the surface quality of an object i.e. how someone feels when touched or looks like it would feel if touched. For ex: Sandpaper is rough. Velvet is smooth. A drawing of a house could show a rough exterior and smooth interior surface. Texture adds variety and interest.
So texture refers to the surface or “feel” of an object whether, smooth, rough, soft, etc. Texture may be actually felt with touch- tactile or implied by the way an artist has created the work of art- visual.
Textural surfaces range from smooth to rough or dull to shiny (Fig. 2.3 and 2.4). So a careful balance is needed in a room. The rough texture absorbs more light and smooth surface reflects light. In small and dark rooms smoother textures should be used to reflect more light. Large rooms with many windows can show rough texture gracefully. Textures in homes may refer to wall finish, rugs, wood work, an oil painting, a ceramic urn, wood or glass surface on dinning table used for furniture. Some of the textures which create interest among the architects, interior designers and home makers are expressed as follows:

Airy	Scaly	Dusty	Perforated
Hairy	Lumpy	Curly	Coarse
Lacy	Silky	Smooth	Crisp
Leathery	Powdery	Crackled	Polished
Spongy	Rocky	Solid	Stiff
Feathery	Velvety	Rigid	Tough
Creepy	Wavy	Crystalline	Uneven
Grooved	Waxy	Fine	Delicate
Glossy	Woody	Granular	Dense
Rubbery	wooly	Rough	Dull
Sandy	Shiny	Harsh	Marbled
Satiny	Foamy	Firm	Metallic

The texture refers to the tactile quality of the surface of any object i.e. the qualities that are perceptible through the sense of touch. It refers also to the way small constituent parts are combined in a substance: for example the pliability or rigidity of object also has textural significance as it affects the quality of the surface. The term texture is applied to effects which give an illusion of texture, such as streaked, or marbleized. Texture is an element of art that is valuable in giving character and beauty to objects, interiors and buildings. Interior decorators, both professional and amateur, are becoming more aware of the importance of texture. Refinement and appreciation of texture suggests that a relation exists between light, color and texture.

.One of the first decisions to be made in furnishing a room or a house is the selection of furniture wood or woods, for all other textures needs to be in harmony with the wood. Each kind of wood seems to produce a definite feeling in the observer. Use of Pine and oak, suggests strength; whereas mahogany and rosewood suggest elegance. Obviously, oak and mahogany furniture cannot be combined. Walnut, however, is medium in texture and can be used either with mahogany or with a light type of oak. Mahogany furniture needs to be matched with delicate textures like fine silk, satin, velvet, deep-pile rugs, and light weight brass hardware to accompany it whereas, with oak, coarser textures such as tapestry, large patterned linen, iron metal and parchment should be used