When you imagine a painting, the smooth, almost glassy surfaces of Old Masters work might be what springs to mind. After all, painting is a two-dimensional art form, right?
Well, not necessarily. Painters have been experimenting with turning paint into its own kind of sculpture for years. Think of the thick, rough textures of van Gogh's paintings — they almost look like melted candy!
Artists use painting to explore all kinds of ideas. While some explore the internal world, like the young artist who paints her dreams, others use it to see what the paint itself can do, and what kinds of effects they can create using the time-honored medium.
One artist is Jan Ironside, also known by her Etsy shop moniker, IronsideImpastos, creates such paintings. Her small paintings depict bright, vibrantly colored flowers, and if it seems like the petals are bursting off the canvas, it's because they are.
Jan uses a technique called "impasto," which means that she applies super-thick paint to create forms that stand up on their own, and give the painting a rough, almost rippling-looking surface. It requires a lot of paint, but the result is strangely satisfying.
Check out some of her paintings below, and let us know if this is a style you like!
[H/T: My Modern Met]
Jan creates these flowers that literally burst off the canvas by using a technique called "impasto," where the paint is used more like a sculpting material than as traditional paint.
As you can see, the paint is so thick that it stands up and away from the canvas.
To create this technique, Jan uses a knife rather than a brush, and uses oil paint, which is quite thick.
It's so thick, in fact, that it can even extend past the edge of the canvas, and creates a remarkable 3D effect.
Jan describes her process of creating these thick, creamy-looking paintings as "just like icing cupcakes!"
But even though they frankly look delicious, we don't advise taking a taste! Just let them be a treat for your eyes.
Because each of these paintings uses so much paint to get the impasto technique, Jan limits the size of her canvas. Otherwise she'd run out of paint very quickly!
But Jan knows how strangely appealing the textures and the swirls of color are. She describes them as paintings "you will want to touch."
And more than that, you'll want to admire the gorgeous variations and swirls of color in each one. The combination of purple and white in this flower is something you can get lost in!
And even though working with a palette knife means there's little room for detail, her impressionistic style means you know exactly what kind of flower you're looking at with only some basic shapes and colors.
And one of these paintings would instantly brighten up any room.
Jan creates her paintings in her home studio in Arkansas, in an area rich in history. She's kept company by her studio cat, Lucy.
She says there's no place she'd rather be than in her studio, painting. And we can see the joy she takes in creative expression in these bright, lively paintings!
While oils are expensive and require ventilation, you can try this technique with acrylics or even with melted crayons for an easier, kid-friendly experience. And be sure to check out the rest of Jan's work on Etsy and Facebook.
And if you'd like to spread some spring color, Jan's work is the perfect thing to SHARE!
