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The Magic of Impasto

Creating Movement with Paint

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

When you stand in front of one of my paintings, you might feel an irresistible urge to reach out and run your fingertips across the surface. That texture—the thick, sculptural ridges of paint catching the light—is a hallmark of the impasto painting technique. It's what gives my work its sense of energy and movement, allowing the landscape to come alive on the canvas.

I’ve spent years refining my approach to impasto, developing a method that captures the raw beauty of the outdoors. When I paint, I want my collectors to feel as if they’re outdoors…standing in the middle of a golden field at sunset or beneath a vast, cloud-streaked sky. Impasto helps me achieve that sensation by adding physical depth and dimension to each brushstroke, creating a painting that feels as much sculpted as painted.

Monterey Blues, Erin Hanson, 2025

What Is Impasto?

Impasto is the technique of applying thick strokes of paint to a surface using a brush, palette knife, or even fingers. This technique has been used by artists for centuries to create depth and texture. The word "impasto" comes from the Italian for "paste" or "dough," which perfectly describes the rich, frosting-like consistency of the paint as it’s worked across the canvas.

Although traditionally associated with oil painting, impasto can be used with acrylics, gouache, and even watercolors when mixed with the right mediums. What makes it special is how it transforms the way light interacts with a painting. Raised areas catch highlights, while deeper grooves create shadows, giving the piece a sense of sculptural depth.

The History of Impasto

While I use impasto to create a modern expression of the landscape, this technique has been shaping art for centuries. Venetian Renaissance painters like Titian and Tintoretto were among the first to experiment with thick paint applications, adding texture to their compositions for dramatic effect. Later, Baroque masters such as Rembrandt and Caravaggio used impasto to enhance the realism of their subjects, making fabrics, skin, and light appear almost tangible.

Then came the Impressionists. This movement—led by artists like Monet, Cézanne, and van Gogh—embraced impasto to break free from the restrained, polished techniques of the past. Van Gogh, in particular, is known for his thick, expressive brushstrokes that pulse with energy, as seen in Starry Night and his sunflower series.

As modern art evolved, impasto remained a powerful tool for expression. From the bold strokes of Abstract Expressionists like Jackson Pollock to the textured explorations of contemporary artists, this technique has continued to push the boundaries of how paint can be used.

Irises on Yellow by Erin Hanson

Impasto in Open Impressionism

My own approach to impasto is deeply tied to my Open Impressionism style. Unlike traditional oil painting techniques that rely on layering and blending, my method involves applying thick strokes of paint side by side onto a colored underpainting, without blending or reworking. This preserves the freshness of each brushstroke, making every mark intentional and alive with energy.

For me, impasto isn’t just about texture—it’s about movement and light. The way the ridges of paint catch and reflect light mirrors the shimmering heat waves on desert sands or the flickering of sunlit leaves. My collectors often tell me that my paintings feel as though they are moving, breathing, and changing with the light of day, and impasto is a key part of that experience.

Erin Hanson painting Evening Cypress

Why Texture Matters

The landscapes I paint are meant to be felt as much as seen. Whether it's the rugged cliffs of the Southwest, the rolling vineyards of wine country, or the expansive skies over a golden plain, I want my paintings to evoke the full sensory experience of being outdoors. The thick, sculptural quality of impasto invites you to engage with the painting not just visually, but physically and emotionally.

I also use impasto to create rhythm within my paintings. By intentionally flattening the texture in some areas, I allow the thicker strokes to stand out more prominently elsewhere. Placing bold strokes side by side, all flowing in the same direction, helps guide the eye through the composition. Short, textured brushstrokes act like staccato notes, grabbing attention with bursts of energy, while long, smooth strokes are like sustained piano notes—offering a moment of pause before leading into the next movement of the piece. 

Impasto allows me to translate the beauty of the natural world into something tangible—something that speaks to the love of adventure, exploration, and the ever-changing light of the outdoors.

Next time you find yourself in front of one of my paintings, I invite you to take a moment to experience not just the colors and composition, but the texture itself—the peaks and valleys of the paint that create depth, movement, and a story all their own.

You are welcome to come to my gallery to see these works in person, and you are invited to attend any of the many upcoming and ongoing exhibitions displaying my artwork. Find local exhibitions by looking through the Upcoming Events list right here on my website.

About Erin

ERIN HANSON has been painting in oils since she was 8 years old. As a teenager, she apprenticed at a mural studio where she worked on 40-foot-long paintings while selling art commissions on the side. After being told it was too hard to make a living as an artist, she got her degree in Bioengineering from UC Berkeley. Afterward, Erin became a rock climber at Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. Inspired by the colorful scenery she was climbing, she decided to return to her love of painting and create one new painting every week.

She has stuck to that decision, becoming one of the most prolific artists in history, with over 3,000 oil paintings sold to eager collectors. Erin Hanson’s style is known as "Open Impressionism" and is taught in art schools worldwide. With millions of followers, Hanson has become an iconic, driving force in the rebirth of impressionism, inspiring thousands of other artists to pick up the brush.