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Hi Marion,

Yeah, don't make this too complicated. If you just remember that texture is best shown at the edge of a shape (or a something), and that we can only paint three of them (though physically there are a lot more).

As painters, we are limited to only three, paintable textures: Hard (or smooth), Rough, and Soft. That's all that the painting tool (brush, pencil, pen, etc.), can show on either paper or canvas. For example, in my medium (watercolor), we show each via the paper using it either dry (producing a hard or rough edge), or wet (producing a soft edge). You have to work a little harder in oils to get your edges, but the idea is the same.

Texture is "thing" based, so ask, "...what is the nature of the object that I'm painting?" In some cases you might get two answers, the texture at the edge and the texture inside the object. For example, leaves on a tree are a rough texture at the outside edge of the mass, but a soft texture on the inside of the mass (you can't pick out a single leaf among thousands).

A "Lost" or "Found" edge is more a matter of value, although a soft edge is technically easier to "lose" than a hard or rough edge. I've always thought that the term "pass-through" was a better one than lost. Since we "lose" an edge when the relative values are similar in adjacent shapes, it's easier to think about lost or found by asking the question, "Can I pass through from one shape to another, or is there a barrier, a change in value between them?" I can alter color from one hue, or temperature, to another all I want, but it's the value that counts.

Losing or finding an edge is simple. If you want to lose an edge, then paint through from one shape to another without a break (don't stop the paint at some imaginary line), and keep the relative value the same across the span (change colors all you want). Brushwork won't matter. You can trowel it on for all I care and it won't make a difference. Put down globs of paint and see for yourself. As long as the paint application goes from one shape to another and stays the same value no matter what color, then you'll lose the edge between the shapes.

If you want to find and edge, then make a good value change at that edge and then tell us about the texture at that change. Give us hard or rough. Simple.

There are a number of ways to emphasize a found edge depending on which "ism" of painting that you are working in, however, value is the key here. Avoid the gimmicks and tricks, and stick with the basics.

Tootles ;)

Hi Russell,
EGAD... You are just a FOUNTAIN of information!!! I'll bet you have many devotees in your classes. As always, thanks for the wonderful lessons you provide to me and to all who may read these posts!!!

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

Hi Marian! I was just looking through my old comments on my blog and found yours! I don't know what happens but I lose track of blogs I follow. Thanks so much for sharing what you're learning. I've done life drawing classes like that but never with paints. That would be fun but crazy going that fast! I'm taking an online workshop with Richard Robinson right now and am learning a lot from him. It's nice that artists share with everyone!
Jennifer