The Ultimate List of Texture in Art Examples

I have created for you the ultimate list of texture in art examples, broken down by media and types of texture, to use in your classroom to teach the element of design texture.

Texture is one of the elements and principles of art that relates to how something would feel if it were touched. There are several kinds of texture–from actual texture in art where the artwork has a certain physical tactile surface, or it could be visual texture or implied texture where the artwork looks as if it feels a certain way (but actually doesn’t).

This post is a part of my elements and principles of art series.

Download the Free Elements and Principles Printable Pack

This pack of printables was designed to work in a variety of ways in your classroom when teaching the elements and principles of art. You can print and hang in your classroom as posters/anchor charts or you can cut each element and principle of art in its own individual card to use as a lesson manipulative.

Click here to download the Elements and Principles Printable Pack.

Actual Texture in Art

Actual texture is the physical feel an artwork has. From the silky texture of the paint to the rough texture of stone, artists use texture to add interest, create emphasis and expression, and add depth to their work.

Best Artist that Uses Actual Texture

You absolutely cannot teach actual texture without pulling in the work of Anselm Keifer. In both his sculpture and his paintings, he mixes in all sorts of different textures in art such as glass, sand, dried flowers, ash, broken ceramics, straw, and more. His art is bold, dark, and emotional, and the textures contribute to the mood of his work. He was born in Germany at the tail end of World War II. His art shows his attempt to come to terms with the history of his country. Learn more about his work here.

Actual Texture in Art Examples, Two-Dimensional

Marcia Gygli King, The Family, from The Culture Series, 2005
Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889
Anselm Kiefer, Aschenblume, 1983-97
Justin Gaffrey, Any
J.M.W. Turner, Rain, Steam, and Speed–The Great Western Railway, 1844
Iran, Silk Kashan Carpet, 16th century
Terese Agnew, Portrait of a Textile Worker, 2005

Actual Texture in Sculpture

Ife, Head, possible a King, 12th-14th century
Meret Oppenheim, Object, 1936
Robert Rauschenberg, Monogram, 1955-59
Constantin Brancusi, Bird in Space, 1925
Donatello, Penitent Magdalene, 1453-1455
Michaelangelo, The Awakening Slave (Design for Julius II Tomb), 1536
Auguste Rodin, Thought Emerging From Matter, 1895
Benin, Head of an Oba, 18th Century
Mike Kelley, More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid and The Wages of Sin, 1987
Buddhas from the Otagi-Nenbutsi Temple, Kyoto Japan
Ka’apor culture, Necklace with attached flute, 1955-1962
Asmat people, Body Mask (Det), mid-20th century
Fred Wilson, Mining the Museum, Metalwork, 1793-1880

Actual Texture in Architecture

Maya Lin, Vietnam Memorial, Washington D.C., 1982
Ancient Egypt, The Great Pyramid of Giza, c. 2580–2560 BCE
Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater, 1936
Antoni Gaudi, Sagrada Família, 1882-present
Cambodia, Angkor Wat Temple, 12th century
India, Meenakshi Amman Temple, 1623-1655

Visual Texture / Implied Texture

Visual texture in art (also called Implied Texture) is texture that is not actually real. The artist creates the illusion of textures through manipulation of the media.

Best Artist that Uses Visual Texture

There are so many masterful artists who create visual texture, but if I had to pick one, I would go with Albrecht Durer. He’s a master in creating textures in multiple media.

Visual Texture Examples in Painting

Albrecht Durer, Portrait of Hieronymus Holzschuher, 1526
Ralph Goings, Ralph’s Diner, 1982
Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Slaying Holofernes, 1614
Max Ernst, Europe After Rain II, 1940-42
Jan van Eyck, The Arnolfini Portrait, 1434
Gustave Caillebotte, Place de l’Europe on a Rainy Day, 1876-1877
Salvador Dalí, Girl at a Window, 1925
Pieter Claesz, Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill, 1628
Albrecht Durer, Young Hare, 1502
Jason de Graaf, Oil Paintings (Any)
Teresa Elliott, Deliverance

Visual Texture Examples in Drawing

Vija Celmins, Drypoint – Ocean Surface, 1983
Leonardo da Vinci, Portrait of a Man in Red Chalk, c. 1512
Samuel Silva, Ballpoint Pen Drawings (Any)
Armin Mersmann, Eye Drawings

Visual Texture Examples in Sculpture

Ron Mueck, A Boy, 2005
Ron Mueck, A Girl, 2006
R. Fukahori, 3-D Paintings (Any)
Keng Lye, 3-D Paintings (Any)
El Anatsui, Dusasa II, 2007

Do you have a great example to teach the element of design texture? Share it with me in the comments, and I will add it to the list!

Elements and Principles of Art Worksheet

The more artworks your students analyze, the more familiar they’ll be with the elements and principles of art and the easier it will be for them to implement what they learn in their own art. Use our free Art Appreciation Worksheet Bundle for go-to lessons that will take their learning to a deeper level.

This bundle includes elements and principles of art worksheets, plus 6 more art appreciation worksheets for free. Click here to download the worksheets.

There you have it! The best texture in art examples for your elements and principles of art lessons. Want more elements and principles of art teacher resources? Check out the below posts.