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"texture"

By Shelley Esaak, About.com

Definition:

(noun) - Texture, another element of art, is used to describe either the way a three-dimensional work actually feels when touched, or the visual "feel" of a two-dimensional work.

Take rocks, for example. A real, 3-D rock might feel rough or smooth, and definitely feels hard when touched or picked up. A painter, depicting a rock, would create the illusions of these qualities through use of color, line, shape, etc.

Pronunciation: text·chur

Examples: "I aim for an abstract element of a realistic subject and use texture to add interest and suggest depth." - Margaret Roseman

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