Material texture

Roughness

Roughness is a versatile tool that can express a range of emotions beyond just anger. Here's a deeper dive into how different types of roughness can convey various emotional states:

Coarse and scratchy

Materials: Sandpaper, gravel, crushed shells, wire mesh
Emotions: Intense anger, frustration, aggression, and feeling attacked.
Example: Imagine dragging a piece of sandpaper across the canvas with heavy pressure, leaving raw, exposed lines. This could represent a moment of explosive anger or feeling like you're constantly on edge.

Jagged and sharp

Materials: Broken glass (safely used! ), shards of pottery, thorns, barbed wire (represented visually)
Emotions: Feeling unsafe, threatened, betrayed, or experiencing a personal violation
Example: Using jagged pottery shards to create a collage could represent the searing pain of betrayal or the sense of having your trust shattered.

Uneven and bumpy

Materials: Crumpled paper, dried mud, textured fabric
Emotions: Inner turmoil, restlessness, confusion, feeling overwhelmed
Example: Scrunching up a piece of paper and then unfolding it slightly to create uneven folds on the canvas, for example, could represent a sense of inner turmoil and feeling jumbled up by emotions.

Gritty and abrasive

Materials: Coarse salt, pumice stone, sandpaper with a lighter touch
Emotions: Feeling worn down, exhausted, lacking motivation, struggling with self-doubt
Example: The act of sprinkling coarse salt across a canvas could symbolise the sensation of emotional exhaustion and grit, akin to the constant wear and tear of sandpaper.

Exploring the language of texture: Moving beyond visual pleasure

Texture in art goes beyond what meets the eye. With its visual appeal, the art of texture not only captures attention, but it also has the remarkable ability to stir up emotions that words alone may struggle to convey. Artists are able to establish a stronger bond with their inner selves by using various textures, while also encouraging viewers to embark on a personal exploration.

Smoothness

Smoothness goes beyond just peace and serenity. It can represent a spectrum of positive emotions and create a calming environment for self-exploration. Here's a breakdown of how different types of smoothness can evoke various feelings:

Silky and flowing

Materials: Silk fabric, soft pastels, fluid acrylic paints
Emotions: Deep relaxation, a sense of grace and ease, feeling in the flow
Example: Using soft pastels to create long, flowing brushstrokes can create a peaceful current that carries you away.

Polished and gleaming

Materials: Polished stones, marbles, metallic paints with a smooth finish
Emotions: Confidence, self-worth, and a sense of strength and grounding.
Example: Creating a mandala pattern with smooth, polished stones can symbolise inner strength and a sense of centering.

Velvety and soft

Materials: Velvet fabric, charcoal pencils, soft modelling clay
Emotions: Comfort, security, a sense of being nurtured and loved
Example: Creating a self-portrait using soft charcoal pencils can evoke feelings of self-compassion and create a safe space for emotional exploration.

Waxy and translucent

Materials: Beeswax, tracing paper, layered watercolours
Emotions: dreamy, introspective, a sense of mystery, and hidden depths
Example: Layering watercolours on wet paper creates a smooth, dreamlike effect that can represent a space for exploring your subconscious and hidden emotions.

Hardness

Hardness isn't just about feeling isolated or shut off. It can represent a range of experiences where we build up barriers or feel the weight of external pressures. Here's a look at how different types of hardness can evoke various emotional states:

Rigid and unyielding

Materials: Wood, metal scraps, dried branches
Emotions: Feelings of being stuck, unable to move forward, and trapped in a situation.
Example: Building a rigid structure out of wood scraps could symbolise feeling stuck in a job or relationship that no longer serves you.

Dense and impenetrable

Materials: Thick acrylic paint, concrete blocks (represented visually), large stones
Emotions: Feeling overwhelmed, burdened by problems, and unable to process emotions
Example: Applying thick layers of dark paint can create a sense of feeling weighed down and unable to see a way out.

Sharp and pointed

Materials: Thorns, cactus needles, sharp metal pieces (safely used)
Emotions: Feeling defensive, guarded, and protecting yourself from emotional pain
Example: Drawing a self-portrait with thorns surrounding the head could symbolize erecting barriers to prevent emotional harm.

Brittle and fragile:

Materials: Eggshells, dried leaves, thin ceramic shards
Emotions: Feeling vulnerable, easily broken, and fearing rejection
Example: Applying eggshells to a canvas can represent vulnerability and the apprehension of potential harm.

How can we incorporate textures into therapeutic art?

Examples:

Anxiety: Create a collage using ripped magazine scraps, sharp metal pieces, and rough sandpaper. The jagged textures can visually represent the chaotic and overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
Hope: Use soft pastel colours and fluffy cotton balls to create a cloud-like image. The soft texture of the cotton adds a sense of lightness and hope.
Loss: Take a piece of smooth clay and sculpt a handprint. Gently press in small pebbles to represent a sense of loss and the marks left behind.
Growth: Spread wet paint on a canvas and press in various seeds. As the paint dries, the seeds will create a bumpy texture, symbolising growth and pushing through challenges.

Remember: There are no right or wrong interpretations in therapeutic art. Let the textures guide your creation and explore what feels most emotionally resonant for you.

Softness

Softness goes beyond just comfort and security. It can be a powerful tool for exploring vulnerability, self-compassion, and the desire for connection. Here's a deeper dive into how different types of softness can evoke various feelings:

Plush and pillowy

Materials: Soft fabric scraps, feathers, cotton balls
Emotions: Comfort, indulgence, a desire for nurturing, and self-care
Example: Creating a nest-like structure out of soft fabric scraps can symbolise a longing for comfort and a safe space for emotional healing.

Malleable and yielding

Materials: Modelling clay, warm beeswax, wet sand
Emotions: Openness to change, adaptability, willingness to explore new possibilities
Example: Sculpting a figure out of soft clay allows you to reshape and refine it, symbolising your ability to adapt and grow as a person.

Delicate and fragile

Materials: Tissue paper, flower petals, lace fabric
Emotions: Vulnerability, tenderness, a desire for gentle connection
Example: Creating a collage with delicate flower petals can represent the fragility of emotions and the need for gentle handling in relationships.

Flowing and draped

Materials: Long pieces of silk fabric, flowing yarn, soft watercolours
Emotions: Acceptance, surrender, letting go of control
Example: Draping soft fabric over a canvas can represent the release of burdens and the acceptance of support.