Do you recognize this image?
We can see that the image is a design created of shapes with soft edges, and gradations and contrasts of lights and darks. Even
though we don't know what it is, that information is enough to create a design. We could even use it as as a resource subject for an abstract painting -- something like this:
Let's go a different direction, though. Our reference image is a cluster of tiny shapes, each containing its own light and shadow. Put that together
and we have the definition of texture.
I took you on a detour with this because I want to emphasize that texture is the results of zillions of tiny clustered shapes. How each of those tiny shapes responds to light and shadow causes us to see the collection as texture. When we can
translate that behavior we will create textures that are meaningful, not just surface decoration.
The original image is a tiny patch of hair extracted from the photo of fox's fur below. (The soft edges resulted because it is enlarged by 2000 times its size.) So what
we're seeing in that original image is a bunch of out of focus, tiny hairs. The tips of most of the hairs are catching light, and all their roots are in shadow. Those areas of light and shadow create the pattern on which I based that little abstract painting.
Just for fun, here are a couple more areas. (We could do an entire series of abstract paintings based on this fox's fur, but that's off
topic.)
- Take a photo of your favorite pet in a direct light source.
- Isolate a small patch, then do a color/value study at least 6 times the size of the patch.
- Notice the pattern of light and shadow.
- That is what's creating the texture of your pet's fur.
Enjoy a delightful weekend!
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