One of the joys of abstract art is that it doesn’t need to “be” anything. It doesn’t have to look like a tree, or a person, or a house. Instead, it can be about emotion, rhythm, and atmosphere. Colour and texture are two of the most powerful tools in creating this atmosphere — and what’s fascinating is how they can work together.
When people think of texture, they often picture something you can run your hands over — a thick ridge of oil paint, sand mixed into acrylics, a collage of fabrics. But texture isn’t always physical. It can also be an illusion, created entirely through colour and the way you apply it. With just brushes, paint, and a bit of imagination, you can make a completely flat canvas feel alive, layered, and full of depth.
So how does colour create texture? Let’s explore.
Layering Colours for Depth
Think of layering as building a history on the canvas. Every mark, every wash of colour adds a memory, even if later layers cover most of it. You may not consciously see the first marks, but they create a richness that comes through the final work.
For instance, try painting a canvas with a strong underpainting of deep crimson. Once dry, brush a thin, watery wash of teal over it. Suddenly the red glows from underneath, giving the teal a mysterious, velvety depth. It feels textured even though the surface is flat.
This is why artists often say to work in layers. The more patient you are, the more your painting builds a sense of dimension. You don’t have to wait hours either — acrylics dry quickly, which makes them perfect for experimenting with rapid layering. Watercolour, by contrast, allows you to create translucent veils where colours overlap like stained glass, each new wash adding depth.
Try this: Pick two colours you love. Paint one in bold, solid strokes, then let it dry. Apply the second with a lighter hand — either thinned down with water or applied with a dry brush (more on that below). Notice how the two interact and how a simple pairing can suddenly feel complex and textured.
Contrasting Colours for Energy
Texture isn’t always about subtlety. Sometimes it’s about contrast — colours that clash or vibrate against one another. When you place complementary colours (opposites on the colour wheel) side by side — think orange against blue, red against green, purple against yellow — your eye perceives energy.
This energy creates a kind of visual texture. The surface seems to shimmer or hum, as if the colours are pushing and pulling against one another. Even a smooth brushstroke feels more dynamic.
Abstract artists often use this to great effect: bursts of hot pink against turquoise, a stripe of lemon yellow breaking through a field of violet. The textures emerge not from brushstrokes, but from the dialogue between colours.
Try this: Paint a background with a cool colour (blue or green), then add a bold burst of its complementary warm colour (orange or red). Notice how the surface seems to “pop” with texture, even though it’s smooth.
Dry Brushing and Broken Colour
Technique can change how colour feels. One of the simplest ways to create texture with colour is dry brushing. Load a brush with paint but wipe off most of it before applying it to the canvas. Then, drag the brush quickly over a dry surface. Instead of a smooth stroke, you’ll get streaky, scratchy marks where the canvas peeks through.
This broken colour effect creates a rough, almost tactile texture. It works especially well with bright colours over dark backgrounds or vice versa. It mimics natural surfaces — wood grain, stone, fabric — without adding any real weight.
Stippling or dabbing colour can achieve a similar effect. Instead of dragging the brush, tap it lightly onto the canvas, building up clusters of dots. The result feels lively and textured, even from a distance.
Try this: Paint a solid dark background. Then, using a nearly dry brush with a lighter colour, sweep quick strokes across. See how the canvas peeks through and the colour seems to hover above the surface.
Warm vs. Cool Colours and the Illusion of Space
Colour temperature plays a huge role in perceived texture. Warm colours — reds, oranges, yellows — tend to come forward. Cool colours — blues, greens, purples — recede. By layering warm tones over cool, you create the illusion of depth and dimension.
For example, imagine painting a soft blue background, then adding bursts of fiery orange over the top. The oranges feel as though they sit on the surface, while the blues sink back. The contrast in temperature makes the piece feel layered and textured, even though it’s just colour.
This is one of the easiest ways to give abstract work a sense of three-dimensionality.
Try this: On one half of a page, paint cool colours first, then overlay with warm. On the other half, reverse the order. Notice how the painting “reads” differently, and how the perception of texture changes depending on which comes first.
Letting Colours Blend Naturally
Sometimes, texture comes from letting go of control. When paints blend into one another — wet into wet — they create organic patterns you couldn’t have planned. Think of watercolours bleeding into one another, or acrylics swirled together before drying.
These blends create marbled, cloudy, or fluid textures that mimic the natural world: waves, clouds, smoke, stone. They feel rich and textured because they’re unpredictable.
The trick is to avoid overworking. Too much blending turns everything muddy. Instead, allow paints to interact on their own, stepping back to watch as colours mingle and settle into surprising textures.
Try this: Place two or three colours next to each other on a wet surface. Don’t mix with the brush — just let the water do the work. Watch how the colours spread and merge into unique textures.
Using Colour Associations to Create Emotional Texture
Colour also carries emotional weight, which contributes to the sense of texture. A canvas full of cool greys and blues may feel smooth and heavy, while one splashed with yellows and pinks feels bright and bouncy. The emotional resonance of colour can make a piece feel textured even before you notice the brushwork.
Think of Rothko’s colour field paintings — simple blocks of colour that somehow feel dense, layered, and vibrating with emotion. That’s texture created through colour relationships, not materials.
Quick Exercises to Try
If you want to explore colour as texture, here are a few short exercises:
- The Layer Play: Choose three colours. Paint one solid, then add the second in a diluted wash, then drag the third across with a dry brush. Notice how depth builds.
- The Contrast Challenge: Paint a canvas in one colour. Add just one small, bold contrasting colour. See how much texture that one difference creates.
- The Blend Experiment: Place two colours side by side and let them mix naturally. Observe the textures that emerge.
Final Thought
Abstract art is about exploration, not rules. Using colour to create texture is a playful, rewarding process that invites you to see beyond the flat surface of your canvas. Whether you’re layering, contrasting, dry brushing, or letting paints bleed into one another, colour can transform a plain background into a richly textured landscape.
You don’t need fancy tools or special materials — just curiosity, a few paints, and the willingness to see where colour takes you. Let the hues do the work, and you’ll find your abstract art brimming with life, depth, and texture that feels as though you could step right into it.
Using Colour to Create Texture in Abstract Art
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