Which technique involves applying thick paint to create pronounced texture and volume?

• A. Impasto
• B. Alla prima
• C. Wash
• D. Sgraffito

Answer: (A)

A painting technique that applies thick paint to create pronounced texture and volume is impasto. By laying on the paint in heavy layers with a brush or palette knife, the surface itself becomes textured— ridges, peaks, and visible brushwork that catch light and feel almost sculptural. This approach foregrounds the material of the paint, making form and movement read as much through texture as through color.

In contrast, alla prima focuses on completing a work in one sitting with quick, wet-on-wet layering, emphasizing spontaneity rather than thick texture. A wash uses diluted paint to create translucent, smooth areas with little surface buildup. Sgraffito involves scratching through a top layer to reveal underlayers, producing lines or patterns rather than a built-up, three-dimensional surface.