Impasto is a technique used in painting, where paint is laid on an area of the surface thickly, usually thick enough that the brush or palette knife strokes are visible. When dry, impasto provides texture; the paint appears to be coming out of the canvas.
Why on newspaper?
For one, using newspaper is a great way to add texture to the artwork. The newspaper is also very versatile – it can be used for collages, sculptures, and even paintings.
Using a local paper adds that personal touch that connects you to the artist in a more personal way.
