Surface definition

Surface refers to the tangible structure/texture of the painting area or drawing paper upon which one works to create an image.  The surface of the material used may be smooth, glossy, hard, rough, or soft. The surface upon which one works plays a key role in how the texture of the painting/drawing appears once the artwork is completed.  Any number of methods may be used to create a desired surface.  Possible materials to create a surface texture include sand, rubbing, scratching, building layers, using objects such as buttons/pins and erasing.