Which Element of Art refers to the surface quality that can be felt or implied?

• A. Line
• B. Texture
• C. Value
• D. Color

Answer: (B)

Texture is the element of art that describes surface quality—the way a surface feels to the touch or the way it would feel if you could touch it. It can be actual, as when a painting uses gritty grit or thick impasto, or implied, when shading, lines, and contrast make a flat surface seem rough or smooth. This stands in contrast to line, which is a mark that defines shape and direction; value, which is the lightness or darkness of tones; and color, which involves hue, brightness, and saturation. An example is the visible roughness of tree bark created with varied brushwork, or the soft look of velvet achieved through careful shading. Texture is the best choice here because the question is about surface quality that can be felt or suggested visually.