Lemon texture painting

When you think of painting, the first sense that comes to mind is sight. We picture colors on a canvas, shapes forming under a brush, light and shadows playing together. But in our atelier, art goes deeper. It isn’t just something you see – it’s something you can feel, smell, taste, and hear.

Our recent Lemon Texture Painting Master Class guided by Kosovo artist Elsa Hoti was built around this idea: to awaken all five senses through the simple beauty of a lemon.

The journey began with fresh lemons laid on the table. Their vibrant yellows and bright green leaves instantly set the tone. Students observed them closely, noticing details they might normally overlook – the dimpled skin, the way light reflects differently on smooth and rough surfaces.

✋ Touch

With acrylics and texture paste, participants recreated that same tactile quality on canvas. Using palette knives, sponges, and even their fingertips, they layered paint to mimic the bumpy skin of a lemon. This wasn’t just painting – it was sculpting color.

Of course, the lemons themselves offered their natural perfume. The fresh citrus scent filled the atelier, energizing everyone and reminding us that art doesn’t live in isolation – it connects directly with daily life.

👅 Taste

No lemon-inspired class would be complete without lemonade. Between brushstrokes, participants sipped a cool glass, linking the creative act with a refreshing taste. The sweetness and tang brought the artwork to life in another dimension.

👂 Hearing

From the satisfying scrape of palette knives across canvas to the sound of laughter and glasses clinking, the room had its own rhythm. These small sounds reminded us that creation is never silent – it is alive with energy.

By the end of the workshop, each participant had a textured lemon painting that looked almost touchable. Some chose a realistic style, others leaned into abstraction, but all carried the unmistakable presence of citrus: bright, layered, and full of vitality.

The finished works were more than paintings. They were sensory memories captured on canvas – every brushstroke tied to the smell of lemon zest, every textured bump recalling the feel of fruit in hand.

This class was about more than learning technique. It was about reminding ourselves that creativity isn’t confined to the eyes. When we involve all our senses, art becomes immersive, personal, and unforgettable.

The Lemon Texture Painting Master Class showed us how a simple fruit can awaken imagination – and how, in our atelier, art is an experience to be lived, not just observed.