Impasto coastal seascape oil painting of turquoise ocean and jagged cliffs with raised orange poppy flowers by Brittany Was.

The Art of Spectral Impasto

I call my technique Spectral Impasto. It begins with a base of vibrant, unnatural color swatches. Over this foundation, I sculpt my work in thick, heavy oils. This allows the hidden color to radiate through the texture, creating a visual vibration that captures the energy of the wild.

Watch the process

The Art of Resilience

"For me, the canvas is a place of grounding and discovery."

Navigating chronic illness has profoundly shifted my perspective, teaching me to slow down and find beauty in the present moment.

My work is a reflection of that journey. Every thick, sculptural layer of oil is a celebration of vitality — capturing the wild energy of nature that reminds us to keep going.

Read Brittany's Story
Brittany painting in the studio Brittany Was

Inside the Studio

The finished piece is only half the story. The true nature of Spectral Impasto is found in the movement - the layering of heavy body oil.

I film the process to show the chaos before the control. It is a messy, physical battle to build structure out of liquid color.