All About Texture Hunting

sacredcirclehealing
May 20
3 min read

Well, that’s a wrap! Our May Cathedral Neighbourhood Texture Hunt was a huge success, with over 80 participant artworks displayed in the community exhibition.

I’m sure this won’t be the end of texture hunting offerings, but in the meantime, if you’d like to try it yourself, this post will walk you through the basics.

If you’re in Regina, you can still check out the current art show at The Artesian during the Cathedral Village Arts Festival. Entry to The Artesian is free during the festival! A huge thank you to both The Artesian and the Cathedral Village Arts Festival for giving this project a home and helping bring it to the community.

So, without further ado, here’s everything you need to get started with texture hunting yourself.

What is texture hunting?

Texture hunting is the process of noticing and collecting surface patterns from the world around you.

Using materials like an ink pad, Play-Doh, and paper, participants gently press into surfaces such as sidewalks, walls, tree bark, or everyday objects to capture their textures as prints.

The process is non-invasive, meaning nothing is removed, altered, or damaged.

It’s part art-making, part observation practice, and often it changes how you see your surroundings.

Materials

You will need:

Ink pad
Play-Doh or a kneadable eraser*
Sketchbook or paper

*We used Play-Doh in our workshops because we were working with a large number of participants. If you plan to do a lot of texture hunting, you may prefer a kneadable eraser. It lasts longer and often captures finer detail.

Process

1. Find a texture

Look for interesting surfaces in your neighbourhood like tree bark, sidewalks, brick, or metal.

2. Press the Play-Doh

Gently pat the Play-Doh onto the surface to pick up the texture.

Tip: Pat gently—don’t push or rub hard. You don’t need much pressure to capture the texture.

3. Add ink

Lightly dab the textured side onto the ink pad.

4. Make your print

Press the inked Play-Doh onto your paper.

5. Label and collect

Write down what the texture is or where you found it, then add it to your collection.

Important Guidelines

Texture hunting is about connecting with the environment without damaging it.

Please remember:

Leave no trace
Do not remove or alter surfaces
Avoid private property without permission
Stay aware of traffic and surroundings
Avoid unsafe or delicate surfaces

Texture hunting is about impression, not extraction.

What Next?

Once you start texture hunting, you may begin noticing patterns and surfaces everywhere you go. You can:

Build a sketchbook or texture journal
Use your prints as inspiration for drawing, painting, or textile work
Explore different neighbourhoods or natural spaces
Create collaborative community art projects
Pair texture hunting with photography, writing, or mindfulness walks

Most of all, texture hunting is an invitation to slow down, pay attention, and connect more deeply with the places we move through every day.

More to Explore

If you enjoyed learning about texture hunting, there’s more to explore at Sacred Circle Healing Arts Studio.

Throughout the year, we offer creative workshops, community art projects, meditation experiences, and hands-on gatherings that invite participants to slow down, connect, and create in meaningful ways.

Whether you’re interested in mindfulness, art-making, community connection, or simply trying something new, we’d love to have you join us for a future offering.

You can learn more about upcoming events and workshops at sacredcirclehealingarts.ca/events