Teaching high school students the "grammar" of art--the principles and elements of art and design--while also teaching them about creativity and concept can be difficult. This author has found that combining beginning lessons in line, shape, value, texture, form, and color with projects requiring innovation and inspiration, though challenging, is achievable with experimentation and time. The author describes an activity that encourages students to explore the many varieties of textures in the visual arts, both historical and contemporary, and in their own environment.