A glossary of common art terms and their definitions from A-Z. This dictionary contains over 625 art-related words that every artist, art connoisseur, and art history buff needs to know. Quick links:
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Kaolin
A fine, soft white clay formed when feldspar or other clays naturally decompose. It is used in the manufacture of porcelain and china, as a filler in paper and textiles, and in medical absorbents. Also known as china clay.
Kern
Used in typography to reduce or adjust the amount of space between letters or characters to give them the appearance of more even spacing, so those characters appear better fitted together. Also referred to as kerning. Letters most often benefiting from kerning include the letters i, l, and t.
Key (low- or high-)
A phrase used to express the predominant values of a painting or drawing. “Low key” refers to a work that primarily consists of darker values, whereas “high key” describes a work that stays to a large extent in lighter values.
Khartoum School
A modernist art movement in Sudan, emerged in 1960 to create a unique visual vocabulary reflecting the nation’s identity. This movement, characterized by primitive and Islamic imagery, played a significant role in Africa’s modern art growth, particularly in its use of calligraphic writing, simplifying Arabic script into abstract shapes.
Kiln
(Pronounced “kill”) refers to an oven or furnace burning, baking, or drying, especially for firing pottery or ceramic.
Kinetic Art
An art form incorporating mechanical elements that move, often powered by wind, motors, or manual pressure. It emerged as a prominent art movement in the 1950s.
Kitchen Sink Painters
A British cultural movement in the late 1950s and early 1960s, consisting of a group of artists known as the “Beaux Arts Quartet,” celebrated for their portrayals of ordinary people in everyday life scenes.
Kitsch
A term of German origin used to categorize art or design considered to be in poor taste, lacking the sense of creativity and originality displayed in genuine art, because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.
Kneaded Eraser
A tool used by artists to remove graphite and charcoal particles from a paper drawing. It is made from a pliable material that is similar to putty or gum and can be formed into any shape by hand-kneading it. This allows for precise erasing, highlighting, and detailing tasks.
Kouros
(Visual Art: Archaic period, 7th to 5th centuries BCE)
Refers to free-standing Ancient Greek sculptures depicting nude male youths, often crafted from marble. While some “kouroi” represented the god Apollo, many served as grave markers or offerings to the gods. The statues’ youthful features, including beardless faces, signified an age of not yet fully matured adulthood.
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This word list of art terms and definitions is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art reference dictionary online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art definitions word list is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it, but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Lacquer
Refers to a clear or colored finish material that dries to a hard, glossy finish. Usually applied with a sprayer, lacquer dries too quickly for smooth application with a brush unless specially formulated.
Land Art (Earth Art)
An art movement that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States and Great Britain as a response to the commercialization of art. It involved works made directly in the landscape, sculpting the land itself into earthworks or making structures in the landscape using natural materials found on-site, such as rocks, twigs, and soil. Land art sites were often far from metropolitan areas, emphasizing a connection to nature. Also known as Earth art, environmental art, and Earthworks.
A painting, drawing, or photograph that depicts outdoor scenery, featuring mountains, valleys, meadows, trees, rivers, woodlands, the sky, and weather. They can even include farms and structures in the countryside. Fencing, bridges, barns, windmills, and farmhouses are examples of what one could expect to see in landscape art. For more on landscapes, click here.
Leading
In typography (rhymes with heading), the space between lines of type, often measured from the baseline of one line to the baseline of the next and less frequently measured from ascender to ascender. The term “leading” originates from the era of hot metal typesetting, where strips of lead were inserted between lines of type to establish line spacing.
Life Drawing (Figure Drawing)
A form of art that involves drawing the human figure from live models, aiming to encapsulate the essence, spirit, and emotions of the subject, rather than just the physical appearance. It’s a practice that allows artists to study anatomy, proportions, and movement, honing their skills by observing real-life models in a classroom setting or during sessions with hired models.
Light Table (Light Box)
A table that has a translucent top with a light shining up through it, made especially for working with negatives, viewing transparencies and slides, and pasting up artwork. Light tables are a staple in the graphic design industry, especially for the creation of cartoons and comics. They are indispensable for tracing artwork, examining film negatives, and reviewing photolithographs, or any other work that requires a detailed inspection on a flat surface.
Lightfastness
Refers to a paint’s ability to resist fading under ultraviolet light, determining the pigment’s retention of its original color. To determine the lightfastness of your oil paints, check the label and look for the official American Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) rating.
Lightfastness ratings are:
ASTM I—Excellent
ASTM II—Very Good
ASTM III—Not Sufficient
Likeness
Refers to the similarity in appearance, character, or nature between persons or things.
Limited Edition
A limit placed on the number of prints produced in a special edition to create a print scarcity. Limited edition prints are signed and numbered in sequence by the artist. Once the edition is sold out, the digital file is deleted by the Giclée Printmaker to ensure the edition’s uniqueness. The artwork will never be replicated in that format.
Refers to using a small selection of pigments, typically three to five, to create a wide range of colors. This technique, which involves restricting color choices, allows an artist to achieve a greater sense of harmony and unity within their work. Artists like John Singer Sargent, Anders Zorn, and Claude Monet utilized this method. The pigments selected depend on the desired effect: muted tones, intense contrasts, or maximum color variations with minimal tubes of paint.
Line
A long, narrow mark connecting two points. It has one dimension — length. When two ends of a line meet, a shape is created. Lines can also create textures and patterns when combined with other lines. There are different types of lines they include: horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved, organic, contour, geometric, and implied. An implied line is the path that the viewer’s eye takes as it moves along a path from form, color, or shape within a work of art.
Line Drawing (Line Art)
A drawing style that uses a pencil, pen or brush to create distinct straight lines or curves of a shape or form on a simple background. Line art is often one color and is used to depict two- or three-dimensional objects with no hue or shade variations.
Linear Perspective
A graphical system used by artists for creating the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface. The system is based on a scientifically or mathematically derived series of actual or implied lines intersecting at a vanishing point on the horizon. As objects move away from the viewer, they appear to grow smaller and converge toward the vanishing point. The vanishing point may be in any direction the viewer looks, including up, and may also be visible (on the canvas) or imaginary (somewhere off the canvas). Linear perspective determines the relative size of objects from the foreground to the background.
Linseed Oil
The most popular drying oil used as a painting medium. The medium hardens over several weeks as components of the oil polymerize to form an insoluble matrix.
Lithography
Uses the principle that oil, and water don’t mix as the basis of the printing process, a method of printing using plates whose image areas attract ink and whose non-image areas repel ink. Non-image areas may be coated with water to repel the oily ink or have a surface, such as silicon, that repels ink.
Local Color
An object’s true color. The actual color, distinguished from the apparent color of objects and surfaces, is true color without shadows or reflections.
Lowercase
In typography, small letters of a typeface, as opposed to capital or uppercase letters. Derived from the location of the type cases where typographers used to store metal or wood letterforms.
Luminism
An American landscape painting movement that flourished from the 1850s to the 1870s. It was characterized by a focus on the effects of light in serene, tranquil environments. Luminism had a significant influence on later American landscape art. It was instrumental in clearing the path for later art movements that also honored the American wilderness, such as the Hudson River School.
Luminosity
The illusion of light emanating from within a painting, creating a sense of brightness, glow, and radiance. It organizes scenes, defines detail, and conveys emotion. Artists use various methods to create luminosity, such as layering transparent paints or glazes, applying hard edges and soft highlights, or using chiaroscuro.
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This reference dictionary of art terms is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art lingo lexicon online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art terms reference dictionary is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Macramé
An old craft form of textile-making that uses knotting rather than weaving or knitting. Its primary knots are the square knot and forms of hitching (full hitch and double half hitches). Sailors use it, especially in elaborate or ornamental knotting forms, to decorate anything from knife handles to bottles to parts of ships.
Magenta
One of the four process colors, or CMYK, the M is for magenta. A color also known as fuchsia or hot pink; a moderate to vivid purplish-red or pink.
Mahl Stick
A tool used by artists to steady their hands while painting intricate details on canvas art. The word Mahl stick originates from the Dutch word “maalstok,” which means “painter’s stick.” It is a three-foot long, round stick with a knob on one end. The painter rests the ball end on the edge of the canvas, easel, or dry spot of the painting, while holding the other end with a non-painting hand to steady the brush hand while painting. Also referred to as an “artist’s bridge.”
Manilla Paper
An inexpensive, cream-colored drawing and coloring paper often used in children’s crafts.
Mannerism
An artistic movement developed in the sixteenth century as a reaction to the classical rationality and balanced harmony of the High Renaissance, characterized by the dramatic use of space and light, exaggerated color, elongation of figures, and distortions of perspective, scale, and proportion. El Greco was a prominent practitioner of this style.
Marbling
The art or process of producing specific patterns of a veined or mottled appearance to imitate the look of marble.
Maritime Art (or Marine Art)
Artwork that derives its inspiration from the sea. This art genre depicts life on the high seas, boats and ships, fishermen, and so on. It includes art showing shipping on rivers and waterways, as well as all art depicting boats and ships. It almost always consists of some element of a seafaring vessel. Ship portraits are also a popular style of maritime art that depicts a single vessel. For more on marine art, click here.
Maritime Artist
A skilled artist who creates artwork featuring ships, boats, and various maritime themes, using mediums like oil paints, watercolors, and pastels to depict the beauty and force of the sea and the majesty of seagoing vessels.
Marquette
A French term for “small model,” refers to a small wax or clay model used as a preliminary sketch in sculpture, often presented to clients for approval or for entry in a competition.
Masterpiece
A work done with extraordinary skill, especially a work of art, craft, or intellect; an exceptionally outstanding achievement.
Medieval Art
A style of European art from the Middle Ages that dates from the 5th to the 15th century. Medieval art is characterized by its focus on religious subjects and themes, utilizing a variety of artistic mediums such as sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, tapestries, mosaics, and metalwork. It is typically flat or two-dimensional, reflecting the cultural, social, and religious changes that occurred in the medieval period.
Medium (in art)
A broad term having multiple meanings: 1. The specific art materials or supplies artists work with to create a piece of art. 2. A particular type of art, such as painting, drawing, printmaking, or sculpture.
Mexican Muralism
A movement that began in the early 1920s sought to educate the uneducated population about Mexico’s history while also presenting a vision of the country’s future. Muralists, inspired by the Mexican Revolution, created politically charged public murals that emphasized Mexico’s pre-colonial history and culture, presenting peasants, laborers, and people of mixed Indian and European ancestry as heroes. José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and David Alfaro Siqueiros led a movement using techniques such as fresco, encaustic, mosaic, and relief.
Middle Ground
The space that makes up the distance between the foreground and background of a painting. There is no specific measurement for what the limits are. Typically, it is located somewhere on the middle plane of the canvas.
Mineral Spirits
An inexpensive paint thinner that cleans brushes, thins paint, cleans furniture, and removes wax; it is often used as a substitute for turpentine.
Miniature
A representational work of art made on a significantly reduced scale.
Minimal Design
Omitting all non-essential or unimportant elements and details that don’t contribute to the essence of the overall composition to emphasize what is important.
Minimalism
(Visual arts: painting. Also known as: ABC art, minimal art) A movement and style of art from the 20th century that attempts to reduce art to basic geometric shapes with the fewest colors, lines, and textures. Minimal art does not seek to be representative of any object.
Mixed Media
An art technique where an artist employs different physical materials, such as ink and pastel, painting and collage, etc., and combines them into a single work.
Model
Someone who poses for artists to draw, paint, sculpt, or photograph. Models are important in the creative process since they serve as a reference point for the human body in an artwork.
Modeling (in art)
A term with multiple descriptions: 1. The process of using clay, wax, or plaster to create a miniature version of a form. 2. The act of serving as an artist’s model, posing for a painting, sculpture, or photograph.
Modern Art
An art movement that existed from the 1860s to the 1970s. It is characterized by a departure from traditional representational art to a more abstract, experimental style. Modern art is often associated with social and cultural changes, such as industrialization, urbanization, and new technologies. It includes a variety of styles and movements, including Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art.
Monochromatic
Having only one color. A color scheme limited to variations of one color along with its various tints, shades, and tones.
The following is an example of a monochromatic family.
A painting, drawing, or photograph done in different shades of a single color. Understanding how to work with light and shadow allows an artist to create artwork with a lot of contrast using a single color. Monochrome art is often a popular choice for interior design schemes, since it adds an air of style to any space.
An artwork comprised of seemingly unrelated shots or scenes that combine various existing images, such as photographs or prints, and are arranged so that they join, overlap, or blend to create a new image that achieves meaning.
Mosaic
An art medium in which small pieces of colored glass, stone, or ceramic tile called tessera are embedded in a background material such as plaster or mortar. Also, works that were made using this technique.
Motif
An important and noticeable element or feature that is repeated throughout the composition or design.
Movement
A principle of design that gives the artist control over what the viewer sees next. It shows action and creates a feeling of motion. Using this principle, the artist can create the path our eyes will travel as we look at a piece of art. Movement can be created through the use of repetition, rhythm, and action.
Multimedia Art
Artwork that uses a combination of electronic media, which could include video, film, audio, and computers.
Multimedia Artist
An artist who uses technology to create designs and special effects for electronic media.
Munsell Color System
A scientific method for visually identifying and matching colors, developed by Albert Munsell, a scientist and artist. It uses three dimensions: hue, value (lightness), and chroma (intensity or purity) to express colors in a concrete way, based on rigorous measurements of people’s visual responses to color.
Mural
A large-scale painting or piece of graphic art created directly on a wall or ceiling. Common techniques for creating murals include fresco, mosaic, graffiti, and marouflage.
Muse
Someone who inspires creativity in the arts, especially for artists, writers, or musicians, and/or sometimes in the sciences. Throughout history, these have typically been women (but not always). The name comes from the Muses, ancient Greek goddesses of inspiration.
Museum
A not-for-profit institution that houses objects of scientific, historical, cultural, or artistic value. A museum is an institution dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, research, display, and educational interpretation of artifacts. Many museums offer public exhibitions of these historical items, while others maintain private collections for use by scholars, researchers, and experts.
Museums operate ethically and professionally, and with the participation of the community, they offer a wide range of educational, recreational, reflective, and knowledge-sharing experiences. The word “museum” originates from the Latin “muses,” which means “a source of inspiration” or “to be engrossed in one’s thoughts.”
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This art terms and definitions reference is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art concordance online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art definitions reference is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it, but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Naïve Art
A style of art characterized by its childlike simplicity, which includes minute detail, vibrant colors, disproportionate figures, and a lack of perspective. It depicts basic, easy-to-understand situations of everyday life that are frequently romanticized. The lack of perspective frequently gives the impression that figures within naïve paintings are weightless or floating. Naïve artists are frequently self-taught and have very little or no formal training in art.
Naples Yellow
The oldest synthetic yellow hue of a muted reddish yellow to a bright light-yellow pigment. Known to have been created by the Ancient Egyptians. Often used in paintings during the 1700s through the 1850s.
Narrative Art
A type of visual art that tells a story or represents elements of a story. An example of this genre would be Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” or illustrations often found in children’s books.
National Art Education Association (NAEA)
A non-profit professional organization founded in 1947 in the United States and is based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is the world’s largest professional art education association. The NAEA uses visual arts, design, and media arts to educate and enrich the lives of all learners and communities, as well as to serve as a catalyst for future generations to be creative and culturally competent. Visit their website for more information about the NAEA.
Negative Space
Refers to the empty or open area surrounding an object in a piece of art. It serves to define the object, provides it with space to stand out, ensuring the artwork doesn’t appear overly crowded, and greatly influences the viewer’s perception of the piece.
In the example, it’s the “empty space” (the area in black) or unoccupied areas that lies between objects, shapes, and forms within a composition and is also the space in the background that is not at first noticeable. It goes in all directions and goes on forever. It flows in, around, and between shapes and objects.
Neon Art
A new art medium that uses neon lights to create visually stunning artworks that often incorporate motion and interactivity. Neon art serves to amplify the impact of art installations, setting itself apart from neon signage by focusing on atmospheric illumination and making bold statements, rather than serving advertising or directional purposes.
Neutral Color
Colors of very low saturation, approaching grays. Neutral colors do not appear on the color chart and are neither warm nor cool. These colors are termed ‘neutral’ because they are devoid of color, created by blending equal amounts of complementary colors, which produces muted grays. Black and white fall into the neutral category as well, since they are not warm or cool and remain unchanged in hue.
New Media Art
A genre of art that encompasses artworks created with new media technologies, including digital art, computer graphics, computer animation, virtual art, Internet art, interactive art, video games, computer robotics, 3D printing, and art as biotechnology.
NFTs (non-fungible tokens)
Represent a significant advancement in digital art. They are unique digital identifiers recorded on a blockchain and cannot be copied, reproduced, substituted, or subdivided. NFTs serve to verify the ownership and authenticity of singular items such as art, music, or films.
Non-objective Art
(Also known as: abstract art, non-figurative art, non-representational art)
An abstract or non-representational style of art that does not portray scenes or objects as they appear in the real world. Instead, the artist focuses on creating a visual expression through the formal elements of texture, value, color, shape, and line. Non-objective art, often known as geometric abstraction, is defined by its use of geometric forms. Many people find this art form challenging to comprehend or enjoy because they tend to gravitate towards imagery with tangible elements.
A work of art (most often a painting or sculpture) depicting an individual without clothing or very little clothing.
Numbered Prints
A term used in printmaking to indicate the number of editions struck from one plate. Typically, this number is written as a fraction over the total edition size. For instance, “24/100” signifies the print’s unique number and the overall number of editions. Contemporary artists often limit their editions, signing and numbering them in pencil.
You May Also Like
This art terms sourcebook is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art vocabulary words list lexicon online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art terms sourcebook is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it, but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Octaptych
An artwork consisting of eight panels or sections where each panel depicts a different but related composition. The panels may then be hinged together or presented side-by-side to make one large image. The term “octaptych” is not a widely used, although it is used in the visual arts community. The term originates from the Greek “octa,” meaning “eight,” and “ptychos,” which translates to “fold” or “layer.” Also see “polyptych.”
Oil Paint
An art medium used by artists since the 1500s. Oil paint is a slow-drying medium made from ground pigment suspended in a natural drying oil, which is usually linseed oil, but can also be walnut or poppyseed oil. It can be applied thick or thin and can be used with glazes. Oil paint’s slow drying makes it easier to blend from dark to light, creating three-dimensional illusions. Its richness and glow make it popular among painters. Clean-up involves using turpentine or mineral spirits.
An artistic composition or representation done with oil paints on a canvas surface. Also refers to the art or practice of painting with oil paints. Oil painting artists are often referred to as painters. Some of the most famous oil painters in history include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarotti, Vincent van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer, and Rembrandt van Rijn.
Oiling Out
A technique where a thin layer of oil is applied to a dried layer of oil paint to make it more flexible and workable. This process allows improved color blending, smoother transitions, and an even surface. It also serves to equalize the sheen of the painting’s surface, enabling the artist to assess the remaining work needed to complete the artwork. Additionally, it enhances the saturation of the colors in an oil painting, rejuvenating it if it has become dull or faded. Once the oiling out process is complete, the artist can either continue painting or allow it to dry.
Old Master
A term that refers to a prominent and highly skilled European artist, especially a famous painter during the period roughly 1300–1830. Also refers to a painting by such an artist.
On-chain Art
Refers to a type of digital art called NFTs (non-fungible tokens) that is created using generative algorithms that are coded and completely stored on a blockchain. This enables the development of one-of-a-kind, verifiable digital artworks, as well as a secure and transparent method of verifying the artwork’s authenticity and tracking its ownership history..
One-point Perspective
One-point Perspective
The simplest method of drawing perspective. It uses only a single vanishing point on the horizon line. A vanishing point is where two or more parallel lines converge into each other at “infinity.” A long hallway, railroad track, or road with the viewer positioned face-on and looking down the center is an excellent example of this perspective. As seen in the illustration, the two tracks are parallel to each other, and you know they will remain the same distance apart. However, the further away they get, the closer they appear to be until they eventually disappear at the horizon.
Op Art (Optical Art)
An art movement that originated in the 1960s. It employs optical illusions to engage and mesmerize the viewer. Characterized by its use of bold colors or stark black-and-white contrasts, Op Art features geometric patterns and lines. It often utilizes precise mathematics and abstract shapes to create effects that may give the impression of movement, reveal hidden images, or produce flashing, vibrating patterns, as well as the illusion of swelling or warping. It is distinct from pop art.
Open Composition
Up, Up, and Away! by Teresa Bernard is a good example of open composition.
A compositional technique where elements of an image run off the edges and seemingly beyond the boundaries of the canvas, drawing the viewer inside the scene making it easy to imagine what is happening outside of the physical edges of the artwork. Landscapes are prime examples of open compositions.
Also known as partitive color, this phenomenon occurs when two or more colors placed near each other create the illusion of new colors. Unlike traditional color mixing, which involves physically mixing pigments to create new colors, partitive color occurs perceptually, between our eyes and our brain. The perceived mixing increases with distance.
Orange
A secondary color that results from the combination of two primary colors, specifically red and yellow. Orange is the complement or opposite of the color blue. The color of carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, oranges, and many other fruits and vegetables.
Origami
The Japanese art of folding paper into shapes that look like birds, animals, etc. The object is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques.
Original (work of art)
The term ‘original’ often denotes exclusivity or uniqueness, suggesting that the artwork is not a reproduction by any means, such as offset lithography, digital printing, or forgery. However, not every painting qualifies as original; the term also signifies a newly created image. Therefore, a painted reproduction of an existing work does not constitute an original.
Refers to artwork by those outside of mainstream society. Outsider art broadly includes folk art, ethnic art, and art by prisoners, the mentally ill, and others neither trained in art nor making their works to sell them.
Overlap Effect
A technique used by artists to create a sense of depth and space within the compositions of their drawings or paintings. This is done by deliberately positioning objects so that some parts are hidden behind others. When an object partially conceals another, it creates a sense of depth and spatial relationships. Essentially, overlapping helps artists convey which objects are in front and which are farther back, contributing to the overall composition and realism of a piece.
Overpainting
Refers to the final layer of paint that is applied over the underpainting (or underlayer) after it has dried. The idea behind layers of painting is that the underpainting serves to define the main outlines and design of the piece, allowing the overpainting to fill in the details.
You May Also Like
This art definitions sourcebook is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art words and descriptions lexicon online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The sourcebook of art definitions is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Paint-by-Numbers Art
Paint-by-Numbers Kit
A painting method where the artist paints on a pre-labeled canvas, with each section marked by a number. These numbers match specific paint colors designated for those areas. By painting each section with the corresponding color, the artist gradually completes the entire painting. Paint-by-numbers art usually comes in a kit that consists of canvas, paint, and brushes. This process involves no originality of thought or creativity on the part of the artist.
Click or tap the image for a close-up view showing the numbered areas.
Paintbrush
An artist’s tool of the trade used to apply paint, watercolor, or ink to a surface. In fact, it’s the most important tool an artist uses. Paintbrushes come in various sizes, shapes, and materials. It’s hairs or bristles are held in place by a ferrule attached to a handle. Other parts of the brush are the toe, belly, heel, and crimp. The quality of the hair determines the brush’s quality and cost. Each type of brush has a specific purpose, and different fibers are used for different mediums. See “brush anatomy” for more information.
Painterly Art
An art style that celebrates the specific medium it was created with, such as oil paint, acrylics, pastels, or watercolor. In painterly works, artists embrace the texture and movement of these materials, resulting in visible brushstrokes. The focus is on expressive color, bold strokes, and a more textured appearance.
Painting
The act or process of using a brush to apply paint or other medium to a surface, such as canvas, to create a picture or other artistic composition. It also refers to a painted representation or composition.
Painting Knife
A tool used by artists for applying paint to canvas. The painting knife comes in various styles and sizes. The most commonly used has a diamond-shaped head with a crooked handle. The bend in the handle is so the knife head can be held flat against the canvas without touching the wet surface with your fingers or knuckles. A painting knife may be used with any paint—acrylic, watercolor, or oils. However, oil paint lends itself best to this style of painting because of its thicker consistency. Some artists do entire paintings using a painting knife instead of a brush. Cleanup is much easier than using a brush. Simply wipe the knife clean using a paper towel or cloth.
Please note, a painting knife serves a different function than a palette knife, however, many painters use the two terms interchangeably, and this is ok. For more information, refer to “palette knife.”
Palette
A word in the English language that has more than one meaning. It can refer to a selection of colors used in a color scheme, or the tool used by an artist to mix colors.
In painting, an artist’s palette is the surface they use to mix paint. There are various types of palettes available made from various materials like wood, paper, and plastic, and come in various shapes and sizes. It’s a matter of personal preference which type, shape, and size to use.
Wooden palette
The wooden painting palette is the most traditional of the artist’s painting palettes and was the one used by the Old Masters. Wooden palettes today are manufactured and sealed with a varnish or lacquer. This is important as it helps to prevent the palette from absorbing all the oils from your paint.
Plastic palette
Another popular material for an artist’s painting palette is plastic. Plastic palettes are durable enough to withstand solvents and work well with oil paint. They can be scraped clean and are more adaptable to soap and water than a wooden palette. Usually, these are made of non-staining, white plastic.
Disposable palettes
Disposable painting palettes are pads of waxy paper that come with or without a thumbhole. The top sheet is torn off and used for a painting session. When the session is over, the sheet is disposed of. This makes for a quick and easy cleanup. Some artists find this type of palette convenient, particularly for the classroom or Plein air painting.
Palette Knife
A blunt tool used by artists for mixing paints and scraping a palette clean when a painting session is over. Its design, featuring a straight blade and handle, makes it unsuitable for applying paint to canvas. The tool used for actual painting on canvas is called a “painting knife.” However, it’s common for artists to use the term “palette knife” to refer to both types of knives, which is perfectly acceptable. For more information, refer to “painting knife.”
Pantone Matching System (PMS)
A standardized color system that catalogues nearly 5,000 subtle color shades and variations. Designers and printing manufacturers use this detailed color numbering system to standardize and accurately match colors. It helps overcome the common variation of printed colors when using CMYK. The system assigns unique identification numbers to specific colors, ensuring precise color reproduction across different media and materials.
Paper Filigree
The craft of making decorative designs out of thin strips of paper. Also called quilling paper. See “Quilling.”
Paper Mâché
A versatile crafting technique that uses paper and adhesive to create a variety of objects. The process involves layering moistened paper strips (or other materials) onto a blank surface, such as a balloon or cardboard. The adhesive acts as a binding agent, and as the paper dries, the outer shell hardens.
Papyrus
The predecessor of modern paper made from the pith of the papyrus plant used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
A crayon made from pigment mixed with gum and water and pressed into a stick-shaped form; a work of art created from pastels; a pale color.
Pearlescence
An effect related to iridescence where a surface seems to shimmer with different colors. In this case, light reflects off structures, with a significant portion of the light being white, endowing the object with a pearly sheen. In the automotive industry, pearlescence also refers to specific types of paint finishes.
Pentaptych
(Pronounced pen-tap-tick). A work of art, often used as an altarpiece, consisting of five panels or sections (a centerpiece and double folding doors or wings) where each panel depicts a different but related composition. The term comes from the Greek word “penta” (meaning five) and “ptychos” (meaning “fold” or “layer”).
Pentimento
A term in art that refers to the visible evidence of changes made by an artist during the creation of a painting or other artwork. This can manifest in various ways, such as underpainting, layering, or composition modifications. Pentimento occurs when an artist makes alterations to their work, usually hidden beneath subsequent paint layers. These alterations can be detected using methods such as X-rays, infrared reflectography, or meticulous inspection. The term “pentimento” comes from the Italian word “pentirsi,” meaning “to repent.”
Permanent Pigment
Refers to any pigment expected to last or remain without essential change and is not likely to deteriorate under certain atmospheric conditions, in normal light, or in proximity to other colors.
Perspective
A technique used by artists in drawing or painting to create depth and distance in compositions on a flat surface. There are three basic types of perspective: one-point, two-point, and three-point. The one-, two-, and three-point refers to the number of vanishing points present when creating the illusion of depth and space. In addition to these, there is also zero-point perspective.
Photorealism
A genre of art that encompasses painting, drawing, and other graphic media. Artists in this movement meticulously study photographs and then painstakingly reproduce the images as realistically as possible in another medium. Photorealism became an art movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s in America. For more information on this movement, click here.
Photoshop
A professional image editing and graphics creation software from Adobe. It provides a large library of effects, filters, and layers.
Picture Plane
The surface in a work of art that appears as a transparent layer between the observer and the depicted scene. The picture plane, positioned between the observer and the subject, is typically associated with the elements of a painting that lie directly in the line of sight, often constituting the foreground. This concept is instrumental in generating an illusion of three-dimensionality and perspective within the realms of painting, photography, and other visual arts.
Pigment
Pigments
The coloring agents derived from either natural or synthetic substances, used in paints and drawing materials. It is a substance in paint or anything that absorbs light and produces or reflects the same color as the pigment. Pigments are chemically unreactive and are either completely or nearly insoluble in water or another medium.
Pixel Art
A type of digital art where images are created and edited at the pixel level using graphics editing software. Pixels, the tiniest units of light on a digital display, compose all screen elements, including text. Pixel art often recalls the low-resolution graphics of 8-bit and 16-bit computers, arcade systems, video game consoles, LED screens, and graphing calculators. Its distinctive aesthetic features individual pixels as fundamental components, evoking the appearance of mosaic art, cross-stitching, and embroidery. Pixel artists and game studios continue to use this art form in spite of technology limitations, displaying the distinct visual style of pixel art.
Plane (in art)
Any clearly defined flat surface found in artworks, such as paintings or sculptures.
Plein Air
French for “open-air,” referring to landscapes painted outdoors with the intention of catching the impression of the open air. Plein air is when an artist goes out on location to paint.
In art, point of view refers to the position from which an observer views the subject matter. It significantly influences how we perceive and understand the artwork. There are three main viewpoints: low, normal, and high. A low viewpoint shows subjects from below, while a high viewpoint presents them from above.
Pointillism
A painting technique that emerged in the late 19th century as a response to traditional methods. Instead of using brushstrokes to blend colors on a canvas, Pointillist artists apply small, distinct dots of pure color. These dots optically blend together when viewed from a distance, creating vibrant and textured compositions. Georges Seurat and Paul Signac pioneered this technique, which is especially effective for capturing light and movement in artworks.
Polychromatic
Refers to the use of many colors in art, unlike monochromatic which means having only one hue or color. It describes decorative elements, sculptures, or architectural features adorned with a variety of hues.
Polyptych
(Pronounced pol-ip-tick) A type of artwork often seen as altarpieces in churches and cathedrals, composed of multiple canvases, sections, or panels. These sections are joined or presented side by side to form a single large image. Typically, a polyptych includes five or more panels, featuring a prominent central or main panel flanked by smaller side panels or wings. The word ‘polyptych’ originates from the Greek ‘poly,’ meaning ‘many,’ and ‘ptychē,’ meaning ‘fold’ or ‘layer.’
Pop Art
A modern art style that started back in the 1950s and drew inspiration from commercial and consumer aspects of everyday life, especially in American culture. Such imagery included advertising, mass media, comic books, celebrities, and elements of popular culture, like magazines, movies, and even bottles and cans. Specific works of art created by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein are examples of pop art.
An artistic representation of a person, particularly their face. A portrait of an individual can be of just the face, the head and shoulders, or the entire body. In a traditional portrait, the subject is often depicted in a still pose, typically gazing directly towards the artist. Aside from likeness, the essence of a portrait conveys the subject’s mood and personality. This genre includes group portraits (consisting of more than one person), and self-portraits (one in which the artist does an artwork of themself). For more on people and portraits, click here.
Positive Space
Refers to the areas of interest and focus within a piece of artwork. It often includes the main subject, such as a person, landscape, or an object. In the example of the vase, positive space (the area in black) is the form itself, i.e., the vase, The opposite is negative space, which surrounds the subject and points of interest, often appearing empty or lacking detail.
Post-Impressionism
A French art movement from 1886-1905, emerged as a response to Impressionists’ naturalistic depiction of color and light. Led by artists like Cézanne, Gauguin, van Gogh, and Seurat, it rejected naturalism and focused on expressive use of color and form, emphasizing volume, picture structure, and expressionism to create emotional experiences through symbolism and captivating forms.
Potter
A craftsman who shapes pottery on a potter’s wheel and bakes it in a kiln.
Potter’s Wheel
A machine used in shaping clay into round ceramic ware. As a potter works, the wheel’s circular plinth or wheel head rotates, allowing them to apply pressure against the centrifugal force of the clay. This shaping process is known as throwing. The wheel can be operated manually or with an electric motor. It’s a fundamental tool for creating symmetrical and evenly shaped pottery.
Pottery
One of the oldest and most widespread forms of decorative art. It involves creating objects from clay, which are then hardened through firing. These objects can be both functional (such as vessels for holding liquids) and aesthetic (like plates or bowls). The process of pottery allows artists to mold and shape clay into various forms, from simple vessels to intricate sculptures.
Pre-Columbian Art
Refers to the artworks of indigenous peoples in the Caribbean, North, Central, and South America prior to the arrival of Columbus in America in 1492.
Prehistoric Art
All artwork created in preliterate, prehistoric cultures. Originating in the Stone Age, it covers both the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. This ancient art consists of cave paintings, figurines, engravings, and sculptures, and is significant for predating the invention of written language.
Primary Colors
Red, yellow, and blue colors used in painting and other fine arts. The primary colors, derived solely from natural pigments, are the purest and most essential forms of color that cannot be created by mixing any other colors. The color wheel displays these three primary colors at evenly spaced intervals. They serve as the foundational elements for mixing all other colors on an artist’s palette.
Primitive Art
Art that has imagery of folk art that places emphasis on form and expression and often looks childlike.
Principles of Design
The fundamental aesthetic principles that guide the organization of a work of art. The principles of design include balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, repetition, simplicity (visual economy), space, and unity. An artist’s understanding and application of these principles determines the strength or weakness of the composition.
Print (artist’s print)
An original work created with printmaking techniques such as lithography, etching, woodcut, and screen printing. It enables artists to create many versions of their work while ensuring uniformity and accessibility. The print is usually a limited edition, numbered and signed by the artist.
Printmaking
An art form that involves transferring images from a template to another surface, usually paper or fabric. Traditional techniques include woodcut, etching, engraving, and lithography. Modern artists have expanded the repertoire to include screen printing as well. Templates made from wood, metal, or glass are processed to create the intended design. Once inked, the design is transferred onto a surface using controlled pressure, typically from a printing press. The final print usually appears as a reverse of the original template design. A notable feature of printmaking is the ability to produce multiple impressions from a single template, enabling the creation of editions of the artwork.
Prismatic Colors
The pure, transparent colors of sunlight refracted through a prism. Imagine the vibrant hues you see when light passes through a crystal or glass prism—those are the prismatic colors!
Process Color Printing
A type of printing method that uses four or more standard inks to create thousands of colors, commonly known as CMYK, four-color process, 4/c process, or just process. Also see “CYMK.”
Proportion
A design principle in art that compares the relationship between the size of one element to another. Often, it goes unnoticed until something seems “off,” which usually means it’s “out of proportion” when the size relationship between two elements looks incorrect.
Public Art
Refers to art created for the general public, often installed in outdoor or indoor public spaces. It is available to all and can manifest in different forms such as sculptures, murals, and site-specific installations. Public art has several objectives: it enhances spaces, provides education, commemorates events, and reflects the spirit of the community.
Pure Symmetry
A type of formal balance where elements of a design are exact mirror images across a symmetry line, whether this line is visible or not. Symmetry is a prevalent feature in both geometric patterns and natural forms, as seen in the symmetrical shapes of leaves, flowers, and the wings of butterflies.
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This list vocabulary of art terms and definitions is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art onomasticon online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art terms vocabulary list is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Qajar Art
The Qajar artistic style refers to the art, architecture, and art forms of the late Persian Empire, most notably the Qajar dynasty, which lasted from 1781 to 1925. It is characterized by an exuberant style and flamboyant use of color.
Quadratura
A term that emerged during the Baroque period to describe a painting on a ceiling or a wall to create the illusion of limitless space, i.e., architectural features that seem to extend beyond the actual reach of the room.
Quadrilateral
In geometry, a four-sided polygon with four angles and sides of arbitrary length. The five most common types of quadrilaterals are parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, trapezium, and trapezoid. Quadrilateral structures and forms are common in daily life and are evident in both architecture and art.
Quadriptych
(Pronounced qua-drip-tick)
An artwork, usually a painting, that is divided into four sections or panels, where each panel depicts a different but related composition. Each panel can stand alone as an independent work of art, or displayed together to form a larger, more cohesive image or composition. Also see, “tetraptych.”
Quatrefoil
A carved ornament or design consisting of four lobes separated by cusps, radiating from a common center. It is often used in architectural tracery and resembles a flower with four petals or a leaf with four leaflets.
Quill
A writing tool made from a molted flight feather, preferably a primary wing-feather, of a large bird. Quills served as writing instruments, utilizing ink, prior to the advent of metal dip pens, fountain pens, and ultimately, ballpoint pens.
Quilling
(Also known as Paper Filigree, Filigrana, or filigree work) An art form that involves rolling, shaping, and gluing strips of paper to create intricate decorative designs. Artists manipulate the paper strips to form intricate patterns, either as standalone pieces or to embellish objects like greeting cards, pictures, boxes, or even jewelry.
Quilting
The process of making a quilt from beginning to end. Or the actual act of sewing the layers of a quilt together, either by hand or by machine. Also refers to the finished lines of sewn thread that make up the quilting design.
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This vocabulary list of art definitions is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art reference list online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art definitions vocabulary list is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it, but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Rabatment of the Rectangle
Rabatement of the Rectangle
A compositional technique that arranges elements or divides space within a rectangle to form a perfect square. This method can be applied to any rectangle, allowing for a right or left rabatment in landscape rectangles, and an upper or lower in portrait rectangles. Key elements of the composition are positioned within these squares to establish a focal point. This approach improves the aesthetic quality of artworks by positioning the center of interest away from the middle of the canvas.
Rabbet
In art, the “L” cut all around the perimeter of the frame, against which glass, mat, or picture panels are installed.
Radial Balance
Refers to the arrangement of visual elements around a central point. This arrangement adds depth, evokes movement, and creates a focal point in an image. Think of a mandala or a sunflower. The central point acts as the fulcrum, ensuring stability while maintaining visual interest.
A style of art most people consider to be “real art.” This is because it attempts to depict the topic as it appears in real life but stops short of appearing like a photograph. Realism is art without stylization or following the rules of formal artistic theory. Instead, the artist spends a fair amount of time and effort paying attention to creating an accurate depiction of life forms and objects, perspective, good composition, lights and darks, and color and tone.
Recycled Art
Art made from recycled flip-flops.
Contemporary works of art made from garbage, discarded items, or found objects that once had another purpose. Such items include plastic shopping bags, food containers, old plastic toys, vehicle tires, fabric scraps, bicycle parts, car parts, clothing, footwear, etc.
Red
One of the three primary colors of pigments used in painting, and the complement or opposite of the color green. In painting, red is used to create a multitude of colors when mixed with other hues.
Reference Photos
A collection of images used by visual artists for inspiration and composition. They can be of any living or inanimate object, place, animal, plant life, or individual. They are useful when it’s impossible for the artist to be there in person to physically observe the subject matter they want to paint or draw.
Reflected Light (in art)
The light that bounces off one object and strikes another. It adds depth and variation to an object, creating contrast in dark or uninteresting areas. Additionally, it can lighten some areas of the shadow, giving the shadows more depth and subtlety Understanding reflected light is essential for achieving a sense of three-dimensionality in artwork, whether drawing or painting. Also called bounced light or indirect light.
Relative Apparent Size
An optical illusion where distant objects appear smaller than those in the foreground due to our perception of depth and distance. When we observe a scene, our brain considers the relative sizes of items. If there are two objects that are the same size, the one closer to us will appear larger because it occupies more of our visual field. This phenomenon is crucial for artists to comprehend if they want to a create a sense of depth and spatial relationships in their compositions.
Relative Position
Refers to the position of objects relative to an imaginary line formed by our line of sight. We have a tendency to view items from our own eye level; objects in the foreground (or closest to us) appear on a lower plane, while distant objects appear on a higher plane. This is a notion that artists must understand if they wish to create a sense of depth and spatial relationships in their works.
(Also called “sacred art.”)
Any form of artistic representation that uses religious inspiration to convey a message aimed at spiritual upliftment. It can be a sacred story or a profession of the artist’s faith, encompassing any set of individual beliefs, whether Christian or non-Christian.
Renaissance Art
Refers to the paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the European historical period known as the Renaissance, which means ‘rebirth’ in Italian. Originating around 1400 AD in Italy, this era extended roughly from 1400 to 1600 and marked a pivotal time in European history. It mirrored the cultural and intellectual shifts in philosophy, literature, music, science, and technology. Renaissance art transitioned from the medieval period’s abstract forms to the 15th century’s representational styles, depicting biblical scenes, portraits, classical motifs, and current events. Drawing inspiration from classical antiquity, it emphasized realism and human nobility, echoing the classical art of the Greek and Roman empires. The Renaissance lasted until the 17th century, with artworks often portraying the natural world’s beauty and intricacy. Notable Renaissance artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, celebrated for iconic works like the Mona Lisa, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and the School of Athens.
Rendering
An important process in art that involves creating a realistic representation of a figure, object, or scene using a variety of methods. In conventional art, rendering entails painting with lines, shapes, and colors, whereas in digital art, it entails finishing a piece with computer effects. This step entails working on lighting, shading, and adding details and textures. In both conventional and digital art, rendering improves the quality of a drawing by making it more visually appealing. Shading, lighting effects, and simulated shadow/reflection are among the techniques used. Finally, rendering adds depth and reality to the artwork, making it a useful tool in the art industry.
Repetition
A design principle that involves the repetition of an element or a series of similar elements, either regularly or irregularly.
Representational Art
Also called figurative art, an artwork that represents objects or events in the real world. It is an art that is clearly identifiable as something that already exists in life. The term is in contrast to abstract art.
Reproduction
A copy of an original print or fine art piece. The reproduction could be in the form of an offset-lithographic print or even reproduced using the same medium as the original.
Retreating Colors
Cool colors like blues, greens, and purples appear to recede into the background, creating a sense of distance. Retreating colors are opposite of “advancing colors.”
RGB
An acronym that stands for Red, Green, and Blue. RGB is a color model used to specify colors in digital images and computer graphics. It uses three numbers, each representing 8 bits with integer values ranging from 0 to 2552, to indicate the intensity of the red, green, and blue colors.
Rhythm
A continuance, a flow, or a feeling of movement achieved by the repetition of regulated visual units.
Rich Black
A term used in printing to describe a black ink mixture that includes certain percentages of cyan, magenta, and yellow in addition to black. Plain black is 100% black ink and often appears dull and lacks a certain depth. Whereas rich black results in a darker, richer tone of black. The mixture is often 60% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow, and 100% black, although the percentage can vary.
Right Brain
Refers to a theory in which the brain’s right hemisphere is the center of creativity, governing art and spatial awareness. In contrast, the left hemisphere is tasked with reading, verbal communication, and mathematical operations.
Round Art Brush
A traditional brush shape with a round or pointed tip in a round ferrule. The long hairs have large bellies and taper at the ends. They are ideal for sketching, outlining, detailed work, controlled washes, and filling small areas. Use one to create thin to thick lines that widen as you press down. This brush can hold a lot of paint for thick, large, and bold strokes. Thin, delicate marks are also possible if the pant loaded to the belly is thin. Rounds are most often used for small details and line work.
Rule of Odds
A compositional principle that suggests a composition with an odd number of elements is more captivating than one with an even number. Having an even number of elements tend to create symmetries that may appear monotonous.
Rule of Space (in art)
A technique that creates a sense of motion or activity in a composition by creating a negative space relating to the focal point. For example:
When painting a portrait, if your subject is not looking directly at you, leave some negative space in the direction the eyes are looking, even if they are looking at something off-canvas.
When painting a moving object, such as a runner or vehicle, placing negative space in front of the runner or object rather than behind creates a sense of direction or the implication of an eventual destination.
If your subject is pointing at something or aiming at an object, place some negative space where the subject is pointing or aiming.
Rule of Thirds
A strategy used by professional photographers to aid them when composing the subject matter of their photographs. Painters can use this efficient technique as well. This technique involves dividing the painting surface into nine equal sections and placing the essential elements of the composition along these lines or at their intersections.
Using the rule of thirds ensures that a painter’s composition will not be visually split in half, either vertically or horizontally. It also prevents the main subject from being centered, which would create a bull’s-eye effect and cause the remainder of the painting to be overlooked. Rather, it leads the viewer’s gaze to the focal point and then guides it throughout the artwork, creating a seamless transition from one element to another.
RYB
Stands for Red, Yellow, Blue. The primary colors used in painting and art. Also, see Primary Colors.
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This art encyclopedia is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art encyclopedia online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art encyclopedia is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it, but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Sable Brush
An artist’s brush made from the fur of any member of the weasel family with “red” hair. Despite what their name implies, sable brushes do not come from sables. Some less common natural hairs used for sable brushes are badger, camel, goat, mongoose, ox, pony, and squirrel. Sable brushes are softer and more delicate than bristle or synthetic brushes; however, they are more expensive and require more care. They are great for blending, glazing, and making soft, less-defined marks. The best sizes for this type of brush are one-half inches in width or smaller.
The art of pouring different colored sand into a plastic or glass bottle to create a scene or image.
Sandpainting
The art of pouring colored sands and pigments onto a surface to make a temporary or permanent picture.
Sand Sculpture
The art of modeling sand into an artistic form. Sandcastles are a common form of this type of art form; however, sand sculpting has progressed into more elaborate sculptures that you would expect to see in stone, bronze, or wood.
Sans Serif
In typography, a typeface, such as Arial or Helvetica, does not have a serif (crossline) decorating the main strokes of the characters. Sans is French for “without.”
Screen Art
Refers to artwork that has been prepared for the screen-printing process. Proper setup of the artwork is crucial to achieve high-quality results in screen printing.
Screen Printing
A printmaking technique used to apply inked images to an underlying layer using a mesh stencil or a series of stencils. The ink is distributed to the desired area(s) by being pressed through a porous screen made from fabric (silk or synthetic) stretched tightly over a frame, hence the name screen printing. Also referred to as silk screening or silkscreen printing because silk was once used in the process. The most popular screen in general use is made of polyester. This process is used in printing screen art onto garments, such as T-shirts and sweatshirts, and such items as tote bags, towels, umbrellas, etc.
Sculptor
An artist who creates sculptures.
Sculpture
Any three-dimensional form created as an artistic expression. Sculpture is primarily concerned with space: occupying it, relating to it, and influencing the perception of it.
A painting that depicts the sea or a scene offering an expansive view of the ocean or sea. Seascapes include marine landscapes showing life around the sea with lighthouses, and beach scenes, as well as views of the ocean itself. Seascapes, which capture the beauty of the ocean from the shore, should not be mistaken for Maritime Art that portrays life on the open sea. For more on seascape art, click here.
Secondary Colors
Orange, green, and violet (purple). Secondary colors are created by mixing equal parts of any two primary colors (red, yellow, and blue).
Red + yellow = orange
Yellow + blue = green
Blue + red = violet (purple)
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait by Vincent van Gogh, 1889
A portrait an artist makes using himself or herself as the subject. It is typically drawn or painted from a reflection in a mirror. A self-portrait may be of the artist only or one that is part of a larger work, including a group portrait. Vincent van Gogh was one of the most well-known and prolific self-portrait artists; between 1886 and 1889, he painted himself more than 43 times.
Also, refers to a portrait taken by the photographer of him/herself, either in a mirror, using a remote release, or with a self-timer.
Sepia
A reddish-brown hue sometimes applied to black-and-white pictures, which gives the finished print an antique appearance often associated with monochrome photographs of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Septych
Refers to an altarpiece composed of seven panels, intended to be viewed as a whole. While the term is not widely used, it finds its place within the visual arts community. The word derives from “septem,” meaning “seven” in Latin, and “ptychē,” which is Greek for “fold.” Also called, “Heptaptych“. Also see “polyptych.”
Serif
In typography, serifs are the small features at the end of strokes within letters (see San Serif illustration above).
Serigraph
See “screen printing.”
Sfumato
(Pronounced sfoo·mah·toe.)
A Renaissance Italian painting technique that involves gradually blending colors and tones to create a subtle transition between different areas of a painting. This is achieved by applying multiple layers of transparent paint and softening the edges with a brush. The visual result is soft, imperceptible transitions between colors and tones, giving a sense of blurriness or smokiness. Sfumato mimics the effect of human vision or the out-of-focus plane, creating a realistic and atmospheric rendering of facial features and other forms. Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance polymath, was a master of the sfumato technique, known for its fine shading and soft transitions between colors and tones. His most famous work, the Mona Lisa, is renowned for its use of this technique without lines or borders.
Shade
A color produced by adding black to a pigment.
Shading
The technique of displaying transitions from light to dark or dark to light in an image. It involves darkening areas that would be in shadow and keeping others light to create illusions of dimension and depth.
Shape
An area that stands out from the space next to it or around it because of a defined boundary or a difference in value, color, or texture. It can be geometric (square, circle, hexagon, etc.) or organic (puddle, blob, splatter, etc.).
Sienna
An opaque pigment often used in oil or acrylic painting. It possesses excellent lightfastness and blends well with other colors to produce various shades and tones. Sienna adds depth and warmth to landscapes, still life, and portraits. It ranks among the earliest pigments used by humans, including ochre and umber, as demonstrated in prehistoric cave paintings, and remains favored by artists even now.
Silhouette
A dark image outlined against a lighter background.
A term used in art to describe how two distinct colors or values interact when positioned next to one another. According to the hypothesis, one color can cause the tone and hue of another to look brighter and more vivid. This idea is based on the complimentary color theory, which holds that although colors are the same in nature, their proximity to one another changes how we see them. Simultaneous contrast is essentially an intriguing way that two colors interact, changing our impression of the hue and tone of a surrounding color.
Site-specific Art
A unique form of artwork created to exist in a specific location, often interacting with the environment or architecture of that space. Site-specific art is intentionally created to exist in a specific location, and its unique characteristics are meticulously considered during the planning and creation process. It can be found both indoors and outdoors, engaging with the surroundings in innovative ways.
Sketch
A rapidly executed freehand drawing that is not usually intended as a finished work. It can serve various purposes: capturing what the artist sees, developing ideas, or quickly demonstrating an image or principle. Sketches can be made using various mediums, including silverpoint, graphite, pencil, charcoal, pastel, pen and ink, watercolor, and oil paint. They provide a cost-effective way for artists to explore and record their creative thoughts.
Social Realism
(Art history. Art movement: United States, 1920-1930s. Also known as: urban realism.)
An art movement that arose between WWI and WWII to address social and political concerns. Artists used realism to make their art more accessible and legible to the public, often portraying their subjects as heroic symbols of persistence and strength. This movement aimed to expose and criticize social and political problems like poverty, oppression, injustice, and corruption.
A design principle that refers to the interval or measurable distance between, around, above, below, or within shapes and forms in an art piece. It can be either negative space (empty) or positive space (occupied). In art, it can also be represented as two-dimensional or three-dimensional space.
A modern-day art movement still in its infancy, space art attempts to communicate ideas and appreciation for the infinite variety and vastness of outer space. Its subjects are frequently interstellar and interplanetary elements. Thanks to the invention of telescopes, artists can now depict the grandeur of our universe by rendering what they see out there. Space art often features a variety of celestial bodies, including planets, stars, nebulas, galaxies, as well as spacecraft, astronauts, black holes, moons, comets, and asteroids. Sometimes referred to as astronomical art. For more on space art, click here.
Space Artist
An artist who has an interest in the universe and draws inspiration from space and space exploration. A space artist creates space art (also called astronomical art) in various forms such as paintings, sculptures, and abstract imagery.
Split-Complementary
A variation on the complementary color scheme. Split-complementary is a color scheme that takes two colors on either side of the complementary color, rather than the color opposite the key color. This scheme allows for a wider range of colors while maintaining the basic harmony between the key and complementary colors. It has the same visual appeal as the complementary color scheme but with less contrast and tension. Split-complementary color schemes are a safe choice for almost any design due to their ease of manipulation and always look good.
Spot Color
A solid color created using a premixed ink, typically based on Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors. Spot colors are used when an exact color match is required, such as in a company’s logo.
Stained Glass
Glass that has been colored or stained by various methods. The term also describes the craft of cutting colored glass into different shapes and assembling them with lead strips to form a decorative window design.
Statue
A free-standing sculpture that realistically depicts full-length figures of people or animals, carved or cast in durable materials like wood, metal, or stone.
Stencil
A piece of stiff paper or another suitable material with a design cut out of it, serving as a template for reproducing the shape. It is also a technique for transferring a design by brushing ink or paint over the cut-out areas onto a surface.
Stenciling
A decorative technique in the visual arts used to replicate designs by applying ink or paint through cut-out holes in cardboard or metal onto a surface. This technique employs stencils, which are templates with pre-designed openings, to produce patterns or pictures on different surfaces.
An art form that involves arranging inanimate everyday objects on a table or surface, either natural or man-made. Items like flowers, food, wine, rocks, seashells, or man-made objects like drinking glasses, books, bottles, pottery, dishes, etc. The term still life comes from the French word “nature morte,” meaning “nature dead.” For more on still life art, click here.
Still Life Artist
An artist who creates paintings or drawings of inanimate objects that are either natural or manufactured. The term “still life” comes from the Dutch word “stilleven,” meaning “dead nature” or “motionless life.”
Stippling
A drawing technique consisting of many small dots or specks to construct the image; a method of using small dots to simulate varying degrees of solidity or shading; to paint, engrave, or draw using dots or small touches of the brush, pen, or other tools.
Stomp
A kind of pencil consisting of a tight roll of paper or soft leather, or a cylindrical piece of rubber or other soft material used to rub down hard lines in pencil or crayon drawings to blend the lines of shading to produce a uniform tint.
Street Art
A form of artwork displayed in public spaces, including surrounding buildings, streets, trains, and other publicly viewed surfaces. It encompasses a wide range of visual expressions, from simple graffiti tags to elaborate murals that cover entire buildings. Street art often emerges without formal permission and thrives on accessibility, community engagement, and a rebellious spirit.
Stretcher Bars
Essential support structures used for stretching canvas or fabric in art. They form the frame for finished canvases by allowing the canvas or fabric to be stretched taut over them. Typically made from wood, metal, or a combination of both, stretcher bars help maintain the flatness and stability of the artwork. They are typically rectangular in shape; however, many artists enjoy painting on square, oval, and even round stretched canvases. Stretcher bars come in various weights and sizes to accommodate the requirements of different types of canvases.
Stretched Canvas
A classic (traditional) type of canvas used by artists to create paintings on top of the canvas surface. Canvas fabric is stretched and stapled to the sides of stretcher bars, typically leaving the edges raw or unpainted. Paintings composed on this type stretched canvas will require a frame before display. For more information see blog article “Three Types of Oil Painting Canvas.”
Stylized Art
A style of art that deviates from realistic representations of subjects to express a specific aesthetic. It can involve simplifying shapes, exaggerating features, or using non-naturalistic colors to create a specific mood or atmosphere. Stylized art is not completely abstract, but rather modifies the natural appearance of the subject. It can be found in various forms, including drawings, paintings, and digital art. Stylized art allows creators to break free from strict realism and infuse their work with a unique visual language that resonates with viewers.
Subject Matter
The topic dealt with, or the subject represented in a work of art. The subject matter is what the artist has chosen to paint, draw, or sculpt.
Support
The material providing a surface upon which an artist applies color, collage, etc.
Surrealism
The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí
An art and cultural movement that emerged in Europe after World War I. Artists associated with Surrealism aimed to allow the unconscious mind to express itself, resulting in the depiction of illogical or dreamlike scenes and ideas. The movement emphasized positive expression and sought to reunite conscious and unconscious realms of experience, creating a fusion of everyday reality and the fantastical. Key figures include Salvador Dalí, André Breton, and René Magritte.
Symbolism (art)
A late 19th-century French and Belgian movement, aimed to express emotions and ideas through rich, evocative imagery and symbolic representations. Symbolist artists reacted against Western European culture’s rationalism and materialism by using color and line to create scenes with figures from biblical, mythological, or fantastical sources. They moved away from the representational tradition of Classical art, exploring new ways to express psychological truths and spiritual realities. The purpose of paintings in the symbolism art movement was to focus on what each element or the whole symbolizes rather than what the elements literally are.
Symmetrical
A design or composition that uses identical or nearly identical shapes on opposing sides of a dividing line or central axis to demonstrate formal balance. It consists of equivalent components that face each other or rotate around a central axis to promote harmony and balance. The opposite of “asymmetrical.”
Symmetrical Balance
(Also called formal balance.)
A type of visual balance in a composition achieved through the equal distribution of identical forms and weight on both sides of the central axis. Symmetry is the simplest and most prominent type of balance. It creates a secure, safe feeling and a sense of solidity.
Synthetic Brush
A paintbrush manufactured from either nylon or “Taklon,” a polyester filament. Synthetic brushes offer greater versatility than natural ones because they work well with both acrylic and oil paints. They serve as an economical alternative to natural bristle brushes, but it’s crucial to check that they are specifically designed for use with oil paints.
Some advantages of synthetic brushes are:
They are more resistant to damage from turpentine, insects, or paints.
Cleanup is easier since they don’t tend to trap paint in the individual hairs.
The hairs last longer because they are less prone to breaking and are more durable on many different canvas surfaces.
One disadvantage is that less expensive synthetic brushes tend to lose their shape more quickly than natural brushes.
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This art definitions wordfinder is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art sourcebook online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art definitions wordfinder is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
T-square
A T-square is a technical drawing instrument used by draftsmen primarily as a guide for drawing horizontal lines on a drafting table. It resembles the letter “T,” with a long shaft called the “blade” and a short shaft called the “stock” or “head”. It’s a valuable tool for precise and straight-line drawing in various fields, including technical drafting, architecture, and graphic design.
Tactile Texture
Refers to the actual sensation that one experiences upon touching a surface, which can include roughness, smoothness, softness, hardness, silkiness, sliminess, stickiness, among others. Three-dimensional art forms, like sculptures and architectural features, possess tactile qualities because they can be physically touched and experienced.
Tempera
Also called “egg tempera,” is a method of painting using pigments (color) bound in a water-soluble emulsion, such as water and egg yolk (plus sometimes glue or milk), or an oil-in-water emulsion, such as oil and a whole egg. It is traditionally applied to rigid supports like wood panel or fresco, and the paint dries quickly to a hard film. This technique was the primary method of applying paint to panels in Italian art until after 1500, when the invention of oil painting superseded it. Tempera paintings are very long-lasting, and their colors do not deteriorate over time.
Tertiary Colors
(Also called intermediate colors.)
Red-purple, red-orange, blue-green, blue-violet, yellow-green, and yellow-orange; hues commonly used in painting. There are six tertiary (third in order or level) colors, and they are the result of mixing equal parts of a primary color with a secondary color. The proper way to refer to tertiary colors is by listing the primary color first and then the secondary color.
Tertiary colors are called by their two-word name:
Red + violet (purple) = red-violet (red-purple)
Red + orange = red-orange
Blue + green = blue-green
Blue + violet (purple) = blue-violet (blue-purple)
Yellow + orange = yellow-orange
Yellow + green = yellow-green
Tetraptych
(Pronounced tet-rap-tych)
An artwork, usually a painting, divided into four sections or panels, which is commonly used for altarpieces. The panels can be attached together using a hinge or displayed next to each other. The term “tetraptych” comes from the Greek words “tetra” (meaning “four”) and “ptychos” (meaning “fold” or “layer”). Not to be confused with the term “triptych” which consists of only three panels. Also see, “Quadriptych.”
Texture
Tractor Tire by Teresa Bernard is a good example showing texture in art.
Refers to the way a surface feels or is perceived to feel. It plays a crucial role in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional designs, characterized by its visual and physical properties. Texture is perceptible through touch (tactile) and sight (visual), and it plays an essential role in creating intrigue, contrast, and mood in art. Texture adds depth, complexity, and visual interest, to an image, making it seem more real. When used with other design elements, texture can convey a wide range of messages and evoke various emotions. Also see “tactile texture” and “visual texture.”
Three-dimensional Art
(Also called “3D art.”)
A form of visual art that occupies physical space and can be viewed and interacted with from all sides, incorporating the dimensions of height, width, and depth. Three-dimensional objects include sculpture, architecture, installation art and many decorative art forms.
Three-dimensional (3D) Space
A sensation of space that seems to have thickness, width, height, and depth. This perception is created by visual signals that create the illusion of three-dimensional shapes and areas. These 3D signals are common in nature but often go unnoticed. However, when skilled artists use these cues, they can create the illusion of three-dimensionality on a flat canvas surface.
The techniques used to create the illusion of three-dimensional space are:
A drawing or painting technique that is a little trickier than one- and two-point perspectives because this type involves three vanishing points. It includes two vanishing points somewhere on the horizon line and also a vanishing point either above or below the horizon that all vertical lines lead to. Three-point perspective is ideal for rendering objects, such as buildings and cityscapes when seen from an aerial or ground view.
Three-quarter View
A face or any other subject halfway between a full and a profile view.
Thumbnail Sketch
Crude, small pencil drawings used to develop the initial concept for a design.
TIFF
Acronym for Tagged Image File Format, a standard graphic image file format usually generated by scanners. Developed by Aldus and Microsoft.
Tint
A hue with white added. Pink is a tint of red.
Titanium
An oxide used as a white pigment of great permanence and covering power. Usually extended with other whites to improve its brushing and drying properties.
Tole
The folk art of decorative painting on tin and wooden utensils, objects, and furniture. Typical metal objects include utensils, coffee pots, and similar household items. Wooden objects include tables, chairs, and chests, including hope chests, toy boxes, and jewelry boxes.
Tone
A term that describes the quality of color. It relates to the perception of a color as warm or cool, bright or subdued, light or dark, and pure or muted. Additionally, it denotes the relative lightness or darkness of a color, its shade, or the degree to which a color appears light or dark.
Transition
The change or passing from one condition, place, thing, or activity to another; the passage linking one subject, section, or part of a composition with another.
Triadic (Triad) Colors
A triadic color scheme consists of three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel, creating an equilateral triangle. Thus, every fourth color on the color wheel will make up part of a triad.
Examples of triadic color schemes could be:
Red, Yellow, and Blue (primary colors)
Orange, Green, and Violet (secondary colors)
Yellow-Orange, Blue-Green, and Red-Violet (tertiary colors)
Yellow-Green, Blue-Violet, and Red-Orange (tertiary colors)
Tribal Art
An artform or artifact created by indigenous people that embraces the traditional art of tribal societies in the Americas, Africa, India, the South Pacific, and Australasia. The most common examples of tribal art are masks, paintings, and carved sculptures, many of which are spiritual or religious.
Triptych
(Pronounced trip-tick.)
Artwork that is divided into three painted panels or three relief-carved sections hinged together or displayed side-by-side. The imagery in the three panels may flow together to form a single unified scene, or they may each function as a separate painting yet be related to create a strong sense of visual unity and cohesion. The term “triptych” comes from the Greek word “triptychos”, which means “having three folds” with “tri” (meaning “three”) and “ptychos” (meaning “fold” or “layer”).
Trompe L’oeil
French for “fool the eye.” A two-dimensional representation that is so naturalistic that it looks actual or real (three-dimensional.) This form of painting was first used by the Romans thousands of years ago in frescoes and murals.
Turpentine
A high-quality oil paint thinner and solvent.
Two-dimensional Art
(Also called “2D art.”)
Refers to any form of artistic expression that occurs on a flat surface, such as canvas, paper, walls, or panels. Two-dimensional art is flat, consisting solely of width and height without any depth.
Two-dimensional (2D) Space
A measurable distance on a flat surface such as a canvas or paper. 2D space shows height and width but lacks any illusion of thickness or depth. It can consist of straight or curved lines or both.
In the example, the two-dimensional image appears flat because all the objects and forms lie on the same plane. It has no feeling of depth.
Two-point Perspective
A drawing technique that involves positioning two vanishing points along the horizon line. This perspective places the object where the viewer can look at it from an angle and see two sides at once. Two-point perspective is often used to render geometric shapes such as boxes, cubes, and buildings with a sense of depth and volume. When looking at the object from the corner, one side recedes towards one vanishing point, while the other recedes toward the opposite vanishing point. Each set of parallel lines has its own vanishing point.
Typography
The study and process of typefaces; how to select, size, arrange, and use them in general. In modern terms, typography includes computer display and output. Historically, typography entailed arranging metal types with raised characters, which would be inked and then pressed onto paper to leave an imprint.
You May Also Like
This art terms terminology is provided as a valuable resource for art enthusiasts. If you like the information here and find it helpful, please consider purchasing a painting. Your support helps to cover the cost of keeping this art lexis online. Simply click or tap the thumbnail link of any Teresa Bernard oil painting to view additional details.
The art terms terminology is a work in progress. New terms and definitions are added on a regular basis. If you know of an art term and definition that isn’t already listed in it, but you believe it should be, send it to us and we’ll consider adding it. We’ll let you know if we do. Thanks!
