Art 2 painting terminology

acrylics

a fast drying, water based paint used with a brush and with/without water

abstract

this kind of art doesn't require a realistic depiction of reality but rather uses shapes, colors, forms, and similar to achieve a certain effect.

Aesthetic

It's the study of beauty and taste. You can say its a branch of philosophy dealing with beautiful things

Archival

means that something can be used for the long term. For example, if you have an archival ink pad, it means the ink is durable after you´ve used it on paper, and it won't affect other media or fade with time.

Archival papers

This is a durable and permanent kind of paper. It ´ s often used for important documents that need to be used for a long time. It´s also acid-free.

blending

When you use two or more colors and softly mix them to create a gradual transition or to lose harsh lines and soften the image .

Blocking in

When you want to paint something, you can first use shapes to block in the places where you'll paint. You can block in different colors, positions, or values

Brush marks

Traces or marks created by brush bristles that are visible after you paint with a brush. They ´ re used to create texture and interest

color value

the light and dark variations, You can make lighter values by adding white and darker by adding black to you main color

Composition

is a way in which elements of your artwork, are arranged. There are some composition principles that can help you with this in order to make interesting effects.

contrast

The contrast in art is basically putting two opposing elements together.

Dry brush

Its a technique in painting when you use a brush with no water and some paint. This can result in visible brush strokes that add texture and depth

Emphasis

It ´ s a design principle where you create an element of centered interest. You can achieve this by contrasting colors, or for example, with lines that paint the viewer to the central element.

gesso

is a medium used to prime canvases or paper before putting paint on them. In art journalism, it's mostly used to stop the paper from absorbing liquid and thus preventing bleeding.

gradation

its a slow transition between colors, lines, textures , ect

highlight

used to define an object, together with shadows. They are seen as spots/ areas where light would touch the object.

layer

when you gradually paint an area in order to achieve a certain result. For example, if you want to paint the shadows of a face with watercolor, you´ll do it gradually and build up the shadow with multiple layers.

Matte

The finish is the opposite of glossy. Have you ever taken a magazine image under a lamp? right, it´s so glossy that it reflects the light and you can't see it properly. On the other hand, a matte finish has no gloss at all. You can also buy paint and media with gloss over a matte finish.

minimalism

This art revolves around things such as geometrical shapes, lines and color. These artists use an objective approach as opposed to a subjective view, making the viewer see things/art as they are without a personal story or meaning.

monochrome

using black or white, or painting in varying tones of only one color

movement

can create this by drawing or painting in different techniques and using certain media.

Negative space

is the area that surrounds your main subject or element. It can be painted or not and it serves to help the main element pop and gain more importance.

oil paint

paint that is oil based. the pigments are held together by oil. unlike acrylic paint, which is water based. The two are similar , but still, there are many differences between these two paints.

opacity

is the level at which paint is transparent. the paint lacking transparency is opaque. that is why most acrylic paints are opaque and watercolors are translucent.

opaque

it means something isn't transparent. when the paint is opaque, you can cover any layer beneath it and the previous layers wont show. This can come in handy when you buy acrylic paints. if you want great coverage and no transparency, then get the opaque ones.

palette

1) is a thin board that you can use to lay paint and mix it. They can be wooden, plastic etc 2)can also refer to a range of colors an artist uses for one piece

palette knife

a tool used to mix paint on the palette. can also paint with it

pigment

a colored material/substance added to paints, inks. clothes, food etc., to make them a certain color.

solvent

used to thin oil paints or to clean brushes

stencils

are tools that have pre-cut designs on them. you use it with paint or int to create designs, draw or write easily. They´re very popular in the mixed media because you can create interesting layered background with them

Texture

is a design element that we can see or feel. can usually be felt with our hands However, artists can create an impression of it with different painting techniques or the combination of different tools.

translucent

you can see through it but not completely, for example water colors

undertone

color that can be seen through another layer of color on top of it

varnishes

is used to finish a painting and protect it from light and dust while giving it an equally matte and glossy finish.

wash

it's a semi-transparent look of watercolor when you mix it with a lot of water

water based paint

a paint that can me dissolved by water

watercolor

translucent paint medium that you can mix with water in order to paint with it

water color pencils

colored pencils that react to water.

wet on wet

is when you put some water on the paper fist and then add more watercolor and water on top of that