My Painting Glossary

20 Visual Arts terms

Hi, my name is Jade Paquette. I live at Mirabel. I have been studying Visual Arts for one and a half years at Lionel-Groulx. Painting is a favorite type of art. The glossary that I have made could be useful for the student and teachers who want to improve their English in this field of study. In this glossary, I put some important basic vocabulary words used in painting. By learning the meaning of those words, people can understand what those words are, so they can improve their English comprehension in painting.

acrylic
A paint, prepared especially for artists, in which an acrylic resin serves as a vehicle. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/acrylic
artist
A person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/artist
brush
An implement consisting of bristles, hair, or the like, set in or attached to a handle, used for painting, cleaning, polishing, grooming, etc. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/brush
canvas
A piece of this or similar material on which a painting is made. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/canvas
color
The quality of an object or substance with respect to light reflected by the object, usually determined visually by measurement of hue, saturation, and brightness of the reflected light; saturation or chroma; hue. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/color
color palette
The set of colors on such a board or surface. OR. The range of colors used by a particular artist. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/palette
depth
A dimension taken through an object or body of material, usually downward from an upper surface, horizontally inward from an outer surface, or from top to bottom of something regarded as one of several layers. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/depth
fading
A gradual change of color or gloss in a finish. http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe.nsf/Page/Paint+Terminology
inspiration
An inspiring or animating action or influence. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/inspiration
masking
Process of applying pressure, sensitive tape and paper to a vehicle to prevent paint from being applied where it is not wanted. http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe.nsf/Page/Paint+Terminology+H+-+M#m
medium
Surrounding objects, conditions, or influences; environment. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/medium
mix
To combine (substances, elements, things, etc.) into one mass, collection, or assemblage, generally with a thorough blending of the constituents. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mix
pattern
A decorative design, as for wallpaper, china, or textile fabrics, etc. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pattern
perspective
A technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.Compare aerial perspective, linear perspective.
pigment
A dry insoluble substance, usually pulverized, which when suspended in a liquid vehicle becomes a paint, ink, etc. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pigment
primer
The coating applied to a properly prepared substrate to give corrosion resistance, adhesion and chemical resistance. http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe.nsf/Page/Paint+Terminology+N+-+R#o
resin
A clear or semi-clear part of a paint film which gives solids or film build. Resin gives the finish shine, gloss, durability, adhesion, handling and drying characteristics. http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe.nsf/Page/Paint+Terminology+N+-+R#r
stabilizer
Special resin-containing solvent used in basecoat color to lower viscosity helping in metallic control and recoat times. http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe.nsf/Page/Paint+Terminology+S+-+Z
texture
The visual and especially tactile quality of a surface. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/texture
viscosity
Determined by allowing a measured amount to flow through an orifice and measuring the time it takes for this amount to flow. http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe.nsf/Page/Paint+Terminology+S+-+Z#w