A Small Glossary of Art Terms Wed, 19 Mar 2003

Abstract:
In artistic terms is directly opposed to representational painting. Abstract art may not necessarily represent anything but may suggest thoughts, feelings or emotion.

Avante-Garde:
Refers to artists who work in a new style that breaks with tradition.

Chiaroscuro:
Play of light and dark to creat an effect of modeling.

Collage:
Composition made by pasting various pieces of material onto a flat. surface

Diptych:
A two-paneled artwork

Etching:
Design incised on metal plate coated with wax. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed parts of the plate are eaten away by the acid, enabling an artist to achieve subtleties of line and tone.

Fresco:
Painting executed on plaster with water base pigments.

Genre:
Painting that realistically depicts scenes from everyday life.

Gesso:
Mixture of plaster and glue spread on the surface in preparation of painting.

Gouache:
A watercolour that is opaque so that it covers the painting surface. Sometimes not so highly regarded but when used skilfully can produce excellent results.

Icon:
An image of a sacred object often venerated in the Eastern Church.

Impasto:
Pigment thickley applied to a panel or canvas.

Monochrome/monotone:
Refers to painting in one colour.

Print:
Design or picture rperesented in more than one copy - etching, engraving, lithograph, wood cut.

Surrealism:
Surrealist painting often portrays the unbelievable. The movement was led by Dali.

Tempera:
Pigment mixed with egg yolk, glue or casein.

Triptych:
A three panelled artwork.

Watercolour:
A tinted wash often applied to paper.