Glossary of Painting Terms

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Aria

A glossary-style reference covering fundamental concepts and techniques in painting, from materials and tools to visual effects and compositional methods. Entries define terms such as acrylic and charcoal, canvas structure, gesso preparation, and fixatives, then expand into artistic approaches including action painting, color-field work, blending, and blocking-in. It also explains key visual principles like atmospheric perspective, chiaroscuro, chroma, and foreshortening, supporting clearer understanding and consistent application.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Glossary Entries

Materials and Mediums

Techniques and Methods

Color and Composition

Educational Material Glossary of Painting Terms accent A detail, brushstroke, or area of color placed in a painting for emphasis. acrylic Acrylic paint is made by suspending pigment in a binder. Developed commercially in the 30s and 40sand perfected in the 50s through 70s, this popular alternative to oil paint can also duplicate many of watercolor’s unique characteristics when used in a fluid manner. Acrylics dry faster and are less translucent than oil paints. action painting A style of nonrepresentational painting that relies on the physical movement of the artist in using such gestural techniques as vigorous brushwork, dripping, and pouring. Dynamism is often created through the interlaced directions of the paint. A subcategory of Abstract Expressionism. analogous colors Closely related hues, especially those in which we can see a common hue; hues that are neighbors on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green. atmospheric perspective Suggesting perspective in a painting with changes in tone and color between foreground and background. The background is usually blurred and hues are less intense. (For example when you look off into the distance things that are far away are distorted by the atmosphere causing them to look blurry and muted in color.) background The area within a composition that appears further away from the viewer; objects appear smaller and with less detail. binder The medium that holds pigment particles together in paint; for example, linseed oil or acrylic polymer. blending Fusing two color planes together so no sharp divisions are apparent. blocking in The simplifying and arranging of compositional elements using rough shapes, forms, or geometric equivalents when starting a painting. blotting Using an absorbent material such as tissues or paper towels, or a squeezed out brush, to pick up and lighten a wet or damp wash. Can be used to lighten large areas or pick out fine details. canvas Canvas is a plain woven cloth of natural fibers (typically linen or cotton) usually stretched tightly over a wooden frame called a stretcher. charcoal Used for drawing and for preliminary sketching on primed canvas for oil painting. Natural vine charcoal is very soft and can be easily rubbed off with a soft rag. Natural willow charcoal is harder than vine charcoal and gives a darker line. Compressed charcoal is available in several forms. You can choose from stick form, wood-encased pencils, and peel-as-you-go paper wrapped pencils. These charcoal formulations range from extra soft to hard. chiaroscuro Italian for “light-dark.” Chiaroscuro is defined as a bold contrast between both light and dark. The gradations of light and dark values in two-dimensional imagery; especially the illusion of rounded, threedimensional form created through gradations of light and shade rather than line. Highly developed by Renaissance painters. chroma The purity or degree of saturation of a color; relative absence of white or gray in a color. cold pressed Watercolor paper that is cold pressed has mildly rough texture. color field painting A movement that grew out of Abstract Expressionism, in which large stained or painted areas or “fields of color” evoke aesthetic and emotional responses. complementary colors Two hues directly opposite one another on a color wheel (for example, red and green, yellow and purple) which, when mixed together in proper proportions, produce a neutral gray. These color combinations create the strongest possible contrast of color, and when placed close together, intensify the appearance of the other. The true complement of a color can be seen in its afterimage. composition The bringing together of parts or elements to form a whole; the structure, organization, or total form of a work of art. The “art” of arranging the elements and/or color of an artwork in a manner that pleases the eye. deckle The rough edges of watercolor and drawing papers. dry brush Any textured a

FAQs

What is acrylic paint and how does it differ from oil paint?

Acrylic paint suspends pigment in a binder and dries faster than oil paint. It is less translucent, but with fluid use it can mimic some watercolor characteristics.

What does action painting focus on?

Action painting is a nonrepresentational style that emphasizes the artist’s physical movement through gestural techniques such as vigorous brushwork, dripping, and pouring. It often creates dynamism through interlaced directions of paint.

How are atmospheric perspective and foreground described in the glossary?

Atmospheric perspective suggests depth through changes in tone and color, with distant background appearing blurred and less intense. Foreground is the closest part of a scene, where objects appear larger and more detailed.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Aria