General General Overview of Art Overview of Art

TermsTerms

General General Overview of Art Overview of Art

TermsTerms

Printing techniquesPrinting techniquesPrinting techniquesPrinting techniques

Printmaking is a type of artmaking in which multiple originals are created by transferring an image from one surface to a different surface. The different printing methods are: Intaglio; ReliefRelief

Lithography; Stencil; and Lithography; Stencil; and Monoprint.Monoprint.

IntaglioIntaglioIntaglioIntaglio

The print surface of an intaglio print is incised. Once the surface has been inked, you rub the ink off the flat part and then use a press to press the paper into the inked grooves.

EngravingEngravingEngravingEngraving

An engraving An engraving is a kind of is a kind of intaglio print intaglio print where the where the marks have marks have been made been made with a tool with a tool and actually and actually carved into carved into the surface.the surface.

DrypointDrypointDrypointDrypoint

A drypoint is just a specific kind of engraving in which the burrs, or little ridges left as you carve into the metal surface are left on the plate. This creates a soff, fuzzy line. Drypoint plates wear out more quickly as the metal wears down, meaning you have to make a smaller series.

BurinBurinBurinBurin

A tool used to create an engraving. The artist cuts grooves directly into the surface of a metal plate. Soft, blurred lines are sometimes created when a burr of metal is left on the plate.

EtchingEtchingEtchingEtching

An etching is a type of intaglio print where the incised surface is created with acid. A “ground” is applied to the metal plate and the artist uses different methods to cut through the ground. Where the ground is thinner more acid reaches the plate, leaving a deeper “bite.”

The bottom artwork is a good example of an “aquatint.”

Relief or WoodcutRelief or WoodcutRelief or WoodcutRelief or Woodcut

In a relief print, the print surface is raised. The artist carves away areas to be left white, and the raised areas accept the ink.

BrayerBrayerBrayerBrayer

A tool used to spread ink on a print plate.

LithographyLithographyLithographyLithography

A lithograph is created on the concept of grease repelling water. Special materials are used to create the image on a stone (litho). Before inking the stone is wet so the ink adheres only to the image area.

Stencil - screenprintingStencil - screenprintingStencil - screenprintingStencil - screenprinting

Stencil, or screen printing is when the image is created by cutting away an area, the ink goes through the part of the screen where the material has been cut away – the other areas remain white. The concept is negative space.

Silk-screen prints and serigraphs are both done this way. Silk-screen prints use a screen made of silk, serigraphs are just the same kind of print but done using a fine mesh screen that isn’t silk.

MonotypeMonotypeMonotypeMonotype

Monotype refers to a printing method where just a single print is created.

BurnishBurnishBurnishBurnish

Rubbing the surface. It can refer to rubbing away the burrs created in the engraving process; rubbing the back of a relief print to transfer the ink from the print to the paper; or rubbing the surface of a clay pot to create a shiny surface.

CartoucheCartoucheCartoucheCartouche

1. A structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament or to bear a design or inscription.

2. An oval or oblong figure in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics that encloses characters expressing the names or epithets of royal or divine personages.

EnamelEnamelEnamelEnamel

An artmaking An artmaking technique in which technique in which powdered glass is powdered glass is adhered to a adhered to a surface and melted surface and melted in a furnace. Many in a furnace. Many cooking pots are cooking pots are coated with coated with enamel.enamel.

Cloisonne’Cloisonne’Cloisonne’Cloisonne’

A method in which very thin ridges of metal are used to separate different colors of enamel.

ConteConteConteConte

A brand of crayon made of graphite and clay, usually in black, red, or brown

ChiaroscuroChiaroscuroChiaroscuroChiaroscuro

1. The technique of using light and shade in pictorial representation.

2. The arrangement of light and dark elements in a pictorial work of art.

ForeshorteningForeshorteningForeshorteningForeshortening

To shorten the lines of (an object) in a drawing or other representation so as to produce an illusion of projection or extension in space.

FrottageFrottageFrottageFrottage

A technique where texture is created by rubbing lead, charcoal or some other material over paper laid on a textured surface. It can also refer to a work of art containing shapes and textures produced by frottage.

                                                          

ContrappostoContrappostoContrappostoContrapposto

The position of a The position of a figure in painting figure in painting or sculpture in or sculpture in which the hips and which the hips and legs are turned in legs are turned in a different a different direction from that direction from that of the shoulders of the shoulders and head; the and head; the twisting of a figure twisting of a figure on its own vertical on its own vertical axis. axis.

MegalithMegalithMegalithMegalith

A very large A very large stone used in stone used in various various prehistoric prehistoric architectures architectures or or monumental monumental styles.styles.

CromlechCromlechCromlechCromlech

A circle of standing stones, such as A circle of standing stones, such as Stonehenge.Stonehenge.

MihrabMihrabMihrabMihrab

A niche in the wall of a mosque or a room in the mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca.

Onion domeOnion domeOnion domeOnion dome

A bulb-shaped dome resembling an onion; characteristic of Russian and Byzantine church architecture.

CrenellationCrenellationCrenellationCrenellation

The notched top of the wall built The notched top of the wall built around a castle. These regular around a castle. These regular gaps were originally used for firing gaps were originally used for firing arrows.arrows.

ColumnsColumnsColumnsColumns

Doric Ionic CorinthianDoric Ionic Corinthian

ColonnadeColonnadeColonnadeColonnade

A structure A structure created created by, or a by, or a series of series of columns in columns in line and line and evenly evenly spaced.spaced.

CaryatidCaryatidCaryatidCaryatid

A column in A column in the form of the form of a woman.a woman.

FriezeFriezeFriezeFrieze

Part of a classical entablature (between the architrave and the cornice) usually decorated with sculpture in low relief, or a decorative band on an outside wall with lettering, decoration, sculpture, etc.

EntablatureEntablatureEntablatureEntablature

The upper part of a Greek or Roman The upper part of a Greek or Roman Order, comprising architrave, frieze, and Order, comprising architrave, frieze, and cornice.cornice.

TraceryTraceryTraceryTracery

Ornamental work in the upper part of a Gothic window.

CampanileCampanileCampanileCampanile

A bell tower, A bell tower, either alone either alone or attached or attached to a to a building.building.

EarthworksEarthworksEarthworksEarthworks

Large-Large-scale scale artworks artworks created created from the from the earth earth itself and itself and designed designed for a for a specific specific location location or site.or site.

EmbossingEmbossingEmbossingEmbossing

To mold or carve in To mold or carve in relief, such as the relief, such as the design on a coin.design on a coin.

EncausticEncausticEncausticEncaustic

A paint A paint consisting of consisting of pigment mixed pigment mixed with beeswax with beeswax and fixed with and fixed with heat after its heat after its application – or application – or the technique the technique of painting with of painting with this material.this material.

FrescoFrescoFrescoFresco

The art or technique of painting on a moist, plaster surface with colors ground up in water or a limewater mixture.

LoomLoomLoomLoom

Hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics, containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.

Warp & WeftWarp & WeftWarp & WeftWarp & Weft

Warp fibers run lengthwise in a weaving. You “dress” or “warp” a loom.

The weft fibers are those woven across, or through the warp.

GenreGenreGenreGenre

A particular class or category of art A particular class or category of art having a particular form and having a particular form and content. Can also refer to artworks content. Can also refer to artworks with a subject matter of everyday with a subject matter of everyday life.life.

GildGildGildGild

Coat with Coat with a thin a thin layer of layer of gold leaf.gold leaf.

                                                                                                                                                      

Golden sectionGolden sectionGolden sectionGolden section

The Golden Section is a Law of Proportionality. It is a Law that occurs frequently in nature and its use is particularly useful in Art. First developed by Vitruvius, it is most famously known from Leonardo Da Vinci's 1509 drawing 'The Divine Proportion'

Vanishing pointVanishing pointVanishing pointVanishing point

The point The point on the on the horizon horizon where where parallel parallel objects objects seem to seem to intersect intersect (such as (such as a road).a road).

GoucheGoucheGoucheGouche

Gouche is an opaque watercolor paint. Unlike transparent watercolor, gouache can be applied in an opaque layer, allowing the artist to use it much like acryilic. It dries to a matte finish, which makes it easily reproducible.

ImpastoImpastoImpastoImpasto

The thick application of paint, The thick application of paint, leading to a rich, textured surface.leading to a rich, textured surface.

GrisailleGrisailleGrisailleGrisaille

A style of A style of monochromatic monochromatic painting in painting in shades of gray, shades of gray, used especially used especially for the for the representation representation of relief of relief sculpture. sculpture.

IlluminationIlluminationIlluminationIllumination

Decorative representation of a letter in a manuscript.

MaquetteMaquetteMaquetteMaquette

A small model of a sculpture, a preliminary 3D sketch for a larger artwork.

KoreKoreKoreKore

A sculpture A sculpture representing a representing a standing standing young woman young woman clothed in long clothed in long robes, robes, especially one especially one produced in produced in Greece before Greece before the fifth the fifth century B.C. century B.C.

KourosKourosKourosKouros

A sculpture A sculpture representing a representing a standing nude standing nude young man, young man, especially one especially one produced in produced in Greece before Greece before the fifth the fifth century B.C. century B.C.

Lost-wax (cire perdue)Lost-wax (cire perdue)Lost-wax (cire perdue)Lost-wax (cire perdue)

A method A method of creating a mold for a cast sculpture. A wax creating a mold for a cast sculpture. A wax model is created. The model is immersed in an model is created. The model is immersed in an investment. The model is investment. The model is lost when the mold is created. when the mold is created.

Mobile/stabileMobile/stabileMobile/stabileMobile/stabile

A mobile is a piece of abstract sculpture having movable units constructed of sheet metal, wire, or other material and attached to fixed supports – a stabile is the same type of sculpture but it doesn’t move.

MandorlaMandorlaMandorlaMandorla

•

The Mandorla is an ancient symbol of two circles coming together, overlapping one another to form an almond shape in the middle. Mandorla is the Italian word for almond. The Mandorla is also known as the "Vesica Piscis" (see the Jensen references below), symbolizing the interactions and interdependence of opposing worlds and forces. Although the symbol has its origins before the Christian era, the early Christians used the symbol as a method to describe the coming together of heaven and earth, between the divine and human.

MandalaMandalaMandalaMandala

Any of various Any of various ritualistic ritualistic geometric geometric designs designs symbolic of the symbolic of the universe, used universe, used in Hinduism in Hinduism and Buddhism and Buddhism as an aid to as an aid to meditation. meditation.

MosaicMosaicMosaicMosaic

A picture or permanent wall decoration made of small, usually colored pieces of inlaid stone or glass.

OdalisqueOdalisqueOdalisqueOdalisque

A representation of a woman who is A representation of a woman who is a female slave or concubine in a a female slave or concubine in a

harem. Ingres and Matisse are harem. Ingres and Matisse are know for know for

paintingpainting

such such

figures.figures.

PapyrusPapyrusPapyrusPapyrus

A paper made from thin strips of the pith of a tall, aquatic plant. Used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.

ParchmentParchmentParchmentParchment

Originally the skin of sheep or goats prepared as writing material. A stiff, off-white paper that resembles the original is called parchment.

VellumVellumVellumVellum

A fine A fine parchment parchment made from made from calfskin, calfskin, lambskin, or lambskin, or kidskin and kidskin and used for the used for the pages and pages and binding of binding of books. books.

Plein airPlein airPlein airPlein air

Painting out of Painting out of doors.doors.

PuttiPuttiPuttiPutti

A representation A representation of a cherebic of a cherebic infant, often infant, often shown winged.shown winged.

SfumatoSfumatoSfumatoSfumato

The subtle and minute gradation of tone and color used to blur or veil the contours of a form in painting.

TenebrismTenebrismTenebrismTenebrism

From an Italian word, literally meaning dark and gloomy. Frequently the main subjects of tenebrist pictures are illuminated by a single source of light, as if a spotlight shone upon them, leaving other areas in darkness.

Trompe l oeilTrompe l oeilTrompe l oeilTrompe l oeil

To paint in a ultra-realistic manner. To paint in a ultra-realistic manner. To “fool the eye” into thinking the To “fool the eye” into thinking the painting is reality.painting is reality.

DiptychDiptychDiptychDiptych

A pair of paintings or pictures, A pair of paintings or pictures, usually hinged together.usually hinged together.

TriptychTriptychTriptychTriptych

A set of three paintings or pictures, A set of three paintings or pictures, usually hinged together.usually hinged together.

PolyptychPolyptychPolyptychPolyptych

A work A work consisting consisting of four or of four or more more painted or painted or carved carved panels that panels that are hinged are hinged together. together.

PigmentPigmentPigmentPigment

A dry insoluble substance, usually pulverized, which when suspended in a liquid vehicle becomes a paint, ink, etc.

GessoGessoGessoGesso

Gypsum or plaster of Paris prepared with glue for use as a surface for painting.

CalligraphyCalligraphyCalligraphyCalligraphy

Decorative Decorative writingwriting

CaricatureCaricatureCaricatureCaricature

A representation, A representation, in which the in which the subject's subject's distinctive distinctive features or features or peculiarities are peculiarities are deliberately deliberately exaggerated to exaggerated to produce a comic produce a comic or grotesque or grotesque effect. effect.

CartoonCartoonCartoonCartoon

A “cartoon“ has a contemporary definition and a historic definition. Of course, we’re all familiar with cartoons: Zits, Peanuts, Opus, etc. But historically artists have referred to the full scale drawing of a future fresco or tapestry as a cartoon. The purpose is to create a final composition of the future artwork, so the cartoon is an essential preliminary step in which composition, light, shadow, details of the final artwork is completed.In a fresco the cartoon is transferred to the plaster surface to provide a reference on the plaster itself.For a tapestry the cartoon is placed behind the canvas and used as a visual reference as the tapestry is worked from the front.

Camera obscuraCamera obscuraCamera obscuraCamera obscura

A darkened chamber in which the real image of an object is received through a small opening or lens and focused in natural color onto a facing surface rather than recorded on a film or plate.

CodexCodexCodexCodex

A quire of manuscript pages held together by stitching: the earliest form of book, replacing the scrolls and wax tablets of earlier times.

ChaliceChaliceChaliceChalice

A drinking A drinking cup or goblet.cup or goblet.

Bat & ChuckBat & ChuckBat & ChuckBat & Chuck

• BatBatA plaster disc used for A plaster disc used for throwing on the throwing on the wheel.wheel.

• ChuckChuckA shaped object for A shaped object for holding leather-hard holding leather-hard pots while they are pots while they are being turned. They being turned. They can be made in clay, can be made in clay, wood, metal or wood, metal or plaster.plaster.

Bat

Leatherhard, Greenware & BisquewareLeatherhard, Greenware & Bisqueware Leatherhard, Greenware & BisquewareLeatherhard, Greenware & Bisqueware

• Leatherhard clay is stiff, Leatherhard clay is stiff, damp clay that can be damp clay that can be turned , trimmed, cut turned , trimmed, cut and joined - it is still and joined - it is still moist but hard enough to moist but hard enough to handle without damagehandle without damage

• Greenware refers to clay Greenware refers to clay that is hard but has not that is hard but has not been bisque firedbeen bisque fired

• Clay that has been fired Clay that has been fired to a sufficient hardness, to a sufficient hardness, changing it from dried changing it from dried clay to a hard porous clay to a hard porous state prior to glazestate prior to glaze

BurnishingBurnishingBurnishingBurnishing

Smoothing and polishing a clay Smoothing and polishing a clay or slipped surface with a or slipped surface with a smooth hard object such as a smooth hard object such as a stone or the back of a spoon, to stone or the back of a spoon, to compact the clay so it forms a compact the clay so it forms a hard shell. hard shell.

CrawlingCrawlingCrawlingCrawling

Retraction of glaze during firing to Retraction of glaze during firing to expose the clay body, caused by a expose the clay body, caused by a reaction of two or more glazes fired reaction of two or more glazes fired over each other or glazing a pot over each other or glazing a pot which is dusty or greasywhich is dusty or greasy

CrazingCrazingCrazingCrazing

A fine line pattern A fine line pattern appearing on the appearing on the surface of a glaze surface of a glaze caused by tension caused by tension between a glaze and between a glaze and body (when these have body (when these have an uneven contraction an uneven contraction after firing)after firing)

EngobeEngobeEngobeEngobe

A slip mixture with parts of glaze A slip mixture with parts of glaze materials incorporated to use on materials incorporated to use on damp pots or on once-fired damp pots or on once-fired bisquewarebisqueware

GrogGrogGrogGrog

Ground fired clay or Ground fired clay or sand that varies from a sand that varies from a coarse grit to a flour-coarse grit to a flour-like texture, added to like texture, added to clay to provide openess clay to provide openess to the texture and to the texture and reduce shrinkage. It reduce shrinkage. It gives strength to gives strength to smooth clays and smooth clays and ‘tooth’ (slight ‘tooth’ (slight resistance) to creamy resistance) to creamy clay.clay.

Kiln furnitureKiln furnitureKiln furnitureKiln furniture

Refractory Refractory shelves and posts shelves and posts upon which upon which ceramic ware is ceramic ware is placed while placed while being fired in the being fired in the kilnkiln

Pug MillPug MillPug MillPug Mill

A mixing machine for clay, a large A mixing machine for clay, a large coil is extruded from which large coil is extruded from which large air bubbles have been extractedair bubbles have been extracted

Reduction firingReduction firingReduction firingReduction firing

To fire a kiln with To fire a kiln with incomplete incomplete combustion so combustion so that the lack of that the lack of oxygen creates a oxygen creates a smoky smoky atmosphere, thus atmosphere, thus changing the changing the color of clay, color of clay, glazes and glazes and oxides.oxides.

Scraffito decorationScraffito decorationScraffito decorationScraffito decoration

Scratching through a layer of slip, Scratching through a layer of slip, glaze or oxide to the layer below glaze or oxide to the layer below (can be used in reference to (can be used in reference to enameling as well)enameling as well)

Types of clayTypes of clayTypes of clayTypes of clay

• Terracotta = clay or an Terracotta = clay or an object made in a high object made in a high iron-content clay that is iron-content clay that is smooth and fired a rich smooth and fired a rich red brown.red brown.

• Stoneware = a hard Stoneware = a hard stone-like ceramic stone-like ceramic material formed when material formed when clay is fired to 2190 clay is fired to 2190 degrees F (1200 degrees degrees F (1200 degrees C) and overC) and over

• Porcelain = a hard, Porcelain = a hard, nonabsorbent clay body nonabsorbent clay body that is white and that is white and translucent, the bisque is translucent, the bisque is low-fired, and the glaze is low-fired, and the glaze is very high fired (hotter very high fired (hotter than stoneware)than stoneware)

Drafting toolsDrafting toolsDrafting toolsDrafting tools

• T-square, typically T-square, typically forms a 90 degree forms a 90 degree angle, made to fit angle, made to fit the drawing boardthe drawing board

• Triangle, used to Triangle, used to draw angles draw angles

• Compass, an Compass, an instrument to form a instrument to form a perfect circle or arcperfect circle or arc

More drafting stuff…More drafting stuff…More drafting stuff…More drafting stuff…

• Oblique, a three-dimensional Oblique, a three-dimensional drawing where the width of drawing where the width of the object will still be drawn the object will still be drawn as a horizontal line, but the as a horizontal line, but the depth can be drawn back at depth can be drawn back at any angle. any angle.

• Isometric, another 3D Isometric, another 3D drawing where the width and drawing where the width and depth of an object are shown depth of an object are shown at a 30 degree angle, while at a 30 degree angle, while the height is shown at a 90 the height is shown at a 90 degree angledegree angle

• Three view drafting, a set of Three view drafting, a set of two-dimensional drawings. two-dimensional drawings. The three views include the The three views include the front side, top side and one front side, top side and one of the sides (typically the of the sides (typically the right side)right side)

Rapidograph penRapidograph penRapidograph penRapidograph pen

Rapidograph technical pens have been Rapidograph technical pens have been around for a long time now. Even in an around for a long time now. Even in an age of digital imaging, these thin-age of digital imaging, these thin-pointed pens are still standard pointed pens are still standard equipment in many drafting studios. equipment in many drafting studios. They are basically fountain pens with They are basically fountain pens with an ink reservoir and a small, straight, an ink reservoir and a small, straight, unyielding tubular point, which can unyielding tubular point, which can range from about a millimeter at the range from about a millimeter at the largest, to superfine hair-thin lines.largest, to superfine hair-thin lines.

How to clean: there is definitely controversy over this How to clean: there is definitely controversy over this question. A former student taking the PLACE said you question. A former student taking the PLACE said you fill the ink cartridge with water and write with it to fill the ink cartridge with water and write with it to clean the point – however, online sources say you soak clean the point – however, online sources say you soak it in water. Apparently both answers are on the PLACE it in water. Apparently both answers are on the PLACE – you may want to do further research.– you may want to do further research.

Another disputed question…Another disputed question…Another disputed question…Another disputed question…

There is also a PLACE question that asks what tool to use to get a line of varying thickness. Online sources say NOT to use a Rapidograph pen. You need a drawing pen with a flat nib, sometimes referred to as an italic. The pen is turned to different angles, letting the flat side or the thin side of the nib connect with the paper – giving you a varied line width. Different nibs provide different points and line widths.

An oblique is exactly like an italic except that it’s cut on a slant.

Get a good night’s sleepGet a good night’s sleep

Read the questionRead the question

RelaxRelax

Good luck!Good luck!