LIBRARY

Art Words

An art glossary built around terms that appear in artwork descriptions on this site, growing little by little.

Index

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. 163 terms
Airbrush
A tool that atomises paint with compressed air, capable of extremely smooth gradients.
Expressionism
An early-20th-century movement that pictures the artist's subjective and psychological response rather than reproducing the subject.
Etching
An intaglio technique using acid to bite a coated plate; it allows for free, fluid line.
Edition
A limited issue of a print or photograph; each impression carries a sequential number.
Enamel
A vitreous, high-durability paint fired onto metal; from the 20th century, also adopted from industrial use into painting.
Ephemera
Tickets, fliers, pamphlets — short-lived printed material; vital primary sources in archival practice.
Engraving
An intaglio technique that incises lines directly into a metal plate with a burin; known for sharp, even strokes.