Art Terminology
A
Absorption of Light
Retention of light by the surface and conversion to heat, rather than reflection.
Abstract
A 20th century style of painting in which non-representational lines, colors, shapes, and forms replace accurate visual depiction of objects, landscape, and figures. The subject is often stylized, blurred, repeated or broken down into basic forms so that it becomes unrecognizable. Intangible subjects such as thoughts, emotions, and time are often expressed in abstract art form.
Additive Mixture
Mixing of colored illumination, including the blending of color in the eye rather than in pigments.
Acid
A chemical substance that has a pH of less than 7.0. Acids can react with photographs, paper memorabilia, metals, and scrapbook products shortening their life span, causing corrosion, discoloration, brittleness or a variety of other problems.
Acid Burn
Yellowish-brown lines that appear on artwork that was not framed using conservation materials. This causes the artwork to discolor and become brittle.
Acid-Free
Paper or canvas treated to neutralize its natural acidity in order to protect fine are: and photographic prints from discoloration and deterioration. These materials have a 7 pH or very close to 7 pH. Acid-free materials are more permanent and less likely to discolor over time. The term archival or conservation quality more accurately describes true acid-free conservation quality mat board.
Adhesive Transfer Tape
A double-sided tape used to stick mat boards and other materials together. Usually used with an applicator or "ATG gun.".
Aerial Perspective
See Atmosphere Perspective.
Aesthetics
Refers to the branch of philosophy that studies art and beauty.
Afterimage
A visual sensation that remains after an external stimulus has ended.
Albumen
Photographic print most popular from 1855 to 1890. Albumen positive prints are made on paper coated with frothy egg white and salt solution and sensitized with silver nitrate solution. The print is then finalized by exposure to sunlight through a negative.
Alkali, Alkaline or Base
A chemical substance that has a pH greater than 7.0. It can be added to materials containing acid to neutralize the acid or act as a reserve for the purpose of counteracting acids that it may come into contact with in the future.
Alkyd
Alla Prima, the Direct Method or "wet into wet" is an oil painting technique. The term "Alla Prima" is Italian for "at first attempt" which describes this face paced technique in which the work is completed before the first layer of paint has dried up or is still wet. This technique was used a lot during the Impressionist Movement where painter would paint a scene outside in one sitting because a painting could be finished in hours instead of weeks.
Alla Prima
Alla Prima, the Direct Method or "wet into wet" is an oil painting technique where the work is completed in one session. The term "Alla Prima" is Italian for "at first attempt" which is why it refers to this face paced technique in which the work is completed before the first layer of the painting has dried up or is still wet. This technique was opposite the traditional oil painting technique or Indirect Method where the artist has to wait for one layer of painting to dry before applying the next one, with the "alla prima" method, wet painting is applied over still wet painting. Impressionist loved to use this technique because they could paint outside and complete the painting in one sitting instead of weeks. The primary benefit of this is the speed at which the work can be finished: hours instead of weeks.
Alexander's Dark Band
The relatively darker region between the primary and secondary rainbows.
Ambient Light
A generalized and relatively directionless illumination that remains when the key light is removed.
Analogous Colors
Hues that are adjacent to each other along the outer edge of the color wheel.
Annular Highlights
Patterns of small specular highlights that form into concentric rings around a light source or a principal highlight.
Antisolar Point
The point in the sky or below the horizon that is 180 degrees from the sun.
Aperture
The hole in the lens that lets in light Measured in "f-stops" (i.e. f/5.6, f/22).
Aquatint
Printing technique capable of producing unlimited tonal gradations to re-create the broad flat tints of ink wash or watercolor drawings by etching microscopic crackles and pits into the image on a master plate, typically made of copper or zinc. The majority of Spanish artist Goya's (1746-1828) graphic works were done using this technique.
Archival
A term used to describe museum quality material (acid-free) that will protect your art for extended periods of time. Usually describes a framing procedure where all materials are completely acid free. Also referred to as conservation framing.
Artificial Light
Light not produced by natural sources, especially electric light.
Artist's Proof
Print intended for the artist's personal use. It is a common practice to reserve approximately ten percent of an edition as artist's proofs, although this figure can be higher. The artist's proof is sometimes referred to by its French name, epreuve d'artist (abbreviated E.A.). Artist's proofs can be distinguished by the abbreviation A.P. or E.A., commonly on the lower left corner of the work.
Atmosphere (or Aerial) Perspective
The change in appearance of objects as they are viewed at increasing distances through layers of illuminated air.
Atmospheric Triad
A color scheme based on a triangular gamut that does not include neutral grey.
Attached Shadow
See Form Shadow.
