Art Glossary

A pigment is a material that changes the color of light by selectively absorbing certain wavelengths and reflecting others. Unlike phosphorescence or fluorescence, where materials emit light, (...) read more

A pigment print is a type of print that uses ink colored with pigment particles. Pigment ink is commonly used in inkjet printing because it is more durable and resistant to fading compared to (...) read more

Plaster is a mixture of heat-treated powdered gypsum combined with water to create a workable material. It can be used to make solid sculptures, cast in molds, carved, modeled, or attached to other (...) read more

Plastic is a material made from synthetic or organic compounds that can be molded into various shapes. It became a popular medium for artwork in the 20th century. Plastics can be cut, shaped, (...) read more

A plate is a broad, primarily flat vessel used for serving food, but it can also serve ceremonial or decorative purposes. Plates are typically circular, though they can be any shape and made from (...) read more

A Polaroid print is an instant photograph produced using a Polaroid camera, which develops the image immediately after exposure. The camera's internal processing allows the photograph to develop and (...) read more

Porcelain is a hard, durable material made from clay, primarily composed of the mineral kaolinite. It is fired at high temperatures, resulting in a fine, white, and often translucent finish. (...) read more

A portfolio is a collection of artworks or images assembled in a folder or digital format for storage or display. Artists often compile portfolios to showcase their work, either thematically related (...) read more

A print is an image or text reproduced using a template or master form. Prints are typically created by transferring ink from a prepared matrix to another material, often paper. Common matrices (...) read more

A print proof refers to any test impressions made from a printing plate or block to check the image quality before the final print is completed. These proofs are used as quality checks to ensure that (...) read more

Provenance refers to the chronology of ownership, location, or custody of an artwork. Tracing an object's provenance helps establish its authenticity and historical context by documenting its (...) read more

Recto and verso are terms used to describe the right and left pages of an open book, or the front and back of a sheet of paper. In both cases, recto refers to the right-hand page or the front of the (...) read more

Relief printing is a printmaking process where the design to be printed is etched or cut into a surface, leaving only the raised areas to transfer ink. The non-printing areas are removed, so only the (...) read more

A replica is a copy of an artwork that is so precisely made that it is nearly indistinguishable from the original. Artists may create replicas of their own work, or replicas can be produced for (...) read more

Resin can be derived from both natural sources, such as pine sap, and synthetic processes. Natural resin comes from tree sap, while synthetic resin is a type of dense, easily molded plastic. Resin is (...) read more

Sand consists of loose grains of material primarily made up of minerals like quartz, mica, and feldspar, as well as small fragments of rocks. Sand paintings are created by pouring colored sand into (...) read more

Screen printing is a technique where ink is transferred through a mesh onto a substrate, with areas blocked by a stencil to prevent ink from passing through. This method, also known as serigraphy or (...) read more

Serigraph is a printmaking process that uses silk screen techniques to create an image. The image is digitally separated into individual colors, each of which is assigned to a separate silk screen. (...) read more

Silkscreen is a printmaking method that uses a screen made of silk or other mesh fabric. The screen is treated with a substance that blocks ink in certain areas, allowing ink to pass through only in (...) read more

Stone is a hard, natural material found in the ground and used for various artistic purposes, such as carving statues, creating jewelry, and assembling mosaics. Artists and rock collectors often seek (...) read more

Tapestry is a heavy, handwoven textile featuring intricate designs or images woven directly into the fabric. Created by skilled weavers using materials like wool, linen, cotton, silk, and sometimes (...) read more

Tempera is a paint traditionally made by mixing colored pigments with egg yolk. It dries quickly and is highly durable, with some examples dating back to 100 AD still in existence. Modern tempera (...) read more

Textile refers to a flexible material made by weaving, felting, crocheting, knitting, or knotting long strands of natural or synthetic yarn or thread. Textile artists often create their own materials (...) read more

A triennial is a large-scale art exhibition that takes place every three years. These exhibitions often feature the latest artistic developments, works, and emerging artists on an international (...) read more