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Art Terms |
For more information about the Grand Rapids Gallery Association, contact any member gallery or send an email to information@grga.org. |
Abstraction Non-figurative art: art in which the depiction of objects in nature is subordinated or entirely discarded. Aquatint A print produced by the same technique as an etching, except the areas between the etched lines are covered with a powdered resin that protects the surface. The results aim at approximating the effects and gray tonalities of a watercolor. Assemblage Technique of creating sculpture by combining various elements. Often constructed, it may include found objects and /or elements modeled or carved by the artist. Carving Subtractive process. Cutting of a shape, figure or design out of a solid material such as a block of stone or wood. Freestanding (In the round) Sculpture standing alone. Usually on a pedestal or base; sculpture not attached to background or wall. Lithograph This is a printing process. A small stone or metal plate is used. The printer, usually with the artist’s supervision, covers the plate with a sheet of paper which is then run through the printer. Monotype A one of a kind print made by painting on smooth metal, creating a texture that is not possible to paint directly on paper. Raku This method of firing results in irregular surfaces and colors. The pottery is removed when it is red hot. It is then placed in a bed of combustible materials and covered. Casting Additive process. 1. Reproducing a sculptural form by pouring liquid material such as plaster, metal or glass into a mold. 2. Cire perdue/Lost wax: used since ancient times; method of casting metal or glass in a mould, the cavity of which is formed with wax which is melted and displaced by the material. 3. Sand casting: a process of metal casting with foundry sand packed around a plater model or cast to form a mould or negative of the original sculpture. Certificate of Authenticity Certifies the authenticity of an individual piece in an edition and states the number in the edition. Collage is from the French meaning “paste up.” The combination of pieces of cloth, magazines and other found objects to create artwork. Edition A group of identical prints that can be numbered and signed by the artist. Open Edition An unlimited number of prints. Limited Edition Prints that have a known number of impressions, and are usually signed and numbered by the artist. Etching Reproducing a design by coating a metal plate with wax and drawing using a sharp tool called a stylus. The plate is placed in an acid bath which eats away at the incised lines. The wax is dissolved and the plate inked and finally printed on paper. Relief 1. Any work in which the figures project from a background. Reliefs are classified by the degree of projection. 2. High relief: relieve carved deeply enough to suggest parts are almost detached from the surrounding support. 3. Low relief: figures that project less than half of their true depth from the background. Serigraph Serigraphy (also referred to as ‘silkscreen’ or ‘screenprint’) is a color stencil printing process in which a special paint is forced through a fine screen onto the paper beneath. Areas which do not print are blocked with photosensitive emulsion that has been exposed with high-intensity arc lights. A squeegee is pulled from back to front producing a direct transfer of the image from screen to paper. A separate stencil is required for each color and one hundred colors or more may be necessary to achieve the desired effect. A serigraph differs from other graphics in that its color is made up of paint films rather than printing ink stains. An extremely versatile technique, it can create effects similar to oil color, transparent washes as well as goache and pastel. Silver Print This generic term covers all prints made on paper that is coated with silver salts. Black and white photographs are usually silver prints. Vintage A photograph printed within a few years of the negative being made. |