Chapter 1-7: Introduction to Drawing and Painting - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards drawn from lecture notes on drawing and painting techniques (chapters 1-7).

Continuous line drawing

A drawing method where the artist keeps the pen on the page and moves the eye along the edge of the model, recording what is seen without lifting the pencil.

Gesture drawing

A quick drawing aimed at capturing the subject's movement, energy, and essential form, often using lines of action.

Line of action

The main line describing the pose's angle and movement through the figure, used to organize the gesture.

Verdaccio

A monochrome underpainting used in fresco to establish a basic tonal value before adding color.

Arriccio

The rough layer of plaster applied to a wall before the fine intonaco layer in true fresco.

Intonaco

The thin, smooth final plaster layer applied after arriccio, onto which pigment is painted in fresco.

Giornata

Italian for 'a day's work' in fresco; the amount of plaster prepared and painted before it dries.

Cartoon

A full-scale preparatory drawing used to transfer a composition onto a surface by perforating holes and pouncing pigment through.

Fresco

Painting on damp lime plaster in which pigment is applied to a freshly prepared surface; requires working in sections (giornata).

Fresco secco

Painting on dry plaster rather than damp plaster; a later add-on to fresco technique.

Encaustic

Paint technique using pigment mixed with beeswax; ancient method that can be melted and reworked.

Tempera

Early liquid paint using pigment bound with egg yolk; known for being fast-drying and prone to cracking.

Oil paint

Pigment mixed with an oil binder (like linseed or walnut); slow-drying, capable of glazing and impasto for rich textures.

Glaze

A thin, translucent layer of color applied over a dried or partly dried layer to alter hue and depth.

Impasto

A thick, textured application of paint, creating visible brush or tool marks and tactile volume.

Gesso

Primer used to prepare a surface (canvas/wood) so paint will adhere properly.

Sizing

A protective layer (often liquid clay, wax, or glue) applied to surfaces to prevent absorption of paint.

Pigment

Ground color material (natural or synthetic) that provides the color in paint.

Binder

The sticky substance that holds pigment particles together in paint.

Vehicle

The liquid component that carries the pigment and binder, enabling application and affecting flow and transparency.