Proper Explanation Of Artists Technical Terms!...
March 1, 2009
By Anna Meenaghan
What is Paper Mache? Basically, with this you get some newspaper and rip it up. Pummel it with water which leaves you with a soggy lump. At this stage it is ready for you to mould it into any shape that you like.
You have to get it to the wet stage before glue can be applied to it. Once you have managed to form the shape you might need, you proceed by leaving it to dry naturally. Once it has been dried you can apply a primer to this, a bit like you do with wood, before you actually paint it.
This is beneficial, as if you use this medium, it is light, so useful for creating so many things and is very strong.
Have you heard of Sugar Cane. Yes, this is a paper which is actually derived from the sugar cane plant. This too, is good for making Paper Mache, as it is very absorbent. You can also draw on this paper, it is fibrous, thick and comes in a variety of colours.
Gesso - This is a priming coat for canvas or other surfaces before you actually start to paint. It is a sort of glue. This normally consists of whiting, chalk, white pigment or plaster.
This will seal your canvas and the white gesso gives a reflective surface to paint on and hopefully keeps the canvas from rolling.
Impasto - With this, heavy layers of paint are transferred to the canvas, either by loading a paintbrush or by using a palette knife. Usually this will create a textured surface as you have bristle marks in the paint creating stroke impressions.
Pigment is the actual substance used to colour the paint or dye. Very finely ground down particles make up the paint medium. Many are made synthetically. Years ago they came from plants, animals and minerals.
Embossed - Pattern marks achieved on the surface. You can do it on metal with a hammer or the surface can actually be marked or stamped with the pattern.
Fixatives are a way of trying to preserve your painting. These can be sprayed or brushed on.
Positive and Negative Shapes - If you take the time to consider the shapes inside a painting or drawing, they fall into two categories, positive and negative. The positive shape will be the main parts or objects.
The negative shape will be what else surrounds it. Bear in mind for your drawing to work, both parts need equal attention.
Grid - A grid is something very useful to the artist for doing still life drawing. Usually a thick sheet of white card which you then draw squares on. By placing your objects in front of this, it will be helpful to decide where to draw your shadows and objects on the paper.
Acrylic Retarder will increase the open drying time. It can be mixed (10% maximum) with the paint. Works well for shading and blending, or even wet on wet painting and helps to combat a skin on your palette.
Acrylic Gloss Varnish - This fluid acrylic medium has the same resin as Acrylic Artist Colour. When it is mixed with the colours, it stretches them and increases their flow, transparency and luminosity. Thus making it easier for blending. It increases the flexibility of your brushstrokes and is perfect for quick drying glazes.
You have to get it to the wet stage before glue can be applied to it. Once you have managed to form the shape you might need, you proceed by leaving it to dry naturally. Once it has been dried you can apply a primer to this, a bit like you do with wood, before you actually paint it.
This is beneficial, as if you use this medium, it is light, so useful for creating so many things and is very strong.
Have you heard of Sugar Cane. Yes, this is a paper which is actually derived from the sugar cane plant. This too, is good for making Paper Mache, as it is very absorbent. You can also draw on this paper, it is fibrous, thick and comes in a variety of colours.
Gesso - This is a priming coat for canvas or other surfaces before you actually start to paint. It is a sort of glue. This normally consists of whiting, chalk, white pigment or plaster.
This will seal your canvas and the white gesso gives a reflective surface to paint on and hopefully keeps the canvas from rolling.
Impasto - With this, heavy layers of paint are transferred to the canvas, either by loading a paintbrush or by using a palette knife. Usually this will create a textured surface as you have bristle marks in the paint creating stroke impressions.
Pigment is the actual substance used to colour the paint or dye. Very finely ground down particles make up the paint medium. Many are made synthetically. Years ago they came from plants, animals and minerals.
Embossed - Pattern marks achieved on the surface. You can do it on metal with a hammer or the surface can actually be marked or stamped with the pattern.
Fixatives are a way of trying to preserve your painting. These can be sprayed or brushed on.
Positive and Negative Shapes - If you take the time to consider the shapes inside a painting or drawing, they fall into two categories, positive and negative. The positive shape will be the main parts or objects.
The negative shape will be what else surrounds it. Bear in mind for your drawing to work, both parts need equal attention.
Grid - A grid is something very useful to the artist for doing still life drawing. Usually a thick sheet of white card which you then draw squares on. By placing your objects in front of this, it will be helpful to decide where to draw your shadows and objects on the paper.
Acrylic Retarder will increase the open drying time. It can be mixed (10% maximum) with the paint. Works well for shading and blending, or even wet on wet painting and helps to combat a skin on your palette.
Acrylic Gloss Varnish - This fluid acrylic medium has the same resin as Acrylic Artist Colour. When it is mixed with the colours, it stretches them and increases their flow, transparency and luminosity. Thus making it easier for blending. It increases the flexibility of your brushstrokes and is perfect for quick drying glazes.
About the Author:
Searching for more great "How To" articles on art? The author, contemporary artist Anna Meenaghan, has a lot more on her online art community website. As a contemporary painter myself, I have discovered that they are of great help and not only to myself. So simply visit her site and see for yourself. Comment by Michael Bruckner.
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