I am a cegep student in my second year of the Visual Arts program. I am in this program with the goal of going into the field of 3D animation afterwards. This glossary is for anyone interested in the subject I am studying. The program deepens my knowledge and refines my physical artistic skills. Visual Art is one of the many ways used to express yourself. One can portray
their emotions, political stances, beliefs, visions and much more. The glossary could help a person define and understand the subject better.
Brushwork
Noun
The manner in which a painter applies paint with a brush.
Example: With acrylic brushwork, the artist was able to embellish his painting.
fr: Coup de pinceau
Canvas
Noun
A closely woven, sturdy cloth of hemp, cotton, linen, or a similar fiber, frequently stretched over a frame and used as a surface for painting.
Example: The artist used the canvas as a support for her painting.
fr: Toile
Caricature
Noun
A rendering, usually a drawing, of a person or thing with exaggerated or distorted features, meant to satirize the subject
Example: My friend decided to do caricature today instead of realism.
fr: Caricature
Ceramics
Noun
Objects, such as pots and vases, made of clay hardened by heat.
Example: Today, in pottery class, we made ceramics.
fr: Céramique
Colour
Noun
The perceived hue of an object, produced by the manner in which it reflects or emits light into the eye. Also, a substance, such as a dye, pigment, or paint, that imparts a hue.
Example: The different colours of the rainbow are beautiful.
fr: Couleur
Composition
Noun
The arrangement of the individual elements within a work of art in order to form a unified whole.
Example: The composition of the painting includes all the subjects completely.
fr: Composition
Contrast
Noun
In photography, the range of light to dark areas in the composition.
Example: The photograph has a high contrast, in consequence there's a greater variability in tonality.
fr: Contraste
Drawing
Noun
A work of art made with a pencil, pen, crayon, charcoal, or other implements, often consisting of lines and marks.
Example: My friend made a quick drawing of me with charcoal.
fr: Dessin
Figure
Noun
A representation of a human or animal form in a work of art.
Example: My sister turned me into a figure in here drawing.
fr: Figure
Form
Noun
The shape or structure of an object.
Example: This sculpture represents the human form.
fr: Forme
Framing
Verb
The method by which information is included or excluded from a photograph, film, or video. A photographer or filmmaker frames an image when he or she points a camera at a subject.
Example: After being satisfied with his painting, the artist framed it.
fr: Encadrer
Gouache
Noun
A water-based matte paint, sometimes called opaque watercolor, composed of ground pigments and plant-based binders, such as gum Arabic or gum tragacanth.
Example: I decided to use gouache today instead of acrylic for my art piece.
fr: Gouache
Hue
Noun
A particular gradation of color; a shade or tint.
Example: The different hues of the sunrise are astonishing.
fr: Teinte
Juxtaposing
Verb
To place close together or side by side.
Example: Today, I decided to juxtapose unexpected combinations of colours and shapes.
fr: Juxtaposer
Landscape
Noun
The natural landforms of a region; also, an image that has natural scenery as its primary focus.
Example: The landscape at the beach was so beautiful that I took a picture of it.
fr: Paysage
Line
Noun
A long mark or stroke.
Example: I traced a line underneath all the important words.
fr: Ligne
Material
Noun
An element or substance out of which something can be made or composed.
Example: I gathered all the necessary material for my art project.
fr: Matériel
Model
Noun
A person who poses for an artist.
Example: A model came in today's class and we did quick sketches.
fr: Modèle
Mural
Noun
A large painting applied to a wall or ceiling, especially in a public space.
Example: Many artists make murals to remember historic events.
fr: Murale
Palette
Noun
A thin wooden or plastic board on which an artist holds and mixes paint.
Example: I put on my palette all the colours that I was gonna use for my painting.
