A 1960's art movement and style that attempts to use a minimal number of textures, colors, shapes and lines to create simple three-dimensional structures. Also known as minimalism.

A 20th century style of painting in which nonrepresentational lines, colours, shapes, and forms replace accurate visual depiction of objects, landscape, and figures. The subjects often stylized, blurred, repeated or broken down into basic forms so that it becomes un recognizable. Intangible subjects such as thoughts, emotions, and time are often expressed in abstract art form. Early Abstract artists include French artist Robert Delaunay (1885-1941) and Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944).

Movement in American painting that began in the 1940's and became a dominant trend in the 1950's. It combines Action Painting, which emphasizes spontaneous paint application, and Color Field Painting, which emphasizes large unbroken fields of colour. Prominent Abstract Expressionist artists of the era include American artist Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) and Dutch artist Willem de Kooning (1904-1997).

Art that conforms to traditional standards or the standards of a particular academy or school.

Papers that are without acid in the pulp. Acidity in paper can cause the molecular structure of the paper to break down, discolor and weaken. Acid free papers have a pH of 7.0. If prepared properly, papers made from any fiber can be acid free.

white, gray and black colors as opposed to the chromatic colors.

synthetic painting colors made by distributing pigments in a vehicle made of a polymethyl methacrylate solution in mineral spirits. Often called plastic paints to distinguish them from polymer colors that also contain acrylic. First used in the 1940's, they are valued for their versatility.

Spontaneous method of painting involving the dribbling or splashing of paint onto canvas surfaces. Rather than use the typical easel, American artist Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) was well-known for his method of laying the canvas on the floor of his studio and splattering paint directly onto the canvas from above.

The apparent tendency of the warm colors such as oranges and reds to appear to advance toward the viewer and the cool colors of blue and violet to recede. This is derived from the observable phenomenon that an object seen from afar will seem more blue or gray than it truly is. Advancing and retreating colors are used to portray landscapes.

The attempt to portray the atmospheric haze that shows depth in nature. Aerial perspective is used to add the illusion of depth in painting. The use of retreating colors and less focus helps to achieve this effect.

The idea that the pursuit of beauty is the primary goal of art and that art need not reflect any moral, social or religious concerns. Also known as "art for art's sake".

The method of oil painting in which the desired effects of the final painting are achieved in the first application of paint as opposed the technique of covering the canvas in layers with the final painting being achieved at the end.

A form of cracking that appears on paintings in a pattern that resembles an alligator's hide.

A method of painting in which the entire canvas is covered in a fairly uniform manner rather than the traditional method of painting the canvas in a way that delineates the top, bottom and middle of the painting. First devised by the American artist Jackson Pollock.

A style of representational, naturalistic painting in the U.S. from the 1920's and into the 1940's that depicted scenes of typical American life in an attempt to move away from modernism.

Particularly popular in the 18th century, an image that is painted in a way that makes it appear distorted unless viewed from a specific viewpoint or an optical device.

Dating from a time before the 5th century.

A printing paper with a rough finish but good printing surface, valued in book printing for its high volume characteristics.

Art using groupings of humans, animal or flowers in a grotesque way.

art used in the design or decoration of useful objects. Applied art is secondary to the function of the object itself as opposed to fine art where the primary function is aesthetic.

a technique or work derived from the technique of using transparent watercolours in painting.

Intricate decorative ornamentation of interlacing lines, fruits, floral and animal symbols loosely based on Arabic styles.

pertaining to a relatively simple period in the development of a particular region's art.

This fine art archival 100% acid free paper is produced by Arjomari Paper Group, which has continued the centuries old tradition of mould made papermaking in France. Arches paper is currently one of the most popular fine art watercolour papers used in Giclée printmaking for its durability and quality. Its "cold press" textured surface and warm white color creates a stunning transfer of acrylic Paintings.

Inks used in fine art reproduction that have been optimized for permanence.

A paper with long-standing qualities, acid free, lignin free, usually with good color retention.

Images are archived, often on CD-ROM, for a specified period. Information necessary to reproduce the print is also archived, including ink, tables, sizes, and media used.

Printing technique capable of producing unlimited tonal gradations to re-create the broad flat tints of ink wash or watercolor drawings by etching microscopic cracks and pits into the image on a master plate, typically made of copper or zinc. Spanish artist Goya used this technique.

Popular in the U.S. and Europe in the 1920's and 1930's, a style of design and decoration with designs that are geometric and use highly intense colors, to reflect the rise of commerce, industry and mass production.

The idea that art is valued purely for its aesthetic value and not for any religious or moral value.

French for "new art". A painting, printmaking, decorative design, and architectural style developed in England in the 1880s. Art Nouveau, primarily an ornamental style, was not only a protest against the sterile Realism, but against the whole drift toward industrialization and mechanization and the unnatural artifacts they produced. The style is characterized by the usage of sinuous, graceful, cursive lines, interlaced patterns, flowers, plants, insects and other motifs inspired by nature. Henri Toulouse-Latrec and Gustav Klimt were among those greatly influenced by the movement.

A precise reproduction of an artist's Original Painting, which has captured the stunning and vibrant colors of the Original Artwork.

Print intended for the artist's personal use. It is common practice to reserve approximately ten percent of an edition as artist's proofs, although this figure can be higher. The artist's proof is sometimes referred to by it's French épreuve d'artist (abbreviation E.A.). Artist's proofs can be distinguished by the abbreviation AP or E.A., commonly on the lower left of the work.

the depiction in a work of art of two sides as being not identical without impairing the general harmony of the work. Asymmetry is used to prevent a work from appearing static and superficial, as no two sides of a life form are identical.

An artist's studio or workshop.

Any object or article used to symbolize the profession of the person being represented, such as a caduceus for a doctor.

French term for "vanguard", a term that describes artists and their art that stand at the beginning of a movement that often does not conform to the traditional or previously accepted ideas or standards.

the part of a picture or scene that appears to be the farthest from the viewer, typically nearest the horizon.

the name of a group of French landscape painters in the French village of Barbizon during the period about 1830 to 1880 who were the first to paint landscapes from nature rather than from memory in a studio. The approach led to realism.

A dynamic and dramatic style of art and architecture in mostly Catholic countries during the 17th century that stressed emotion, variety and movement. It was a style that used ornate forms as well as illusionism and realism to achieve its purpose.

An Indonesian method of printing textile. A design is made on the fabric by coating it with wax to repel dye. The cloth is then dipped in dye after which the wax is removed so the design appears in the original color of the cloth. Often, this process is repeated for a number of colors to complete the desired design.

A German school of art and architecture that tried to meld the techniques and materials of industrial mass production (including glass, concrete, steel and chrome) and the aesthetics of design. Founded by Walter Gropius in 1919, it was closed by Hitler in 1933 with many of its practitioners and teachers relocating to the United States.

Seeing from a high enough view or altitude as to give a comprehensive view of a scene; also known as aerial view.

Printing using an uninked plate to produce the subtle embossed texture of a white-on-white image, highlighted by the shadow of the relief image on the uninked paper. This technique is used in many Japanese prints.

Used as a surface for art, often refers to a piece of wood lumber or a durable sheet of another material such as cardboard.

A style of art where the artist uses his or her own body as the medium for expression often shown in private or public performances. Examples include tattooing, piercing, scarification, henna painting and branding.

French for "box", the collection of an artist's work to be viewed by clients.

The proof accepted by the artist that is used as the standard for comparing all subsequent prints. Some printers require a signed BAT before production printing can begin.

A term used to describe bright and excited brushwork.

The tool used to apply paint to a surface, often consisting of a gathering of bristles held together by a ferrule attached to a handle. The bristles may come from hairs of a variety of animals including boar, squirrel and badger as well as synthetic. Red sable hairs are often considered the finest. Different shapes are desirable for different paint types and techniques.

The characteristic way each artist brushes paint onto a medium, such as canvas.

The neutralizing of acids in paper by adding an alkaline substance (usually calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate) into the paper pulp. The buffer acts as a protection from the acid in the paper or from pollution in the environment.

the art and architecture of the Eastern Roman Empire from about AD 330 to 1450. The style itself is mostly religious. Pieces are characterized by a strong use of colors and figures. The figures seem to be flat with prominent eyes and backgrounds that are golden in tone. Most works of the period tend to be clear and simple, probably for an effective presentation of the intended religious lesson.

A substitute for a signature on a work of art that is original and creative yet simple.

the art of handwriting where the writing has been done in an ornamental way.

a painting or decoration technique done in numerous shades of the same single color disregarding the actual color of the content.

Final print made once an edition series has been finished to show that the plate has been marred/mutilated by the artist, and will never be used again to make more prints of the edition.

The support used for an acrylic or oil painting that is typically made of linen or cotton, stretched very tightly and tacked onto a wooden frame. Linen is considered far superior to the heavy cotton for a canvas.

A reproduction in which an image is printed directly onto canvas using the Giclée Printmaking method.

Art reproduction on canvas which is created by a process such as serigraphy, photomechanical or giclée printing. Some processes can even recreate the texture, brush strokes and aged appearance of the original work.

A picture where the subject is depicted in a satirizing way that exaggerates its distinctive characteristics in a comical or grotesque way. Often used as a commentary on political or social matters.

An often humorous or satirical drawing to evoke emotions, usually with a caption. A cartoon is typically a simple-lined drawing and tells a story or continues a story; it can consist of one or more pictures or frames.

The chief constituent of the cell walls of all plants. All plants contain tissue that, when properly processed, will yield cellulose. Cotton in its raw state contains about 91% and is the purest form of natural cellulose. Other sources for papermaking include hemp (77%), softwoods & hardwoods (57% to 65%), and kozo (66% to 77%).

A statement of authenticity of a limited edition print that states the title of the work, the print's number within the edition, the number of artist's proofs and the release date. It guarantees that the edition is limited and that the image will not be published again in the same form. Each Giclée Print that we offer comes with this Certificate.

The painting or drawing of forms where depth and space are illustrated contrasting light and shade.

The degree of a color's brilliance.

Any color that is not white, black or gray.

Typically referring to what are considered characteristics of classical art that include simplicity, harmony, proportional representation and emotional restraint.

A coating provides protection from UV-induced fading and some protection from smudging and fingerprints. It does not materially improve the permanence of the print because most fading is due to visible light. On some material as an example canvas coating can render the print water-resistant allowing the print to be framed without glass.

A paper surface with slight texture produced by pressing the finished sheet between cold cylinders.

Introduced by the Cubists, the technique of creating a work of art by adhering flat articles such as paper, fabrics, string or other materials to a flat surface such as a canvas whereby a three-dimensional result is achieved.

Printing technique in which proofs are pulled from a block on which the artwork or design is built up like a collage, creating relief.

Paintings with unbroken areas of color, covering the entire area of the canvas. The paintings are usually large and are meant to be viewed up close, so that the viewer is absorbed in the expanse of color. Mark Rothko (1903-1970) was an American painter who used this method of painting.

An advanced technology that uses profiles of the input and output devices to maximize color accuracy. Targets that include over 3000 colors are printed and measured with a colorimeter to create profiles for the various ink/media combinations.

A set of identical prints in different color schemes.

A radial diagram of colors where primary colors (red, blue or yellow) are on one side and secondary (made by mixing two primary colors) colors appear on the other. A color wheel is used to identify, mix and select colors.

A color that is directly opposite another on the color wheel, such as yellow and purple, blue and orange, red and green. When mixed together, two complementary colors yield a brown or gray color.

Colors in which blue is predominant including blue and blue-green. Cool colors are associated with water, sky and foliage and appear to recede from the viewer.

a modern art movement beginning in Russia that aimed to create abstract sculpture for an industrialized society. The movement utilized technology and building materials such as glass, plastic, steel and chrome. Vladimir Tatlin was the first artist to develop such art.

The subject matter of a work of art and its values apart from the artist's ability. Form and content are the two elements that comprise a work.

Refers generally to the process of copying original artwork for purposes of reproduction. See definitions for Digital Photograph and Transparency, Museum Quality.

A canvas made from cotton. Though considered to be less desirable than linen, it is also less expensive.

Fibers that adhere to cottonseed after ginning. Used as raw material to produce pulp for cotton fiber content papers.

The artist's technical skill or ability beyond the aesthetic value of a work. Also, manual activities done by artisans as opposed to those practiced by artists of fine art.

An art style developed in 1908 by Picasso and Braque whereby the artist breaks down the natural forms of the subjects into geometric shapes and creates a new kind of pictorial space. In contrast to traditional painting styles where the perspective of subjects is fixed and complete, cubist work can portray the subject from multiple perspectives.

An art style founded by Hans Arp in Zurich after WW1 which challenged the established canons of art, thoughts and morality etc. Disgusted with the war and society in general, Dadaist expressed their feelings by creating "non-art." The term Dada, nonsense or baby-talk term, symbolizes the loss of meaning in the European culture. Dada art is difficult to interpret since there is no common foundation. Marcel Duchamp's photograph of the Mona Lisa with a mustache is one example of the Dada movement's creations.

The feathery edge which is the result of the natural run-off of wet pulp when making handmade and mould made paper, or the result of sheets being torn when wet. The edge is simulated in machine made papers by cutting them with a stream of water when still wet.

Artwork intended for ornamentation purposes. Differing from fine art, decorative art is intended to have a purpose as interior decoration. Some examples of decorative art include furniture, ceramics, glass and jewelry.

A color that has a high degree of saturation and low lightness. Deep colors typically have little white mixed in them.

The plan or arrangement of elements in a work of art. The ideal is one where the assembled elements result in a unity or harmony.

The property of a substance to show two different effects under different viewing circumstances. For example, some colors appear different when applied using horizontal strokes than when applied using vertical strokes.

A fine art print made by any digital process.

A painting done on two separate canvases or panels hinged together.

Changing the way an object looks, exaggerating a shape's normal image by stretching or changing to make it more interesting or to emphasize the image or express the artist's feelings.

A measure of the detail of a print. "Apparent dpi" refers to the fact that the eye perceives a Giclée as having greater detail than in does in physical reality.

A painted figure or object that is identifiable as two separate objects. For example, a cloud that resembles a cherub.

a dull finish, hard-textured paper for drawing that features good ability for erasing and water resistance.

Printing technique of intaglio engraving in which a hard, steel needle incises lines on a metal plate, creating a burr that yields a characteristically soft and velvety line in the final print.

Painting pigments that are made from naturally occurring materials from the earth.

A frame, usually made of wood, which is used by the artist to hold the canvas upright, or to exhibit the piece of artwork.

The total number printed of one particular image. The signed and numbered prints are recorded separately from the artist's proofs.

Printing technique in which an intaglio image is produced by cutting a metal plate or box directly with a sharp engraving tool. The incised lines are inked and printed with heavy pressure.

French phrase referring to the period in the 1700's when French landscape painters began painting outdoors in the fresh air. The term is used widely today to describe the art of painting natural objects in the open air, on-site, in order to quickly capture natural light and color.

Printing technique in which a metal plate is first covered with an acid-resistant material, then worked with an etching needle to create an intaglio image. The exposed metal is eaten away in an acid bath, creating depressed lines that are later inked for printing.

an art method of borrowing and combining styles from multiple art movements, schools, styles or other artists into one work of art.

Many art and watercolor papers have a raised in relief logo or identifying name pressed into one corner of the parent sheet.

Feeling of concern and understanding for another's situation or feelings. Also, an emotional feeling of identification or understanding of a work of art.

A state of balance between opposing forces or elements.

Art from the northwestern Italian area of Etruria, now Tuscany, before the advent of Rome. The art is notable for its urns, sculptures and ceramics.

An art movement of the early 20th century in which traditional adherence to realism and proportion was replaced by the artist's emotional connection to the subject. These paintings are often abstract, the subject matter distorted in color and form to emphasize and express the intense emotion of the artist.

Art that represents a human, animal or object's form by means of a symbol or figure.

Usually referring to a representation of the human body though sometimes also that of an animal or other thing.

Art that is created for its own aesthetic purpose rather than for a practical, utility purpose. "Art for art's sake." Designed or decorated with foliage or leaf patterns.

Handicrafts and ornamental works produced by people with no formal art training but trained in traditional techniques often handed down through generations and of a specific region.

The area of a picture that appears to be closest to the observer, often depicted at the bottom.

The total product of all the aspects of a work of art and how they come together to become one singular unique work.

Strict observance of the established rules, traditions and methods employed in the arts. Formalism can also refer to the theory of art that relies heavily on the organization of forms in a work rather than on the content.

Of a portrait that depicts the entire body figure of the subject.

From time to time, new inks are released to the marketplace that offer improved longevity, a larger color space, or both. A printer may switch production to new inks if the improvements are material and have been certified by a independent laboratory. Prints created from files that were imaged using older inks will look different when printed with new inks. The future ink test print gives you an opportunity to evaluate the effect of new inks on the print.

Painting that represents a phase or aspect of common everyday life and people.

A printmaking process usually on an IRIS inkjet printer to make reproductions of a photograph of a painting; the printer can produce a very wide range of colors resulting in prints that are of very high quality.

The style of Western European (especially from France and England) art from the 12th to 15th centuries, which greatly influenced architecture, sculpture and painting.

The technique or product where heavy, opaque watercolor is applied to paper and produces a more brilliant and strong-colored result than usual watercolors.

A smooth progression of shades or tints from light to dark, from one color to another or of objects from small to large.

Direction of fibers in a sheet of paper. Long grain describes fibers running parallel to the longest side of a sheet. Short grain running parallel to the short side.

The gram weight of a hypothetical square meter of a particular type of paper, a good comparative measure because it does not vary with sheet size, sometimes abbreviated as just "gsm" or "g/sm."

A type of painting where figures of great importance are painted in a way that elevates them above the everyday and common. Other elements in the painting are reduced by means of simplifying or eliminating, shifting the focus to the significance of the primary subject.

A style of painting or other art that either greatly distorts or where fantastic animal forms and human figures are combined with leaves, flowers and other objects in an ornamental way.

Originating in the Middle Ages, an association of skilled craftsmen practicing a particular craft.

A shade of a color whose value is between the darkest and lightest tones of a colour; also, in printmaking, the use of a pattern of dots of varying sizes and distances apart to depict varying shades.

Paper made by hand using a mould (a frame covered with a flat, rigid screen or flexible screen). In both cases the mould is covered by a flat frame called a deckle, to contain the run-off of wet pulp, dipped into a vat of wet pulp, shaken to distribute the fibers evenly and drained of its excess water. The wet mat of fibers remaining in the newly formed sheet is then dried against blankets & may be hot pressed, cold pressed, or air-dried.

The art from the Greek culture from 1100 B.C. to 100 B.C.

Used by the ancient Egyptians, a system of writing, which used symbols (hieroglyphs) rather than letters or words.

A very pure form of wood pulp, which is considered to have the same longevity as cotton or other plant fibers.

Professional scan at an output resolution of 150 dpi or 300 dpi using color tables optimized for archival inks on fine art media. The 300 dpi file size for a 16" x 20" print is about 109 megabytes.

Painting of scenes from the past.

In a painting, a level line where land or water ends and the sky begins. Vanishing points, where two parallel lines appear to converge, are typically located on this line. A horizon line is used to attain the perspective of depth.

Print identical to the edition print intended to be used as samples to show to dealers and galleries. Hors d'Commerce (abbreviated to H.C.) proofs may or may not be signed by the artist.

A paper surface that is smooth, produced by pressing a finished sheet through hot cylinders.

Fine art papers that are stocked by a printer.

The common name of any color as found in the rainbow or a spectrum or that characteristic of any color, such as a brown tending toward red.

The styles or techniques that are characteristic to a particular artist or period, movement or medium.

In a work of art, the creation of a deception image of reality by using certain techniques including perspective.

Actual dimensions of a printed image. This refers only to the image itself and not to the size of the paper it is printed on.

The thick application of paint on canvas in heavy layers or strokes, as in certain painting techniques.

Referred to as the most important art movement of the 19th century, impressionism is still widely practiced today, and influenced many successive art movements. The term impressionism emerged in the 1860's and came from a painting by Claude Monet (1840-1926) entitled Impression Sunrise. The term became widely used to describe the painting methods used by artists of this time period, including French painters Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) and Paul Cezanne (1839-1906). Impressionists usually worked quickly in open air, and were very concerned with capturing light, color and surface.

In the United States, the common name for liquid black drawing ink made from carbon.

The process of incising a design beneath the surface of a metal or stone. Plates are inked only in the etched depressions on the plates and then the plate surface is wiped clean. The ink is then transferred onto the paper through an etching press. The reverse of this process is known as relief printing.

The color effect on a surface that shows a lustrous, rainbow sort of brilliance. Examples of iridescence include a soap bubble or oil on water.

Paper distributed by Iris for use on their ink jet printers. These include glossy, semi-matte, and matte papers, which are used for commercial proofing. Also available are some fine art papers such as Arches for Iris, a paper manufactured by Arches specifically for use on Iris printers.

Prints created on the Iris Ink Jet Printer.

Art that is produced in the cultural and religious tradition of those who subscribe to the tenets of Islam. Calligraphy is one of the most highly prized forms of art in the Muslim world with it being used to decorate architecture, furniture and clothing. Animal figures can be found in much Islamic art and mosaic art has been an area of much accomplishment. Figures are largely absent from Islamic art and, possibly due to little story telling in the Koran (Islam's holy book), there is not much opportunity to depict parables in art. Islamic art covers the people of a large area with much cultural diversity thus making it difficult to summarize the breadth of the art.

The influence of Japanese art and culture on Western art.

the range of color values and tone quality in a work of painting. A low-key painting has mostly darker colors while one in a high key is dominated by brighter and lighter colors.

art that is considered to be overly sentimental, pretentious design. Work that is kitschy is usually mass-produced and met with critical disfavor. Interestingly, what is kitsch in one time period becomes art in another, an example being the work of Norman Rockwell.

Papers with a "grid" pattern in the sheet, resulting from the pulp resting against wires on the papermaking mould screen. "Laid" lines are closely spaced while "chain" lines are farther apart & run parallel with the grain direction of the sheet, important when folding papers, especially to bookbinders.

Documents describing the precise layout of a print or prints on a sheet of paper. The layout indicates both the exact size of the prints and the amount of white space around each print. For example, a layout might describe the exact position of a 30" x 40" print on a full 35" x 46.75" sheet or the position of four different 16" x 20" prints on the same sheet, which allows for about .75" of white space.

Painting or artwork depicting an expanse of natural scenery that can be seen in a single view. The movement toward a landscape being primary in a painting, rather than the background, began in the 17th century.

Technically, the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, which can be seen by the human eye; also, the source of light or its use in painting such as the illumination of a subject or an aspect of a piece of work for emphasis.

A component of the cell walls of plants that occurs naturally, along with cellulose. Lignin is largely responsible for the strength and rigidity of plants, but its presence in paper is believed to contribute to chemical degradation. To a large extent, Lignin can be removed during manufacturing.

A limited edition print is one in which a limit is placed on the number of prints produced in a particular edition, in order to create a scarcity of the print. Limited editions are signed and numbered by the artist. Once the prints in the edition have been sold out, the digital file is then destroyed by the Giclée Printmaker in order to maintain the integrity of the limited edition. The image will not be published again in the same form.

Having or telling a story in painting, drawing or sculpting

Printing technique using a planographic process in which prints are pulled on a special press from a flat stone or metal surface that has been chemically sensitized so that ink sticks only to the design areas and is repelled by the non-image areas. Lithography was invented in 1798 in Germany by Alois Senefelder.

The American art style in the 1850's to 1870's which used light or lighting effects as a major characteristic; also, the school of painting that focuses on the expression of the effects of light whether as the above American art style or the French Impressionists.

Paper made on a very rapid running machine called a "Fourdrinier", producing consistent quantities of sheets or rolls.

An American art movement that began in 1943 to the 1950's which blends precise and detailed realistic images with the imaginary and fantastic. The art style had its early influences from the Surrealism movement.

Describes the genre of Latin American literature during the 1960's, in which magical themes were combined with realistic subject matter.

Traditionally used in Hinduism and Buddhism, one of several geometric radial designs and mystical symbols that are to aid meditation.

In a work of art, the space that is occupied by an element that is significant to the design.

Also known as old master, an artist who is a leader or teacher of a school, period, or movement.

The materials to be printed, such as watercolor papers, canvas, copper, wood veneer, cotton, plastic.

The area or subject in which an artist is most qualified, most accomplished or most comfortable.

(mezzo = half + tinta = tone), a reverse engraving process used on a copper or steel plate to produce illustrations in relief with effects of light and shadow. The surface of a master plate is roughened with a tool called a rocker so that if inked, it will print solid black. The areas to be white or gray in the print are rubbed down so as not to take ink. It was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries to reproduce portraits and other paintings, but became obsolete with the introduction of photo-engraving.

In a painting or picture, the middle part of the composition between the foreground and the background.

A work of art where they represented object is created on a much-reduced scale.

Also known as minimalism, a movement and style of art from the 20th century which attempts to reduce art to the basic geometric shapes with the fewest colors, lines, and textures. Minimal art does not seek to be representational of any object. Also known as ABC art.

The art technique where the artist employs two or more media such as painting, charcoal, collage, etc. and combines them in a single work.

Literally one color, painting or decoration done in different shades of the same color.

One-of-a-kind print conceived by the artist and printed by or under the artist's supervision.

One-of-a-kind print made by painting on a sheet of metal or glass and transferring the still-wet painting onto a sheet of paper by hand or with an etching press. If enough paint remains on the master plate, additional prints can be made, however, the reprint will have substantial variations from the original image. Monotype printing is not a multiple-replica process since each print is unique.

An artwork comprising of portions of various existing images such as from photographs or prints and arranged so that they join, overlap or blend to create a new image.

Paper made by a slowly rotating machine called a cylinder mould that simulates the hand-papermaking process. Fibers become more randomly intertwined than in machine made papers, producing a stronger, more flexible sheet or roll.

A very old decorative art, the art technique of setting small pieces (tesserae) of tile, glass, stone in a base of plaster or concrete. Often very intricate and detailed, mosaic is usually used on walls, ceilings and floors.

A design that is the predominant theme or a distinctive repeated pattern, design or shape in a work of art.

the system of specifying colors developed by Albert Munsell in 1915; the system is based on three characteristics of color discernible to the human eye: hue, value, and chroma.

Usually referring to art by artists who have no formal art education or training, a style of painting that is often simple with bright colors, unrepresentative perspective and childlike subject matter.

Having a story or idea.

Artwork created by the indigenous peoples of North America, including but not limited to painting and drawings on paper as well as stone surfaces, weaving, jewelry and pottery.

Art that is reflective of the Classical period of art, that is, the art of ancient Rome or Greece.

A movement in painting as a reaction to Impressionism; originated by Georges-Pierre Seurat in the late 19th century, the movement used the technique of pointillism which uses dots or points of color which the brain automatically blends upon viewing it.

The circle of radiant light around the head of a religious figure used to indicate holiness. In art, it was often placed around the heads of kings as well to indicate reverence.

Art in which the subject matter is represented as a recognizable object as opposed to abstract art.

Art that is produced by the native inhabitants of the South Pacific islands of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. It includes skin tattoos, stone carvings and tortoise-shell carvings.

A special photo-mechanical technique in which the image to be printed is transferred to the negative plates and printed onto paper. Offset lithography is very well adapted to color printing.

Developed over time during the 15th and 16th centuries, the technique or result of using paints made from pigments mixed with oil on a canvas. Oil paint allowed for more demanding uses than the drier, less useful egg tempera type of paint.

The trait of a white surface having iridescence and resembles the colors in an opal.

From the early 1960's, an abstract style of art. This style is unique in its attempt to show movement on the surface by using optical illusion.

The characteristic of not being able to be seen through or not allowing light to show through.

A work that is a new creation by an artist as opposed to that which is copied or reproduced in another work.

A piece of art that is of a mostly long horizontal shape and is suited to hang in the space over a mantelpiece.

The final layer of paint that is applied over the under painting or under layer after it has dried. The idea behind layers of painting is that the under painting is used to define the basic shapes and design so that the over painting can be used to fill in the details of the piece.

In painting, sculpture or architecture, the use of masses of color to show as opposed to linear painting which uses contours and edges to define its forms. The forms are thus more amorphous and the eye can interpret more movement.

In art, the creation by an artist of a piece with aesthetic value using the application of paint to a surface.

The beauty of the surface of a painting especially as to how skillfully the paint is handled and used to create.

A thin board of wood, plastic, metal, paper or other material with a hole for the thumb to hold while painting where the artist holds and mixes the paints he or she is using while painting.

From Greek meaning "all view", the wide-open view of the complete surrounding area.

A predecessor of modern paper used in ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome, made from parts of the Mediterranean sedge plant.

A predecessor of modern paper, a type of writing material derived from the skins of calves or sheep.

The original sheet size that comes off the mould machine, from which can be cut smaller sheet sizes. Most watercolor and art papers have a 22x30" parent sheet size.

Part of a work of art that is not its main theme such as a person that is a secondary subject to a landscape. Also, artwork created by a person who works primarily at another job such as someone who paints on the weekend but works at a main job during the week.

A crayon made from pigment mixed with gum and water and pressed into a stick-shaped form. A work of art created from these crayons is also called a pastel. Pastel can also indicate a pale color.

A work of art that is clearly derived from multiple styles; sometimes used to parody other artists or styles.

Also referred to as design, the repetitive use of any form, object or color in a work. Patterns can be waves or circles, for example.

The art technique used to give an illusion of three-dimensional nature on a two-dimensional surface, mostly by giving the illusion of depth. One example is that objects further in the distance appear smaller and higher in the picture.

In chemistry, pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, which is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 and each number indicates a ten-fold increase. Seven is pH neutral: numbers below 7 indicate increasing acidity, with 1 being the most acid. Numbers above 7 indicate increased alkalinity with 14 being the most alkaline. Paper with a pH below 5 is considered highly acidic. Buffered papers typically have a pH between 8.5 and 9.5.

A Kodak process for scanning transparencies and storing them on CD in a format known as Photo CD. Acceptable results can be achieved from Photo-CDs, but the professional version is required to create large enough files. The maximum file size is about 70 megabytes, which limits high quality reproduction to about 700 square inches.

An art composition created by arranging multiple photographs into one; often, uses photographs that hold elements or represent a single theme that the artist is trying to express.

Common in 19th century Europe and America, a style of representational landscape painting which focuses on unusual designs and rustic or quaint features.

The process to print impressions from a smooth surface rather than creating incised or relief areas on the plate. The term was devised to describe lithography.

A single layer of paper. A term used when several sheets of paper are laminated together to form a board.

An area of French impressionism where color is broken up into dots or points. These points compose forms that are visible to the viewer only from a distance where the eye blends the points to create such forms or objects.

A painting done in more than three sections or panels that may be hinged together.

A term used to describe a work of art that is common and pretentious.

Developed in New York in the 1960's, a style of art that derives from mass popular culture including consumer products and cartoon characters. Some leading artists of the style include Richard Hamilton, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.

A portable case for carrying the art or images of an artist; also, the collection of works that an artist has created and is offering for sale or to show as a representation of the artist's style and skills.

A representation of a person or group or animal on a two-dimensional medium that typically also shows some aspect symbolic of the subject.

In reaction to the Impressionists, this style focused on the emotional content, structure and form of artistic subjects rather than on the importance of natural, fading light. The movement had its beginnings in the 1880's to 1900 in France. Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) and French artist Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) were classic painters of this period.

As a reaction to the Impressionists, this style focused on the emotional content, structure and form of their subjects and eliminated the strong focus on lighting in their works. Examples of artists of this movement include Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin.

Art created during the first known period of human culture about two million years ago. The period is broken into three major periods: Old, Middle and New Stone Ages. The old is dominated by the use of stone tools, carvings and paintings while the Middle is characterized by pottery and the New by pottery, spinning and weaving. The three periods illustrate the evolution of a previously nomadic group to urban civilizations who domesticated animals and plants.

The three colors of red, blue and yellow from which all colors can be derived with the addition of black and white.

The file used to produce a final proof that is archived for producing current and future printings of an edition.

The ability of the Giclée process to reproduce prints over a long period of time with consistency. This allows orders of a small number of prints when needed print on demand. While the process does offer a high degree of consistency over time, editions that require exact matching should be printed at one time.

Proofs are prints authorized by the artist in addition to the limited signed and numbered edition. The total size of an art edition consists of the signed and numbered prints plus all outstanding proofs. If a set of proofs consists of more than one print, numbers are inscribed to indicate the number of the prints within the total number of the particular type of proof, (e.g., AP 5/20 means the fifth print in a set of twenty identical prints authorized as artist proofs). Proofs are generally signed by the artist as validation of the prints.

A smaller print often 8 x 10 inches used to evaluate a file prior to printing.

The original form which serves as a model on which successors are based.

Record of ownership for a work of art, ideally from the time it left the artist's studio to it's present location, thus creating an unbroken ownership history.

Any cellulose plant fiber cleaned and beaten into a wet mixture used to form sheets of paper.

Formerly the principal raw material used in the making process; often meaning cotton rags. Rag content describes the amount of cotton fiber relative to the total amount of material used in the pulp. "Rag content" is not widely used (or is a misnomer) today as more and more high quality paper is made not from rag but from linters.

Art term referring to the accurate depiction of natural objects, without the addition of imaginative representation. In addition, it refers to a 19th century art movement in France, which moved away from the Romanticism movement by creating paintings that provided accurate representations of everyday life. Early Realism artists include French artists Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796-1875) and Jean Francois Millet (1814-1875).

All printing processes, in which the non-printing areas of the block or plate are carved, engraved or etched away. Inks are applied onto the projected surface and transferred onto the paper. The reverse process is known as intaglio printing.

Small sketch in the margin of an art print or additional enhancements by the artist on some or all of the final prints within an edition.

French for rebirth, the revival of culture and learning during the 14th and 15th centuries in Europe that emphasized Roman and Greek art and culture.

Artistic piece, i.e. painting, in which it is the artist's intention to present a realistic portrayal of a particular subject matter.

An Original work of art that has been duplicated by photographic or other printmaking methods.

It is generally possible to resize files so prints can be made either smaller or larger. Significant up sizing is usually not successful, but an adjustment of up to 20 percent is acceptable. Determine in advance what sizes will be required on a print job.

Additional prints made from a master plate, block, lithograph stone, etc. after the original edition has been exhausted.

A common misnomer used to describe Oriental papers. There are no papers made from rice, although rice starch was traditionally used to size papers made of Kozo (mulberry plant), Gampi, or Mitsumata.

Movement in art during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that celebrated nature, as opposed to civilization, and valued emotion and imagination rather than rationality. Impressionism, as well as 20th century art in general, was greatly influenced by the Romantic Movement.

A heavily textured paper surface produced by placing wet sheets of paper against textured blankets or air-drying (or both).

The intensity or vividness of a color.

The proportion or ratio of a painted object's size to the original object being depicted.

The process of converting a transparency, negative, or print to a digital file. See High Resolution Scan.

A group of artists who have a common style which may come from geographic, movement, period or other attribute.

A painting representing an expansive view of the ocean or sea.

A printing technique that makes use of a squeegee to force ink directly onto a piece of paper or canvas through a stencil creating an image on a screen of silk or other fine fabric with an impermeable substance. Serigraphy differs from most other printing in that its color areas are paint films rather than printing ink stains.

One of three colors created by mixing equal parts of two primary colors (red, blue and yellow); secondary colors include violet, orange, and green.

A color which when compared to another has a clear difference in color whether lighter, darker, greener, etc.; also indicates an area of darkness due to an absence of light in an area of a painting or picture.

The sheet of paper or other material that will be printed. The largest Iris Printers accommodate sheets up to 35" x 47". House papers for this are commonly 35" x 46.75".

An outline of a single solid color that is usually a portrait and is placed on a strongly contrasting background, usually black on white.

The process of making a print during which an image is imposed on a screen of silk and blank areas have been blocked out. Ink is then forced through the mesh onto the paper surface. Andy Warhol is known for his use of the silkscreen method in his painting.

The depiction in a painting or picture of more than one image of the same object or person; often done with different perspectives of the same image such as showing the profile and the frontal perspective of a person's face.

The process by which gelatin rosin, starch or other synthetic substance is added to paper to provide resistance to the absorption of moisture or eliminating ink feathering and bleed through. Sizing added to the beater or vat of pulp is known as internal sizing. After a sheet is formed, it may be either surface sized (painted or brushed on the surface), or tub sized (immersed in a bath).

A person who paints as a hobby or non-primary occupation; sometimes used to imply that the painter is not a professional artist.

A 35mm transparency. Not recommended for art Copy Work. High-quality 35mm slides can be printed up to 30" or even larger depending on the nature of the image, grain of the film, and the "look" desired by the photographer.

The usual technique or expression of an artist or group of artists.

The canvas, paper, or other material on which the image is printed.

Sulphite pulp is produced from the wood of coniferous trees. Wood chips are cooked in calcium bisulphate or sodium sulphite, and bleached, producing fairly long strong fibers. Since the end of the 1860's until recent years, it has been the most widely used pulp in America. In fact, the term"sulphite" has become generic and is still accurately used to describe any paper made from wood in distinction from papers made from cotton or other fibers. Sulphite pulp is available in a range of grades up to pure alpha cellulose.

A person who paints as a hobby or non-primary occupation; sometimes used to imply that the painter is not a professional artist.

Similar to photo-realism, a style of painting in which the details of the subject are represented in such realistic detail as to mimic photography.

A successor to Dadaism, which began in the 1920's, dedicated to the expression of dreams and the activities of the subconscious mind, through fantastic imagery. The period was influenced greatly by Freud's focus on dreams. Early artists of the period include Salvador Dali (1904-1989) and Rene Magritte (1898-1967). Although the Surrealism movement influenced the creation of the Magic Realism art movement, Surrealists focus primarily on psychological themes, while Magic Realists tend to focus on alterations of physical reality.

An art style developed in the late 19th century characterized by the incorporation of symbols and ideas, usually spiritual or mystical in nature, which represent the inner life of people. Traditional modeled, pictorial depictions are replaced or contrasted by flat mosaic-like surfaces decoratively embellished with figures and design elements.

A method or way of working with materials to create a work of art.

Shaped like a house.

Meaning dark and gloomy, a style of painting in which light is rendered in great contrast to dark to create a dramatic effect. Often, a work appears to have a single source of illumination to highlight the primary subject.

Literally third color, colors that are created by mixing unequal amounts of two primary colors; for example, two parts of yellow and one part of blue would yield the tertiary color of a yellowish green.

The surface quality or physical feel of a piece of art; examples are flat, prickly, bumpy, rough, smooth, etc.

A style of painting in which the artist attempts to accurately capture the visual effects of the sunlight on the subject.

Able to allow some light to transmit some but not all light.

Able to allow all light to pass through, often appearing clear and glasslike.

High-quality reproduction requires copy transparencies made by photographers experienced in art reproduction. Lighting is very important in terms of evenness, color, and lack of any highlights. Transparencies should either be 4 x 5 or 8 x 10 inches. The pre-press process tries to create a print that looks like the transparency, not the original, so the transparency should reflect the original as accurately as possible.

Pre-cursor to a limited edition series, these initial prints are pulled so that the artist may examine, refine and perfect the prints to the desired final state. Trial proofs are generally not signed.

A set of three paintings often on panels that are related in subject matter.

A style of painting in which architectural details are rendered in extremely fine detail in order to create the illusion of tactile (tangible) and spatial qualities. This form of painting was first used by the Romans thousands of years ago in frescoes and murals.

The preliminary coats of paint in a painting that render the basic outline before the final paint layers are added to complete the work.

Degree of lightness on a scale from dark to light of black and white or any colour. Low values indicate darker color or less lightness and high values indicate lighter color or more lightness.

In perspective, the point on the horizon in the distance where two lines seem to converge and visibility ends.

A paper surface that is finely textural. Vellum is also used to designate heavy weight, translucent drawing of drafting papers.

The 20th century concept that not only items or subjects of great beauty are worthy of art, but that everyday subjects also have aesthetic value for art.

A picture or painting where the borders are undefined and seem to fade or blur away.

Colors in which red or yellow are dominant including purple, orange, yellow and red. Warm colors are associated with the sun and heat and appear to come toward the viewer.

A painting in which the artist uses water-based paint containing water soluble pigments.

The translucent design or name easily visible when a sheet is held to the light. A design is sewn onto the papermaking screen with raised wire. When the sheet is formed, the pulp settles in a thinner layer over the wire design.

Printing technique in which the printing surface has been carved from a block of wood. The traditional wood block is seasoned hardwood such as apple, beech or sycamore. Woodcut is one of the oldest forms of printing dating back to the 12th century.

The viewing perspective of seeing from the floor or the surface of the earth.

Papers which show no fine "laid" lines running through the sheet when held to the light.

Literally, spirit of the times, the outlook or general feeling characteristic of the art creations of a time or cultural period.

The three areas of a painting or picture that attempts to show spatial depth; the three areas are the foreground, the middle distance and the background.

[Source: www.wideskiesart.com]