Art terms
This glossary explains some of the techniques, mediums, art movements, and other terms you’ll encounter on our website, along with links to examples in the collection.
All
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Showing 11 of 314 art terms
-
E
-
Earthwork
Art that is made by shaping the land itself or by making forms in the land using natural materials like rocks or tree branches. Earthworks range from subtle,
8 examples
-
Edition
A set of identical prints made from the same printing surface. Editions may be limited or unlimited in number. Often a certain number of prints—including
11 examples
-
Elevation Drawing
An elevation or elevation drawing is a two-dimensional representation of one side of a building or space. It can depict one of the building’s facades or
6 examples
-
Embossing
A method of printing the deeply incised areas of a metal printing plate without ink, which creates a raised impression on the paper. Small or shallow objects
8 examples
-
Emulsion
A uniform mixture of oily substances and watery substances, which do not ordinarily mix. Artists may add an emulsifier, like egg yolk, to such emulsions
0 examples
-
Enamel Paint
A type of paint made from fine pigments and resin that is formulated to be very fluid and that dries to a hard, glossy finish
8 examples
-
Engraving
An intaglio printmaking technique that creates a crisp, precise line that swells in the middle and tapers at the end. Lines are incised on a bare metal
12 examples
-
Ephemera
Written, printed, or commercially produced materials not originally intended to be seen as independent artworks. These are often related to exhibitions,
6 examples
-
Etching
An intaglio printmaking technique that creates thin, fluid lines whose effects can vary from graceful and serpentine to tight and scratchy. An etching
6 examples
-
Expressionism
Encompasses varying stylistic approaches that emphasize intense personal expression. Renouncing the stiff bourgeois social values that prevailed at the
8 examples
-
Exquisite corpse
A game in which each participant takes turns writing or drawing on a sheet of paper, folding it to conceal his or her contribution, and then passing it
6 examples
-