Art and Painting Vocabulary Words for Artists

Create things with a purpose to beautify is ART, which can be summarized for creation, designing, drawing, painting etc.

Today we are going to talk about vocabulary related to visual art. The elements of visual art include texture, form, space, shape, color, value and line.

We have complied a list of basic art terminology for beginner artists to help them get started for the world of art.

Following are common words related to art along with their definitions.

WORDSMEANING
abstract artAbstract art is more concerned with the expression of the objects through color, texture, shape, form and marks then the actual appearance of the objects.   
acrylicsAlmost like oils but more durable, quicker to dry and you can paint on any unprimed surface and will not crack over time.
balanceAn arrangement of parts so that they have equal force.
backgroundThe shapes that appear behind the foreground.
baroqueArt that was ornately decorated, dynamic and was filled with emotion. 
batikA method of dyeing cloth, where you use wax to repel the dye on parts of the design where you do not wish to use dye
blotWhen you take an absorbent material to soak up or dry excess paint or water.
brushesTools used to apply paint and ink to a surface, consisting of hairs, or bristles held in place by a metal ring or cap attached to a handle.
byzantineHis art was very religious and mostly created for the Eastern Orthodox Church. 
canvasA prepared cloth surface used for painting. 
caricatureAn exaggeration or distortion of the subject which makes it comical, satirical, or grotesque. 
collageThe technique of building up a picture in two-dimensional form by using newspaper, magazines, wallpaper, and wood. Sometimes drawn or painted sketches where done over a collage background.
color valueThe color value is the position in reference to the amount of white and black.  
composeTo create and arrange the elements of art in an artwork. 
compositionThe plan, placement or arrangement of the elements of art in a work, usually according to the principles of design. 
contrastOpposites placed next to or near each other in a picture.
cloisonneAn object having an enamel coating.
engravingYou draw with a steel needle on a metal plate.
emphasisWhen an artist makes one part of a picture more important than another.
etchTo cut into the surface by using chemicals to create a design.
focal pointThe part of an artwork you look at first. 
foregroundThe first shapes that appear in front of a picture.
formThe shape of an object that has many sides and viewpoints.
freehandDrawn by hand without the aid of tracing or drafting devices
kaolinFine clay used in ceramics and refractories and as a filler or coating for paper and textiles. 
kineticAny artwork with parts that move.
lacquerA glossy, resinous material, used as a surface coating. 
landscapeOutdoor scenes like city, sea, sky or land.
limited editionThe specific amount an artist will print of her artwork

There are different ways to teach Art vocabulary, which is as under:-

  1. Write Them Into Class Objectives.
  2. Make Them Visible. 
  3. Explain both the “Fancy Definition” and the “Teacher Definition”.
  4. Create A Jingle.
  5. Say Them Out Loud.
  6. Use a Cheat Sheet.

Art and Painting are quite significant in every kid’s school life. Through art and painting, children can easily learn to value and appreciate different artwork in cultures and times. They learn to act and think like designers and artists, working intelligently and creatively.

We present you the unique words to describe beautiful art and paintings like astonishing, brilliant, distinctive etc.

75+ Words to Describe Art and Artwork

Following are common adjectives used to describe art and artwork of an artist.

absorbingabstractacclaimedaccomplished
adroitaestheticaesthetically aggressive
appealingartisticastonishingatmospheric
authenticavant-gardeaward-winningawe-inspiring

balancedbaroquebeautifulbold
boundlessbrilliantcandidceramic
characteristicclassiccollectiblecolorful
complementarycomplexconceptualcontemplative

contemporarycontroversialconversationalcreative
dazzlingdecorativedeeply thoughtfuldelicate
densedetaileddimensionaldisciplined
disruptivedistinctivedistinguisheddivine

dreamlikedreamydynamiceclectic
elevatedelevatingemergentemerging
emotionalemotionally chargedenchantedenergetic
engagingengrossingenigmaticepochal

etherealevocativeexceptionalexotic
explosiveexpressiveextremefascinating
figuralfigurativefluidfresh
gorgeousgracefulgranularimaginative

impassionedimpeccableimpressionistinfused
inspirationalinspiredinstinctiveintellectual
intenseintensiveinterestingintuitive
inventivelabyrinthinelayeredlifelike

literalmaturemeanderingmosaic-like
movingmysteriousmysticalnarrative
organicoriginalparadoxicalpassionate
peacefulpersonalphenomenalpictorial

playfulpotentprofoundprovoking
pureradiantrealisticrefined
refreshingremarkableresourcefulrevealing
richsaturatedsculpturalsemi-abstract

sensualserenesimpleskilled
softspiritualstimulatingstunning
sublimesubstantivesupplesurreal
symbolictactiletalentedtasteful

thought-provokingtimelesstouchingtraditional
tranquilunconventionalunexpectedunforgettable
uniqueuniversalunpredictablevaried
visionaryvisualvisually stimulatingvoyeuristic

These words will help you to describe art using the right words and phrases. Everyone can write colorfully about the artwork!

Englishbix will help you in knowing and learning similar words that you can add to your vocabulary list. It will be the best thing as these words are simple to remember and use. 

Quick Links

English Literature Terms VocabularyHistory and Sculpture Vocabulary

Leave a Comment