Glossary Of Art Terms

The following are some art terms with their meanings or descriptions.

A synthetic-base paint. Its working properties are similar to oil paint, although acrylic dries more quickly and is water soluble. I use acrylic paint for some of my paintings on canvas and most of my wall murals.

A reproduction in which an image is printed either directly onto an acrylic sheet or onto paper which is face-mounted by 1/8" or 1/4" acrylic. Acrylic prints have a wonderful reflective quality. Most of my original paintings are also available for purchase as acrylic prints.

The French term for the process and product of painting in transparent watercolor. I never use white paint in my aquarelle paintings, allowing the white of the paper to lighten color tones.

Archival watercolor paper is any pure 100% rag, cotton, or linen watercolor paper of neutral or slightly low ph, alkaline (base) vs. acidic and pure ingredients. I use only archival paper for my watercolor paintings.

Methods of mounting and framing that preserve a print in original mint condition. One important aspect of conservation framing is that all material in actual contact with the print contains no chemicals that might eventually damage the paper or the inked image: these materials are usually described as "acid-free". We always frame our work using conservation materials to museum quality standards.

An art print is a reproduction of an original painting done by photographing the painting and printing the photo on archival paper (see above). Almost all of my original paintings are available as art prints. These are much more economical than an original painting.

A reproduction in which an image is printed directly onto canvas. These prints can be produced using offset lithography, digital printing or other methods. Most of my original paintings are also available for purchase as canvas prints.

A type of sculpture using various techniques of cutting, abrading or otherwise wearing the surface of a material to shape it into a particular form. Among the materials appropriate for carving include wood, sandstone, soap, plastic and wax. Visit my dad's hand-carved wood cookie molds.

To form a three-dimensional sculpture by pouring a molten or liquid material into a mold. The term is also used to refer to a work created by this means. There are many materials used in cast art, such as Pewter, Brass, Bronze, Cast Iron, silver and gold.

The art making of objects of clay and firing them in a kiln to a permanent form. Wares of earthenware and porcelain, as well as sculpture are made by ceramists. Ceramics are often decorated with glazes and fired again to fuse the glazes to the clay.

To order an original work from an artist. We welcome your inquiries into the commission of an original painting.

Methods of mounting and framing that preserve a print in original mint condition. One important aspect of conservation framing is that all material in actual contact with the print contains no chemicals that might eventually damage the paper or the inked image: these materials are usually described as "acid-free". All of my work is framed in conservation materials and methods.

Artworks created in our own time. All of the art contained in my galleries is contemporary.

Digital special effects are created with photo manipulation software. There are many computer software programs available that can be applied to photographs to change their appearance. I applied some digital special effects to a photo of my watercolor painting called FROSTY WINDOW DISTANT SUN to create the effect of looking through a frosty window pane at a winter landscape.

My digital works of art begin as an original painting on canvas or watercolor paper which I photograph using a high resolution digital camera. Using complex digital photo manipulation programs, I add layers, combine photos and create special effects that alter the original painting to create a new work of art. My painting called IN THE MIST OF A MEMORY was digitally altered to create two new works of art called Misty Mellow Morning and MISTY MORNING GLOW.

My watercolor paintings are painted on a drafting table that tilts and can be laid flat in order for the watercolor to flow as I want it to.

My oil paintings and some acrylic paintings have been painted on an easel. It is important for me to have a direct sight line to my work when I am painting so that the image will not look distorted.

The quality of materials used in creating your frame affect both its appearance and the longevity of your painting. Our museum quality framing features "conservation quality" matting and backing that meets stringent Library of Congress standards for document preservation. The museum quality matboard is lignin-free, featuring a pure white bevel that will not discolor over time. We also use archival mounting materials.

Also called a Museum Wrap. The canvas is attached to the stretcher bars by wrapping the canvas around the bars and attaching from behind. The image of the artwork continues around the sides seamlessly, giving a clean, contemporary look, allowing the artwork to be hung without a frame. My oil painting called Inspiration is among those painted on gallery wrapped canvas.

A painting in which the subject matter is natural scenery. This site includes winter landscapes, spring landscapes, summer landscapes and autumn landscapes galleries.

Decorative board used in framing that provides contrast between the image and the moulding. Most matting is acid-free and is an important part of the conservation framing technique. All of my original watercolor paintings and art prints are framed with acid free matting to museum quality standards.

Cast-metal medallions sometimes are issued in conjunction with the publication of prints, especially stamp prints. Design of the medallion artwork usually duplicates some portion of the print. Such medallions can be gold-plated, silver, bronze or even pewter.

A reproduction in which an image is printed directly onto aluminum sheets and gives a wonderful luminescent appearance to the prints which is even more vibrant than an acrylic print. Most of my original paintings are also available for purchase as metal prints.

Paint made of pigment mixed with oil usually linseed. The oil serves to keep the paint fluid for a period of time and then as a drying and hardening agent. Appassionato is an oil painting.

A one-of-a-kind image created by an artist that often sells for several thousands of dollars. Many of my Original paintings have been sold; however, art prints of these images are available and if you would like to order an original painting please contact me.

Prints, such as serigraphs or original lithographs, that are created without the use of photography. They are original because every print in an edition is created directly by the artist and may vary slightly from the other prints in the edition.

There are many photo manipulation software programs that can be applied to digital photography to change the appearance of a photo. After taking a photo of my acrylic painting called IN THE MIST OF A MEMORY I applied some digital photo manipulation programs to the photo to create completely new and different images. These images can be purchased as reproductions but not as originals.

Means "Open Air" or "Outdoors". Often done quickly or on the spot. These paintings are usually less detailed and more impressionistic. Fall Color is one of my Plein Air watercolors.

A reproduction that is usually printed in unlimited quantities with a lower grade of paper and inks than limited- or open-edition prints.

Paper containing a certain proportion of cotton fiber in its physical structure used for prints. The higher the cotton contents the higher quality the paper. All of my original watercolor paintings are painted on 100% cotton rag paper.

The apparent or actual projection of three-dimensional forms. Otto Werner's hand carved wood cookie molds are relief carvings.

An original work of art that has been replicated by photographic or other methods. Art print reproductions of my original paintings are available to order at a fraction of the cost of the original piece. Just click on the smaller image below an enlarged image for imformation about the art prints.

A three dimensional work of art. Such works may be carved, molded, constructed or cast. The hand-carved wood cookie molds created by my dad, Otto Werner, are relief sculptures.

Prices for shipping vary based on your location and the weight and size of the parcel (shipped framed or rolled in a tube makes a difference) and shipping method.

A rough or loose visualization of a subject or composition. Some of my house portraits are not detailed paintings but loose quick drawings of pencil sketches, ink sketches and watercolor sketches.

Any work whose subject matter is inanimate objects. My still life paintings have been categorized into four different galleries: feminine still life, masculine still life, garden still life and musical instrument still life galleries.

A comprehensive drawing of a subject or details of a subject that can be used for reference while painting. This study of Michelangelo's Pieta is an oil pastel drawing by my dad. Otto Werner.

Small tonal and compositional sketches to try out design or subject ideas.

The light and dark values of a color.

(Tromp'- loy) A French term meaning "deception of the eye." It is applied to painting so photographically realistic that it may fool the viewer into thinking that the objects or scene represented are real rather than painted. My Trompe L'oeil GARDEN MURAL is an example.

A painting which is shaded off around the edges leaving a pleasing shape within a border of white or color. Oval or broken vignettes are very common as paintings as well as murals. My Paris wall mural is an example of a vignette.

An original painting usually painted in acrylic paint directly onto the surface of a wall. It is also possible to paint a mural onto canvas and mount it to a wall afterward. This makes shipping an original mural possible. My BUNNY PLAYGROUND is an original acrylic wall mural that was painted directly onto a little girl's wall.

A reproduction of an original painting which has been photographed and printed onto wall paper to be applied to the surface of a wall such as my TOUR DE FRANCE MURAL. Wall paper murals are more economical than an original mural and can be shipped rather than painted on site.

Used in watercolor painting, brush drawing, and occasionally in oil painting to describe a broad thin layer of diluted pigment or ink. Also refers to a drawing made in this technique. My Stowe Valley Farm painting is one of many watercolor paintings in which I used this technique.

Pigments dissolved in water. Watercolor painting is typically done on relatively rough-surfaced, absorbent paper. I always use good quality professional grade watercolor pigments for my paintings. The student quality is grainy and less vibrant in comparison.

The technique of painting wet color into a wet surface. (paper saturated). I typically use this technique when painting the backgrounds of my paintings and contrast this by employing a dry-brush technique on the subjects of my paintings for sharper details.