Glossary
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- A la poupee A printmaking technique in which different areas of a plate are inked with different colors.
- A-Line Silhouette Flared shape beginning at bust, waist, or hip.
- Abaca An extremely strong fiber that comes from stalks of banana trees.
- Abalone a seashell with a mesmerizing iridescent interior, with beautiful shades of blue, green, purple and silver that can be found along the coasts.
- Abrasives Coarse particles of natural sands and synthetic materials used to scrape away irregularities in a surface. The most common form is sandpaper, properly called coated stock.
- Absorption The capacity of a material to soak up liquid.
- Abstract (n) Nonrepresentational art. (v) Refers to the process of modifying what has been observed for expressive purposes.
- Acid A class of chemical compounds commonly used in printmaking and glass etching to eat away unprotected areas of the surface to create a design.
- Acrylic A water-soluble paint made with pigments and synthetic resin; used as a fast-drying alternative to oil paint.
- Acrylic Paint Made from pigments dispersed in a polymethyl methacrylate vehicle. Mostly soluble in water and fast drying. Less translucent than oil paint.
- Action Painting A style of painting wth emphasis on the physical act of painting itself, rather than on any preconceived concepts. Involves large, gestural strokes, drips, splatters, and other techniques to convey energy and movement.
- Additive The creation of sculpture through the process of building and adding material.
- Adsorption The collecting of liquid on a surface by condensation.
- Adularescence A gemstone phenomenon characterized by a soft, billowy light that seems to float within a stone; the glow appears to move across the stone's surface as the angle of viewing changes.
- Aerial Photography Identifying a specialized branch of photography concerned with making photographs from aircraft for a variety of uses.
- Aesthetic A philosophical theory as to what is beautiful (esthetic). Concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste.
- African Blackwood A wood from eastern African that is dark purplish brown with black streaks.
- Agate A very hard, semiprecious stone with a striped or variegated pattern.
- Airbrush A method of spraying dyes or paints onto a surface using a brush device driven by an air compressor.
- Akoya pearl A saltwater pearl known for its intense luster, beautiful color, and near-perfect roundness.
- Akoye Pearl Akoya pearls are saltwater pearls cultivated in Japan and China. They're the most classic variety of pearl (and the most popular). Most Akoya pearls have a white or cream bodycolor with overtones of rose, cream and silver. These pearls range in size from 2mm to 10mm.
- Alabaster A fine-textured, usually white, gypsum that is easily carved and translucent when thin.
- Albany Slip A natural common surface clay which becomes a shiny brown or black glaze from cone 4 upwards.
- Alcohol Ink A fast-drying, waterproof, highly-pigmented, alcohol-based ink with a flowing, transparent quality which allows unique and versatile effects similar to watercolor.
- Alexandrite A gem which appears green in daylight and red in artificial light.
- Alkalies Base compounds of sodium, potassium and alkaline earths which function as low-temperature fluxes for silica.
- Alla Prima A process in which an entire painting is completed in a single session, rather than allowing the paint to dry between sessions. Also known as "direct painting." Comes from the Italian term for "at first."
- Aluminum A lightweight, silver-colored metal used extensively in commercial applications, and occasionally by metal artists. In a process called anodizing, aluminum is given a tough porous coating that can be colored with dyes.
- Amazonite A stone characterized by a vibrant color which can vary from light green to turquoise blue; named after the vivid colors of the Amazon rainforest.
- Amber The fossilized resin of prehistoric pine trees, which ranges in color from golden to orange-red.
- Amboyna Burl A dome-shaped growth on the trunk of a paduak tree, which are native to southeast Asia.
- Ambrosia Maple Ambrosia is a term applied to red maple wood when it has been infested by the ambrosia beetle. The beetle bores small holes into the tree that introduces a fungus which then grows. As the fungus spreades it causes streaks which produces a desirable pattern in the wood.
- American Craftsman A design philosophy stemming from the Arts and Crafts movement characterized by simplicity, originality, and the use of natural materials, typically with an emphasis on quality, and durability, clean lines and minimal ornamentation to highlight the inherent beauty of the wood.
- Amethyst a crystalline quartz in colors ranging from pale lilac to deep reddish purple. It is the February birthstone.
- Ametrine A unique, naturally-occurring gemstone that combines the qualities and colors of two distinct quartz varieties: amethyst and citrine.
- Ammolite An opal-like organic gemstone found primarily along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains made of fossilized ammonite shells
- Ammonite The iridescent fossilized shells of extinct marine mollusks, used for their unique and colorful appearance.
- Amorphous Without specific form.
- Amphora A tall, ancient Greek or Roman jar with two handles and a narrow neck.
- Anagama Japanese for "cave kiln," this ancient wood-fired kiln originated in East Asia and is still used today due to its unique firing properties and effects. Variations include noborigama, waritake, and jagama kilns.
- Analogous Colors Colors that are closely related to each other and generally lie next to each other on the color wheel. Often used in groups of three or four, they are low in contrast and therefore blend well.
- Andalusite A mineral which often forms elongated prismatic crystals in shades of brown, green, and pink; displays different colors depending on viewing angle.
- Andesine A rare gemstone typically found in shades of red, orange, or champagne, sometimes with a subtle shimmer. Valued in jewelry for its warm hues and translucency.
- Andradite A garnet variety prized for its high brilliance and vibrant color, most commonly seen in green, yellow, or black.
- Anegre Wood A light-tan wood native to Africa.
- Anigre A wood native to East Africa commonly used in fine furniture, cabinetry, and interior design
- Aniline Dye A synthetic dye used to color a variety of materials. Commonly used to dye wood because it offers bright, transparent color while showcasing the wood's grain.
- Annealing (Metal) The process of rendering metal more malleable by heating it to a specific temperature.
- Anodized Process in which aluminum is given a tough, porous coating that can be colored with dyes.
- Anodizing Process in which aluminum is given a tough, porous coating that can be colored with dyes.
- Anticlastic raising The process of forging a piece of metal so that it has opposite curvature at a given point. The metal is worked in a way that stretches the outside areas of the metal and creates a concave curve, while the center section of the metal is compressed and forced into a convex curve.
- Antique Glass Glass which is mouth-blown into a cylinder, scored along its length, reheated and allowed to flatten into a sheet. The term antique describes the method by which it was made, not its age.
- Antiqued A technique or paint applied to the surface of an object to artificially create the appearance of age or wear through distressing, staining, glazing, or discoloring.
- Apatite A gemstone that occurs in blue, green, yellow, and clear hues.
- Apothecary Chest A simple, low chest with small drawers, originally used to store herbs for medicinal or cooking purposes.
- Applique A form of decoration in which pieces of a material are fastened to a surface of the same or another material to form a design; most common in sewing.
- Aquamarine A transparent blue, blue-green, or green variety of Beryl, often considered a semi-precious gemstone
- Aquatint An etching process used to create areas of solid color as well as gradations of white through black tones. Usually has the appearance of transparent watercolor.
- Aragonite A gemstone typically seen in warm, earthy tones and valued for its intricate crystal formations.
- arashi shibori A Japanese dyeing technique in which fabric is wrapped around a pole and bound with string, creating diagonal stripes. Arashi means storm in Japanese, referring to the rain-like look of the striped pattern.
- Archival Designation for paper or inks of high permanence and durability. A non-technical term used to denote material that will last over long periods (several decades) with minimal deterioration because of its chemical stability and physical durability.
- Archival Quality Designation for paper or inks of high permanence and durability. A non-technical term used to denote material that will last over long periods (several decades) with minimal deterioration because of its chemical stability and physical durability.
- Argentium A tarnish resistant silver alloy containing more pure silver than sterling.
- Argentium Silver A tarnish resistant silver alloy containing more pure silver than sterling.
- Armature A framework around which clay can be modeled.
- Armoire A tall wardrobe with doors and shelves for clothing, often carved or ornately painted.
- Art Deco A streamlined, geometric style popular in the 1920s and 1930s, which derived from various avant-garde painitng styles of the early twentieth-century.
- Art Moderne Extreme modernistic French style of design that started with the Paris Exposition in 1925. This style is characterized by straight lines, angles and geometric decorations.
- Art Nouveau A decorative style that developed in France between 1890 and 1910. The style is inspired by organic forms in the entire design (as opposed to just in the ornamentation), and is characterized by s-shaped curves, flowing lines that end in a whip-like tail, and subtle transitions.
- Artblocked Artblocked frames have a simple narrow border and deep profile, setting the artwork distinctly off the wall.
- Artifact A product of human workmanship of archeological and/or historical significance.
- Artist Proofs Prints created by a print publisher for the artist to review and work with the publisher to make any necessary adjustments to coloring, tone, darkness, etc., before the numbered edition prints are printed. Approved artist proofs are signed, numbered and inscribed as artist proofs (AP). Artist proofs that are not approved by the artist are destroyed. Artist proofs are considered of higher value than the proofs in the numbered edition because of their limited quantity.
- Arts and Crafts Also known as Mission style, this decorative style was a rustic answer to the mass-produced and ornamental forms that dominated the Victorian style. Popular between the 1860s and 1939, this form appears blocky and rectangular and often uses quartersawn (see quartersawing) oak.
- Ash The residue ash made by burning tree, plant, or vegetable material; can be used alone or with other materials for glaze at stoneware temperatures; it is traditional in Asia where wood has been a common fuel; volcanic ash can also be used.
- Ash Glaze A ceramic glaze utilizing wood or vegetable ashes as the fluxing ingredient.
- Assemblage The technique of combining various elements, especially found objects, into a three-dimensional work of art.
- Atlantacite A relatively rare stone that combines serpentine with inclusions of stichtite, creating a distinctive yellow-green and purple appearance.
- Atlantisite A relatively rare stone that combines serpentine with inclusions of stichtite, creating a distinctive yellow-green and purple appearance.
- Atmosphere In lampworking, this refers specifically to the conditions within the torch flame. The atmosphere of the flame can be "oxidizing" (high in oxygen) or "reducing" (low in oxygen). A reducing atmosphere will affect some colored glasses, turning the surface black or otherwise discoloring it. A flame that is reducing is generally softer and cooler that a flame that is oxidizing. Glass color is also sometimes affected by the atmosphere within the kiln during annealing.
- Auralite 23 A type of crystal known for its unique and complex composition; believed to contain 23 different minerals, it's sometimes referred to as "Auralite Amethyst" due to its primary amethyst component.
- Autochrome A practical, additive photo process perfected in 1907 using a glass plate dusted with transparent grains of potato starch dyed red, green and blue. These starch grains act as tiny color filters, allowing light to affect a piece of film sandwiched behind the glass plate. Film is then reverse processed into a positive transparency. Graininess and spots often appear in the finished image because starch grains could not be evenly mixed.
- Aventurine Adventurine, or aventurine, is a form of quartz characterized by translucence and shimmer caused by mica inclusions. Sometimes mistaken for jade, adventurine is primarily green but may also be orange, brown, yellow, blue, or gray. Besides its uses in jewelry, aventurine is also used for ornamental purposes in vases or bowls.
- Avodire Wood An African wood compared in strength and figure to mahogany, but with a color range from pale lemon yellow to golden yellow.
- Azurite A soft, deep-blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits. Also known as blue malachite or chessylite.
(Glass) The gradual cooling of glass from higher working temperatures to room temperature, in order to reduce the amount of internal strain inherent in glass.
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