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Art Terminology Printmaking Process | Printmaking Techniques | Common Art Print Terms | Print Proof Types | Abbreviations Used in Art | Art Styles and Art Movements| Hanging a Work of Art
Intaglio - 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. Planographic - 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. Relief - 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. Aquatint - 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. Blind - 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. Collograph - Printing technique in which proofs are pulled from a block on which the artwork or design is built up like a collage, creating relief. Drypoint - 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. Engraving - 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. Etching - 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. Iris or Giclée - A computerized reproduction technique in which the image and topography are generated from a digital file and printed by a special ink jet printer, using ink, acrylic or oil paints. Giclée printing offers one of the highest degree of accuracy and richness of color available in any reproduction techniques. Lithography - 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. Mezzotint - (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. Monotype
- 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
Offset Lithography - 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. Serigraphy (Silk-screen) - 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. Woodcut - 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. Acid-free Paper or Canvas - Paper or canvas treated to neutralize it's natural acidity in order to protect fine art and photographic prints from discoloration and deterioration. Canvas Transfer - 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. Color-variant Suite - A set of identical prints in different color schemes. Impression - Fine art made by any printing stamping process. Limited Edition - Set of identical prints numbered in succession and signed by the artist. The total number of prints if fixed or "limited" by the artist who supervises the printing. All additional prints have been destroyed. Monoprint - One-of-a-kind print conceived by the artist and printed by or under the artist's supervision. Montage (Collage) - 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. Multiple Originals - A set of identical fine prints in which the artist personally conceived the image, created the master plates and executed or supervised the entire printing process. Example: etching. Multiple Reproductions - A set of identical fine prints reproducing the image of an original artwork created by a non-printing process. Example: serigraph of an oil on canvas. Open Edition - A series of prints or objects in an art edition that has an unlimited number of copies. Original Print - One-of-a-kind print in which the artist personally conceived the image, created the master plates and executed the entire printing process. Provenance - 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. Remarque - 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. Restrike - Additional prints made from a master plate, block, lithograph stone, etc. after the original edition has been exhausted. 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 Artist's
Proof - 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
Cancellation Proof - 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. Hors d'Commerce Proof - 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. Printer's Proof - Print retained by the printer as a reference. Artists often sign these prints as a gesture of appreciation. Trial Proof - 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. 2nd ed - Second edition: prints of the same image as the original edition but altered in some way (as in change of color, paper or printing process). 2nd st - Second state: prints of proofs which contain significant changes from the original print. AP - Artist's Proof (see definition) Del - (Latin, delineavit) He (she) drew it. Generally inscribed next to the artist's signature. E.A. - (French, épreuve d'artist) An artist's proof (see definition) Exc or Imp - (Latin, excudit) He(she) executed it. The meaning is synonymous with (Latin, impressit) he(she) printed it. HC - (French, Hors d'Commerce) Prints from an edition intended to be used as samples to show to dealers and galleries. Inc. or Sculp - (Latin, incidit) He(she) cut it. The meaning is synonymous with (Latin, impressit) he(she) carved it. These abbreviations refer to the individuals who engraved the master plate. Inv. or Invent - (Latin, invenit) He(she) designed it. Generally inscribed next to the artist's signature. Lith. or Litho - "Lithographed By". Usually follows the name of the printer of the lithograph. Pinx. - (Latin, pinxit) He(she) painted it. Generally inscribed next to the artist's signature. PP - Printer's proof (see definition) TP - Trial proof (see definition) Abstract
- A 20th century style of painting in which nonrepresentational lines,
colors, 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 unrecognizable. Art Nouveau - 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. Cubism - 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. Dadaism
- 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, Expressionism
- 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 Impressionism
- An art movement founded in France in the last third of the 19th century.
Impressionist artists sought to break up light into its component colors
and render its ephemeral play on various objects. The artist's vision
was intensely centered on light and the ways it transforms Pop Art - A style of art which seeks its inspiration from commercial art and items of mass culture (such as comic strips, popular foods and brand name packaging). Pop art was first developed in New York City in the 1950's and soon became the dominant avant-garde art form in the United States. Realism - A style of painting which depicts subject matter (form, color, space) as it appears in actuality or ordinary visual experience without distortion or stylization. Romanticism - An art style which emphasizes the personal, emotional and dramatic through the use of exotic, literary or historical subject matter. Surrealism - An art style developed in Europe in the 1920's, characterized by using the subconscious as a source of creativity to liberate pictorial subjects and ideas. Surrealist paintings often depict unexpected or irrational objects in an atmosphere of fantasy, creating a dreamlike scenario. Symbolism
- 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 mosiac-like surfaces Trompe l'oeil (Trick of the Eye) - 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 Proper Way to Hang a Work of Art After you have acquired a work, or works, of art the next thing that comes into play is – how to take care of it. We receive many questions each year concerning - lighting, hanging, environment, cleaning, dusting, damages and insurance. Over the next few months I will attempt to summarize our thoughts on each of these topics. The first one I will tackle is – how to hang a work of art. While this is a very easy thing to do, you should not take a single nail, hammer it straight into the wall and hang the work. More than likely, this will not be enough support for the work and you will find that one day, the painting may fall and sustain some damage – something we want to avoid! To begin with, take a look at the back of the frame and see if a wire has been attached. If not, you will need to buy wire that was made for the weight of your work of art. If you are re-hanging a work that has been in your possession for a long period of time, please check the wire to make sure it is structurally sound and that the clips, or screw eyes, that were used to attach the wire to the frame are secure – if the wire is frayed or the screw eyes are loose, please change them. Next, you will need a couple of picture hooks. If the picture hooks were not included with the painting, you will need to visit you local hardware store and purchase them. Know the approximate weight of the work you are going to hang as picture hooks come in a variety of sizes. If you are not sure, I always recommended that people err on the side of caution, buy a size or two bigger than what you think you need – it cannot hurt. You should also know what types of walls are in your home – sheet-rock, concrete, plaster, wood, etc. and note if there are any special treatments on those walls – e.g. if you have padded fabric walls you may need to buy extra long nails. Assuming that the work is wired and that you have a couple of picture hooks, you will need a tape measure, pencil and a small hammer (for this example, I am assuming that we are hanging a painting with an overall size of 33 x 40 inches). Look at the back of the work and find the center of your wire. Next measure 6 – 7 inches left and right of center (for smaller works you will need to adjust this distance accordingly). These will be the spots where the picture hooks will touch the wire. Next, on the back of the frame, measure from the bottom of the frame to one of the points where the wire is going to rest on the picture hook – for our example we will use 28 inches. Next measure from the floor up – taking into account the height of any furniture that may be below the work and the amount of space you want between the furniture and the bottom of the frame. For our example we will assume that the painting is going to hang over a sofa that is 36 inches high and we want the bottom of the painting to be 8 inches above the sofa: 36 inches + 8 inches = 44 inches. Now all you need to do is add the two measurements (44 inches + 28 inches = 72 inches) and you will have the height at which you place your picture hooks. Finally, find the center of the wall/space on which you want to hang the work and measure 72 inches from the floor. Now place your picture hooks 6-7 inches from each side of this mark and then hang your picture – it should be perfect! While you can hang a work of art on 1 picture hook, and this will be fine for very small works, you will find that if you use 2 picture hooks, spaced about 12 - 14 inches apart, the painting will remain level on the wall for a longer period of time. As I mentioned earlier, please keep in mind that if you plan on hanging a small work on two picture hooks you will need to shorten the distance between them. Now,
to be honest, I cannot tell you that this is the way I do it … after
hanging so many pictures, for so many years, I just ‘eyeball it’
… and if I make a mistake, I pull the hooks out and try again!! |