Art Glossary

For those interested in Art but still not familiar with all the day to day terms used by galleries we have produced this list of definitions. We hope you find them useful. If there are any art terms not listed which you know of or would like answered please email us and we will try to help.


ABSTRACT - Art which departs from real subjects and representational accuracy in preference to shapes, color and texture. This form of Scottish Art is sometimes referred to as non-representational art.

ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM - New York painting movement of the 1940's with its artistic roots based upon Abstract Art. This type of painting is often referred to as action painting. .

ACCENT - where an artist highlights specific parts of a painting and in the process creates in them more attention.

ACRYLIC - Rapidly drying paint used by artists. Acrylic is made from synthetic materials that are water soluble while wet but once dried and cured become tough and flexible. The paint is long-lasting with good color fastness and has little or no fumes. British Artists favor Acrylic Art when a painting is going to hang in public areas where people might touch the painting or it might be exposed to dust. British Artists showing at Red Rag Modern British Art Gallery and specializing in Acrylic paintings include: Sylvia Antonsen

ACTION PAINTING - where artists use vigorous physical activity to create paintings usually on a large abstract style.

AERIAL PERSPECTIVE - Painting technique used to reproduce real l