Life Style / Painting Glossary

Settling: The accumulation of material (usually pigment) at the bottom of a container containing paint or stain.

Sfumato: Derived from the Italian word for smoked. It is a well-controlled and subtle method for graduation of tone; it leaves a soft hazy effect. Leonardo used the manner most effectively with the ' . . . View Full Definition

Sgraffito: Scratching or cutting through a layer of colour to expose the ground or support, or to bring up a second layer of colour underneath the last laid. The term was introduced by Otto von Falke in 1507.

Shake Painter: A rectangular-shaped flat pad with an attached handle that is used to paint shingles, shakes and other special surfaces and areas.

Sheen: A paint that appears to be matt when viewed near to perpendicular, but appears to be glossy when viewed from other angles.

Sheen Uniformity: The even distribution of luster over the entire surface of an applied finish.

Shellac: Derived from a resinous substance called Lac. Used as a sealer and finish for floors, for sealing knots and other purposes. A natural resin, usually in the form of thin flakes.

Siccative: A substance added to oil-colours to considerably hasten their speed of drying. Faster than driers, it is intended as an accelerating agent only, not as an equalizer across the whole palette.

Silhouette: A small picture, often a profile of a head, a whole figure or some simple scene. The name was in memory of Monsieur Etienne de Silhouette (1709-67), an unpopular French Minister of Finance, . . . View Full Definition

Sinopia: A red-brown chalk employed for marking-out frescos.

Sketch: 1. A brief statement of the subject. 2. A drawing complete in itself.

Skin: Tough covering that forms on paints if container is not tightly sealed.

Softwood: Evergreen trees (spruce, fir and pine). The term does not refer to the hardness of the wood.

Solvent: The volatile part of paint composition that evaporates during drying.

Spackling: A filler, often used for filling cracks and holes, that prepares surfaces before painting.

Spackling Compound: A material used as crack filler for preparing surfaces before painting.

Spar Varnish: A very durable varnish designed for service on exterior surfaces.

Spatter: Small particles or drips of liquid paint thrown or expelled when applying paint.

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