Life Style / Painting Glossary

Binder: That which holds the paint together, such as linseed oil for oil painting, polymers for acrylics, gum arabic for watercolors and gouache.

Bladder: From the mid i7th century artists' pigments when mixed with oil were stored in small bladders. To use them the painter made a small hole with a tack, squeezed out some colour then pushed the . . . View Full Definition

Bleaching: The process of restoring discolored or stained wood to its normal color or making it lighter.

Bleeding: Describes the action of one colour running into another. Most applicable to water-colour, where a second or third colour can be dropped on to an already applied wash while it is wet. To a ce . . . View Full Definition

Blending: A term concerned mostly with oils, acrylics or alkyds. It implies the softening of hard edges between colours, and the artist would be likely to use a fan brush or the tip of a finger.

Blistering: The formation of bubbles or pimples on the painted surface caused by moisture in the wood by painting before the previous coat has dried thoroughly or by excessive heat or grease under the paint.

Blocking In: The simplifying and arranging of compositional elements using rough shapes, forms, or geometric equivalents when starting a painting.

Bloom: A phenomenon that occurs with varnish on paintings, and occasionally on polished furniture. Causes can include damp conditions during varnishing, picture hung in a chilly, draughty position, . . . View Full Definition

Blotting: Using an absorbent material such as tissues or paper towels, or a squeezed out brush, to pick up and lighten a wet or damp wash. Can be used to lighten large areas or pick out fine details.

Blotwork: A manner worked on by Alexander Cozens, which is elaborated on in A New Method for assisting the invention in drawing original compositions of Landscape (1786). The idea is that an accidenta . . . View Full Definition

Blow Dryer: For rapid painting production, these electronic hair drying devices are a necessity at times. Overheating liquid frisket areas can 'set' the frisket into the top layer of paper fibers. Which . . . View Full Definition

Blushing: A gloss film turning flat or a clear lacquer turning white, usually caused by moisture condensation during the drying process.

Body: The thickness or thinness of a liquid paint.

Body Color: The mixing of opaque white gouache with transparent watercolor; or gouache colors in general.

Boxing: Mixing paint by pouring from one container to another several times to ensure thorough mixing.

Breadth: The suppression of the smaller shapes, details, tones for the benefit of the whole.

Breathe: The ability of a paint film to permit the passage of moisture vapor without causing blistering, cracking, or peeling.

Bridging: Ability of paint to span small gaps or cracks through its cohesion and elastic qualities.

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