Lesson
Art vocabulary and techniques
Text
This lesson introduces key vocabulary used in the visual arts: terms artists, curators, and gallery professionals use every day. You'll learn words for materials, processes, roles, and exhibition types so you can understand and discuss artworks in professional contexts.
Table
| Term | Part of Speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| medium | noun | Her chosen medium is oil paint. |
| canvas | noun | He stretched the canvas before priming it. |
| palette | noun | She mixed the colors on her palette. |
| sketch | noun/verb | He made a quick sketch of the gallery layout. |
| sculpture | noun | The museum commissioned a new sculpture for the lobby. |
| installation | noun | The artist created a site-specific installation for the courtyard. |
| curator | noun | The curator selected works for the retrospective. |
| exhibition | noun | The exhibition opens to the public next Friday. |
Tip
Focus on meaning, collocations, and context:
Practice using terms in short professional sentences (e.g., 'The curator organized the exhibition').
Example
The artist presented a mixed-media installation in the corporate atrium.
Please prepare the canvas and palette before the portrait session.
The curator requested high-resolution images for the exhibition catalogue.
He sketched several layout options for the gallery wall.
Tip
Watch out for these universal errors when learning visual arts vocabulary:
When in doubt, check usage in a sentence and refer to reputable art catalogs or gallery texts.
Quiz
Which definition best fits the art term 'medium'?
Hint: Think about what artists use to create their work.
Correct!
In art, 'medium' refers to the materials or technique the artist uses (e.g., oil, watercolor, mixed media).
Incorrect
The correct answer was: The materials or tools used by an artist
In art, 'medium' refers to the materials or technique the artist uses (e.g., oil, watercolor, mixed media).
Quiz
Complete: The curator organized a _____ of contemporary sculpture.
Hint: Think of a public event that displays artworks.
Correct!
'Exhibition' refers to a public presentation of artworks, often organized by a gallery or museum.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: exhibition
'Exhibition' refers to a public presentation of artworks, often organized by a gallery or museum.
Quiz
Which term refers to the surface an artist paints on?
Hint: Focus on what provides a physical surface for paint.
Correct!
A canvas is a common surface (fabric or panel) prepared for painting.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: canvas
A canvas is a common surface (fabric or panel) prepared for painting.
Vocabulary
The material or technique used by an artist to create a work (e.g., oil, watercolor, digital).
The artist changed medium from acrylic to oil this season.
Vocabulary
A strong fabric or panel prepared for painting on.
Please stretch the canvas and prime it before the session.
Vocabulary
A board on which an artist mixes paints; also used figuratively for a range of colors.
The designer recommended a muted palette for the exhibition graphics.
Vocabulary
A quick drawing or plan used to record ideas or layout.
I sketched three concepts for the client presentation.
Vocabulary
A three-dimensional artwork created by carving, modeling, casting, or assembling materials.
The public plaza features a modern steel sculpture.
Vocabulary
A large-scale artwork designed for a specific space, often interactive or immersive.
The installation required special lighting and AV equipment.
Vocabulary
A person responsible for selecting and organizing works for an exhibition or collection.
The curator wrote the wall text for the new show.
Vocabulary
A public display of artworks or objects, usually organized by a gallery or museum.
The annual exhibition attracted international collectors and critics.