Glossary of Art Terms
Chiaroscuro: from the term chiaro, for clear, or light and oscuro - to obscure or darken. A 16th century term in which value, or luminance, is used to evoke emotional context, usually by use of a limited or monochromatic palette. Da Vinci was an early practitioner of the technique, using it in the background of many of his famous portraits.Â
Glaze:Â a thin layer of transparent color manipulated over a previously painted, dry layer of paint resulting in a luminous glow and revealing the texture of the underpainting.
Pigment: a finely ground powder, composed of elements and compounds, which reflect and absorb narrow bands of the visible spectrum. Combined with mediums, such as oils or resins, they form paint.