Painting Vocabulary Quiz
12 questions on painting terms: canvas, palette, brushstroke, hue and the language of fine art. B1–B2 level.
Keep building your painting vocabulary.
Painting Vocabulary — FAQ
A canvas is a strong, woven cloth, usually stretched tight over a wooden frame, that artists paint on. It provides a firm, slightly textured surface that holds paint well and is especially common for oil and acrylic painting.
A palette is the flat surface, often a board or tray, on which a painter places and mixes their colours. The word is also used for the particular range of colours an artist chooses to use in a work.
A brushstroke is a single mark made by dragging a loaded brush across the surface. The size, direction and texture of brushstrokes affect the look and mood of a painting, and many artists are recognised by their distinctive style.
Hue is another word for a pure colour, such as red, green or blue, before it is made lighter, darker or duller. Understanding hue helps artists describe and mix colours accurately.
An easel is a stand, usually made of wood or metal, that holds a canvas or board upright while the artist works. It keeps the surface steady and at a comfortable angle for painting.
Oil paint is made by mixing pigment with oil; it dries slowly, allowing blending and rich, deep colours. Watercolour is pigment mixed with water; it dries quickly and is usually thin and transparent, often used on paper.
A portrait is a painting, drawing or photograph of a person, especially one that focuses on the face and expression. A good portrait aims to capture not only the likeness but also something of the subject's character.
A landscape painting shows natural scenery such as mountains, fields, rivers or skies. The land usually fills most of the picture, and artists often use it to explore light, weather and a sense of space.
A still life is a painting of arranged inanimate objects, such as fruit, flowers, bottles or everyday items. Because the objects do not move, the artist can study shape, colour, light and shadow in detail.
The primary colours in painting are red, yellow and blue. They cannot be made by mixing other colours, but mixing them together in different combinations can produce a wide range of other colours, called secondary and tertiary colours.