Lamps Department
Stone Carving Tools
Styles & Periods
Purchase Guides
I was very pleased with the product but I was especially pleased with the customer service.
Joanne Erie, PA
altered proportion
A technique used by an artist to change the size relationship of shapes in an artwork.
A method of shaping plastic sheet over a solid relief pattern. The plastic is heated until it is pliable, and when a vacuum is created under the form, the plastic is drawn down onto the pattern like a skin.
An element of art that describes the lightness or darkness of a color. Value is an especially important element in works of art when color is absent. This is particularly likely with drawings, woodcuts, lithographs, and photographs. It is also true with most sculpture and architecture.
value scale
A series of spaces filled with the tints and shades of one color, starting with white or the lightest tint on one end, and gradually changing into the darkest shade or black on the other. An example of a value scale can be seen in the article on value.
In linear perspective, the place on the horizon where parallel lines seem to meet.
A protective transparent finish applied in a liquid state to a surface. One example is glair-- a varnish for tempera paints.
See Also: acrylic paint, oil paint, medium, pigment, polymer, shellac
A stone roof shaped in a variation of an arch. There are several types of vaults, including the barrel, corbel, cross, and groin vaults.
Example: Durham Cathedral, England, begun c. 1093 is built with pier-vaults.
Something that moves things around. In the visual arts, usually the liquid, usually water or oil, that is mixed with pigments to make paints, dyes, and inks.
Fine parchment, originally calf-skin, used traditionally for manuscript.
The thin slice of a material-- often of a rare and expensive material-- applied, generally with an adhesive, but also (and sometimes only) with pins, to a surface of a humbler material. Ebony, rosewood, tulipwood and other exotic woods are more often used as veneers in furniture-making than they are used in a solid form. Most wood veneer is sliced rather than sawn, and taken from a log in a continuously spiraling (voluting) cut, and then flattened. Because of concern that such veneer may be more likely to curl away from its placement, some feel that flatly sawn veneer is preferable. Sawn veneer however, because the saw destroys as much wood as the veneer it produces, is much more expensive. Brass, copper, ivory, mother-of-pearl, pewter, and tortoiseshell can also be used and are often combined with such woods. Semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli and malachite (also used for inlay) are sometimes employed as a veneer, as are the more showy types of calcite alabaster. Veneering is more easily achieved on a flat surface, but thin slices of wood can be bent, for example into the hollow of a molding. Stone cannot be bent, so its veneering on curved or complex forms is particularly difficult. Also see cladding, intarsia, laminate, marquetry, mosaic, and parquet.
Venice turpentine
Canada balsam, an oily resin or balsam obtained from conifers.
See Also: turpentine
The highest point; the apex or summit. The point at which the sides of an angle intersect. The point on a triangle or pyramid opposite to and farthest away from its base. A point on a polyhedron common to three or more sides. The plural form can be either vertexes or vertices.
Going straight up and down; the opposite of horizontal. A vertical sculpture is taller than it is wide. Portraits are conventionally vertical in their orientation, while landscapes are most often horizontal. Any orientation neither vertical nor horizontal is diagonal.
A hollow container, such as a cup, bowl, or vase, for holding something. Its parts include its foot or base, its walls and opening, its rim or lip, and sometimes: shoulders, neck, lid, handle, etc.
A small window cut in a piece of paper or card that shows what will be in a picture's composition. Or, a window seen through a camera which shows an approximation of a picture the camera would photograph Viewfinders.
The relative resistance of a liquid to stirring or movement, and its stickiness.
vitrify
To change materials into glass or a glass-like substance through heat fusion. This is the action of a kiln heating ceramic clay and glazes, for instance. A curious example: lightning striking a metal rod partly buried in sand will cause all the sand within a certain distance from the rod to vitrify.
See Also: ceramics, firing, glass
Containing no matter; empty, negative space.
Rapidly evaporating (as are many solvents). Or, tending to vary often or widely; inconstant. Or, capable of quickly becoming violent. (pr. vah"leh-tl')
Refers to the space within a form. Thus, in architecture, volume refers to the space within a building.
Sceptre Gold II Short Handled Brushes
by Winsor & Newton
I am using these brushes to paint HO scale people with oil paint. With using some 75 different colors and shades I give these brushes years of abuse in a couple weeks. As I paint 2-3 pants or shirts and then wash the brush, change colors to do other parts of clothing, bags, and skin tone etc. A brush is used 10-15 times a day with thinner washes. These brushes carry the paint extremely well, stay in shape, and clean easily. I abuse my brushes by constant dipping in oil paint and then washing and rubbing them clean(with standard paint thinner). They hold up, last longer and the price at this site makes using them reasonable as I pitch them when they eventually wear out. A GREAT SMALL BRUSH!!!!
- model builder Bill in Alstead, NH 03602
Bamboo Brush Holder
by Yasutomo
This brush has beautiful craftsmanship.
- Anita D in NE Indiana
Loctite Epoxy Putty
by Henkel
Used to bond joints on a disassembled medium-sized ceramic sculpture. Within fifteen minutes on sheer glass, outstretched limbs could support themselves. Sculpture has survived three car rides, mild thermal shock, and can be spun on a table with complete confidence. Very thick, moves exactly like moldable clay. Highly recommend for ceramic sculpture, small to mid-size sculpture, and sculptural repair at weight-bearing points.
- AK Ceramicist in Alaska
Free Download for Kids
Download FREE coloring
book pages to color at
home or school.
View Pages »