Painting Terms

Look smart with key painting terms

You don't have to have an art history degree to be able to appreciate art and discuss paintings. However, learning a few key terms will help you express yourself better.

Types of paintings

Not all paintings are the same. To produce unique looks, artists might use different paints or techniques. Here's some basic information on two popular types of paintings.

Oil Paintings: These paintings use oil-based paints that are created by adding pigments to oils like linseed, poppy seed, or even walnut oil. Oil paintings are popular because of the variety of colors and textural effects that can be created with this type of paint.

Watercolor Paintings: Unlike oil paintings, watercolor paintings are created using paints that are water-based. Artists that prefer creating watercolor paintings typically cite easy clean-up and quick dry times as reasons.

Artists to know

There are many talented artists that have created famous paintings. Here are just a few of those talented artists and some of their famous paintings. 

Leonardo da Vinci Paintings: Born in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci paintings are reflective of the Renaissance time period. Some of the more popular Leonardo da Vinci paintings include Last Supper and Mona Lisa.

Salvador Dali Paintings: This Spanish artist was born in 1904 and not only created paintings, but also sculptures. As a Surrealist, Salvador Dali paintings are known for their peculiar imagery. Some of the more famous Salvador Dali paintings include The Persistence of Memory, Allegorie de soie, and Person At The Window.

Pablo Picasso Paintings: Another Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso was born in 1881. Petite Fleurs, Nude And Still-life, and Girl Before A Mirror are some of the popular Pablo Picasso paintings.

Describing famous paintings

In order to discuss famous paintings like Pablo Picasso paintings it's helpful to be able to determine how to categorize them. The following terms might be useful when discussing paintings.

Portrait painting: From simple headshots to full-length images, a portrait painting is an accurate representation of the model. However, it is not uncommon for a portrait painting to provide insights into the model's personality. One of Leonardo da Vinci paintings, the Mona Lisa, is a great example of a portrait painting.

Abstract paintings: These paintings use shapes and colors to create an alternative of the object or person's real appearance. Some of the more famous abstract paintings fall into the Cubist or Futurist movements.

Landscape paintings: Typically images of mountains, rivers, and sky dominate landscape paintings, but weather also can be the subject.

More information on paintings