Glossary of Art Terms - Jackson's Art Blog

June 02,2024

Acrylic Gesso A primer which dries with a coarser texture (or ‘tooth’) than regular acrylic primer. Acrylic gesso can be sanded down if desired. It is made from a mixture of chalk and pigment (usually titanium white), bound in a 100% acrylic emulsion binder. It can be used as a ground for both acrylic and oil painting. Acrylic Ink High-fluidity acrylic colour, made from pigment suspended in an acrylic based vehicle. It is usually sold in glass bottles, often with a pipette. Acrylic ink can be used in stamping, pen and wash, airbrush and drawing and painting. It is not re-wettable and is permanent and non-clogging. Acrylic Painting Block A stack of paper that has been specially prepared for acrylic painting (usually sprayed with acrylic primer), and glue bound on all 4 sides. A gap in the glue will be found on the corner or part of a side of the block, so that when the painting is finished and dry the top sheet can be separated from the block by running a clean palette knife around the underside of the sheet. A block is a lightweight support for acrylic painting that will not buckle during the painting