Which term describes the application of oil paint layers with increasing oil content to prevent cracking?
Fat-over-lean—each successive layer contains more oil, making it more flexible than the layer beneath.
What distinguishes a linocut from a woodcut print?
Linoleum’s uniform texture allows smoother cuts and lacks wood grain, resulting in softer marks.
What is the primary function of gesso on a canvas?
It seals and primes the surface, providing tooth and preventing paint from soaking into fibers.
Which printmaking process uses acid to bite lines into a metal plate?
Etching—the artist covers a metal plate with a ground, draws through it, then submerges it in acid.
In ceramics, what firing removes chemically bound water from clay?
Bisque firing—typically Cone 04 (~1940 °F)—drives off all chemically combined water before glazing.
What happens if glaze and clay body have mismatched coefficients of expansion?
Crazing or shivering—cracks or flaking appear because the glaze contracts or expands differently from the clay.
Why should painters follow the rule ‘fat over lean’?
To ensure upper layers remain more flexible; lean underlayers dry faster and support later oily layers.
Which drawing medium uses gum arabic as a binder?
Watercolor—pigment bound with gum arabic allows transparency and re-wetting.
What tool creates a fine mist of paint through compressed air?
An airbrush—used for smooth gradients and precise applications.
Which pigment property describes its resistance to light fading?
Lightfastness—the ability to resist photochemical deterioration over time.
What distinguishes a monotype from other printmaking methods?
A monotype yields a single unique impression; residual ink may produce only faint ghost prints.
When stretching canvas, why start stapling from the center of each side?
It balances tension evenly, preventing distortion or warping of the stretcher bars.
What is the safest solvent substitute for cleaning oil-painting brushes?
Citrus-based or odorless mineral spirits—less toxic than turpentine.
Which additive increases oil-paint transparency and gloss?
Linseed or stand oil mediums extend drying time and create a luminous glaze.
Which ceramic forming technique uses rolled flat clay sheets joined at edges?
Slab construction—creates angular forms and planar surfaces.
What sculptural method removes material to reveal the form?
Subtractive method—exemplified by stone or wood carving.
What is a common cause of bubbles in glaze?
Trapped gases from improper bisque firing or overly thick glaze layers.
Why must an artist wear a respirator when spraying fixative?
Aerosolized solvents and propellants are hazardous when inhaled.
How does ‘wet-on-wet’ watercolor differ from ‘wet-on-dry’?
Wet-on-wet creates diffused edges as pigments spread; wet-on-dry yields crisp defined marks.
Which printmaking process employs a fine screen and stencil?
Serigraphy (screen printing)—ink is forced through mesh openings using a squeegee.
Which metal is most commonly used for intaglio plates?
Copper—soft enough for engraving yet durable for multiple impressions.
What occurs if oil-paint layers are applied too thickly without adequate drying?
Wrinkling or cracking as the surface skin hardens while underlying paint remains wet.
Why is archival rag paper preferred for drawings?
It is acid-free and 100 % cotton fiber, preventing yellowing and deterioration.
