Canvas Painting Painting Techniques and Brushwork

Question 1

What is the 'impasto' technique in canvas painting?

Accepted Answer

Applying thick, textured paint that stands off the canvas

Answer

Impasto is the technique of applying paint thickly so that brushstrokes or palette knife marks remain visible as texture.

Question 2

What is the 'wet-on-wet' technique in oil painting?

Accepted Answer

Applying wet paint directly into or onto still-wet paint

Answer

Wet-on-wet involves applying fresh paint into existing wet paint, allowing colors to blend directly on the canvas.

Question 3

What is 'scumbling' in canvas painting?

Accepted Answer

Dragging dry or semi-dry paint loosely over a dry layer

Answer

Scumbling drags a thin, dry layer of opaque or semi-opaque paint over a dried layer, partially obscuring it.

Question 4

What painting technique involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint over dried ones?

Accepted Answer

Glazing

Answer

Glazing applies translucent paint layers over a dry surface to modify color, value, or depth optically.

Question 5

What does 'alla prima' mean in canvas painting?

Accepted Answer

Completing a painting in one session while the paint is still wet

Answer

Alla prima (Italian for 'at first') means finishing the painting in a single session without waiting for layers to dry.

Canvas Painting Practice Test