Canvas Painting Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Canvas Painting facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A classic oil painting glaze medium is traditionally made by combining: → Stand oil and mineral spirits
2. In canvas painting, what does 'chroma' refer to? → The intensity or saturation of a color
3. Acrylic glazing liquid is formulated specifically to: → Create thin, transparent layers over dried paint
4. Which painting by Picasso is considered a pioneering work of Cubism, depicting five angular female figures? → Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
5. What compositional concept does 'framing' refer to in a canvas painting? → Using elements within the scene to frame or border the main subject
6. What is the advantage of using a mahl stick when painting fine details on canvas? → It steadies the painting hand to prevent smudging wet areas
7. Which primary color must be mixed to achieve a secondary purple? → Red and blue
8. What is 'blooming' in the context of varnishing a canvas painting? → A milky haze on the varnish surface caused by moisture or humidity
9. Why is it important to stretch canvas tightly over the frame before priming? → To prevent sagging and ensure an even painting surface
10. What is masking tape used for in canvas painting? → Creating clean, sharp edges and protecting areas
11. What is a complementary color pair on the color wheel? → Red and green
12. What is a drawing created using a pen or pencil? → drawing
13. Why should you avoid getting paint up into the ferrule of a brush? → It dries and splays the bristles, shortening brush life
14. What does 'repetition' do for a canvas composition? → Creates rhythm and visual unity by repeating shapes, colors, or patterns
15. Salvador Dalí's 'The Persistence of Memory' is best known for depicting what? → Melting clocks
16. Why is it important to clean the canvas surface before varnishing? → Dust and grease trapped under varnish create bumps and adhesion problems
17. What does 'cropping' a composition in canvas painting achieve? → Focusing on the most interesting part of a scene by cutting off less important areas
18. What is 'scumbling' in canvas painting? → Dragging dry or semi-dry paint loosely over a dry layer
19. Which painting by Claude Monet gave the Impressionist movement its name? → Impression, Sunrise
20. What is the 'ferrule' on a paintbrush? → The metal band holding bristles to the handle
21. What tool is best for sanding between gesso coats on canvas? → Fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit)
22. What is the purpose of applying gesso to a canvas before painting? → To prime the surface and seal the fabric
23. Which pigment quality describes how transparent or opaque a paint is on canvas? → Transparency
24. What is the purpose of underpainting? → Establish values and composition before adding color
25. Edward Hopper's 'Nighthawks' depicts people sitting in what kind of setting? → A late-night diner
26. Which technique uses a nearly dry brush to create a broken, textured stroke? → Dry brushing
27. What painting technique involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint over dried ones? → Glazing
28. Which of these helps a beginner achieve correct proportions when painting from a reference? → Using a grid method
29. What is 'economy' as a compositional principle in canvas painting? → Including only essential elements and eliminating visual clutter
30. Which artist created the four-version painting 'The Scream'? → Edvard Munch