Acrylic Texture Unit: Vocabulary

Term / Define / Illustration or Symbol to represent word
Heavy body / Acrylic paint that is very thick and paste-like
Soft body / Acrylic paint that is creamy and soft in consistency
Fluid / Acrylic that is thin and pours like a liquid
Medium / A paste that can be mixed with acrylic paint to increase thickness/body or add interesting textures. Sometimes these contain additions such as pumice, glass beads, or fibers. Usually opaque.
Gel / A gel that can be mixed with acrylic paint to increase thickness/body or add interesting textures. Sometimes these contain additions such as pumice, glass beads, or fibers. Usually transparent.
Varnish / A topcoat (can be matte or glossy) that seals in paint and helps to preserve the artists work.
Viscosity / Describes how thick or thin a paint is—whether it is heavy body, soft body, or fluid.
Lightfast / Describes how resistant to fading from light the paint/varnish is.
Opaque / Cannot be seen through
Transparent / Can be seen through; clear
Gesso / Usually a white or black primer paint used to prime a canvas before painting. Helps paint to go on more smoothly and get better coverage.
Invented Texture / Texture that is created by repeating lines and shapes in a two-dimensional pattern
Simulated Texture / The imitation of a real texture by using a two-dimensional pattern to create the illusion of a three-dimensional surface
Real/Actual Texture / Texture that can be perceived through touch