Art

Lesson 4

Self-portrait

Title: Self-portrait

Pronunciation:/ˈsɛlf-ˈpɔrt.rət/

Part of speech:noun (also adjective)

Irregular spelling and irregular forms:Plural form is self-portraits

Formal or informal:Both

Countable or uncountable:Countable

Synonym:self-portrayal

Opposite:portrait

 

A picture that you make of yourself, usually using a mirror;done by an artist to show what they looK

The famous painter created a self-portrait that now hangs in the museum

A picture that you make of yourself, usually using a mirror;done by an artist to show what they looK

Subject matter

Title: Subject matter

Pronunciation:/ˈsʌbdʒɪkt ˈmætər/

Part of speech:/noun (also adjective)

Formal or informal:/Both

Countable or uncountable:/Uncountable (abstract), countable (concrete)

Synonym:/theme

Opposite:/irrelevance

 

The things that are being talked about, considered, or studied

The artist’s subject matter often revolves around nature and wildlife

The things that are being talked about, considered, or studied

Shade

Title: Shade

Pronunciation:/ʃeɪd/

Part of speech:noun (also verb)

Irregular spelling and irregular forms:Plural form is shades (noun)

Formal or informal:Both

Countable or uncountable:Countable (noun), uncountable (verb)

Transitive or intransitive:Transitive (verb form)

Synonym:tint (noun), shadow (verb)

Opposite:light

a colour, especially with regard to how dark or light it is

The artist used different shades of blue to create a sense of depth in the painting

a colour, especially with regard to how dark or light it is

Ink

Title: Ink

Pronunciation:/ɪŋk/

Part of speech:/noun (also verb)

Formal or informal:/Both

Countable or uncountable:/Uncountable (abstract), countable (concrete)

Transitive or intransitive:/Transitive (verb form)

Synonym:/pigment (noun), mark (verb)

Opposite:/erase

 

a coloured liquid for writing, drawing, printing, etc.; to mark something with ink

The calligraphy artist used black ink to write the poem

a coloured liquid for writing, drawing, printing, etc.; to mark something with ink

Oil paint

Title: Oil paint

Pronunciation:/ɔɪl peɪnt/

Part of speech:/noun (also verb)

Formal or informal:/Both

Countable or uncountable:/Uncountable (abstract), countable (concrete)

Synonym:pigment (noun), cover (verb)

Opposite:bare

 

a type of paint that uses oils to hold the pigments together; to cover something with oil paint

The artist prefers to work with oil paint for its vibrant colors and rich textures

a type of paint that uses oils to hold the pigments together; to cover something with oil paint

Abstract

Title: Abstract

Pronunciation:/ˈæbstrækt/

Part of speech: adjective (also noun)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)

Synonym: conceptual

Opposite: concrete

 

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence

The artist’s abstract paintings were open to interpretation

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence

Artistic

Title: Artistic

Pronunciation:/ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Uncountable

Synonym: creative

Opposite: uncreative

 

Having or revealing natural creative skill

The artistic style of the sculpture was admired by many

Having or revealing natural creative skill

Realistic

Title: Realistic

Pronunciation:/rɪəˈlɪstɪk/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Uncountable

Synonym: lifelike

Opposite: unrealistic

Representing things in a way that is accurate and true to life

The artist’s realistic portrayal of the landscape was breathtaking

Representing things in a way that is accurate and true to life

Modern

Title: Modern

Pronunciation:/ˈmɒdən/

Part of speech: adjective (also noun)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)

Synonym: contemporary

Opposite: ancient

 

Relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past

The modern design of the building stood out in the cityscape

Relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past

Contemporary

Title: Contemporary

Pronunciation:/kənˈtɛmpərəri/

Part of speech: adjective (also noun)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)

Synonym: current

Opposite: historical

 

Living or occurring at the same time; a person living at the same time as another

The museum featured an exhibit of contemporary art

Living or occurring at the same time; a person living at the same time as another

Visual

Title: Visual

Pronunciation:/ˈvɪʒʊəl/

Part of speech: adjective (also noun)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)

Synonym: graphic

Opposite: auditory

 

relating to seeing or sight;a picture,piece of film,or display used to illustrate or accompany smth

The visual arts encompass a wide range of mediums

relating to seeing or sight;a picture,piece of film,or display used to illustrate or accompany smth

Vivid

Title: Vivid

Pronunciation:/ˈvɪvɪd/

Part of speech: adjective (also adverb)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Uncountable (abstract), countable (concrete)

Synonym: intense

Opposite: dull

 

producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind;in a way that is very clear,powerful

The artist used vivid colors to bring the painting to life

producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind;in a way that is very clear,powerful

To inspire

Title: To inspire

Pronunciation:/ɪnˈspaɪər/

Part of speech: verb (also noun)

Irregular spelling and irregular forms: Plural form is inspires (verb)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (verb)

Transitive or intransitive: Transitive (verb form)

Synonym: motivate

Opposite: discourage

 

to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it; a sudden brilliant, creative

The artist’s work continues to inspire new generations of painters

to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it; a sudden brilliant, creative

To restore

Title: To restore

Pronunciation:/rɪˈstɔːr/

Part of speech: verb (also noun)

Formal or informal: Both

Synonyms:repair, fix

Opposite:deteriorate

 

To bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish; to bring back to a former, original

The art restorer carefully worked to restore the damaged painting

To bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish; to bring back to a former, original

Artwork

Title: Artwork

Pronunciation: /ˈɑːtˌwɜːk/

Part of speech: noun

Formal or informal: Formal

Countable or uncountable: Countable

Stress marks: ˈɑːtˌwɜːk

Synonym: art piece

Opposite: blank canvas

 

A piece of art such as a painting or sculpture

The museum displayed a new artwork by a local artist

A piece of art such as a painting or sculpture

Background

Title: Background

Pronunciation: /ˈbækˌɡraʊnd/

Part of speech: noun (also adjective)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)

Stress marks: ˈbækˌɡraʊnd

Synonym: backdrop

Opposite: foreground

 

The part of a picture or scene that is behind the main objects or people

The background of the painting depicted a peaceful countryside

The part of a picture or scene that is behind the main objects or people

Foreground

Title: Foreground

Pronunciation: /ˈfɔːrˌɡraʊnd/

Part of speech: noun (also adjective)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)

Stress marks: ˈfɔːrˌɡraʊnd

Synonym: forefront

Opposite: background

 

the part of a picture or scene that is nearest to the person looking at it

The artist used bright colors to make the flowers stand out in the foreground

the part of a picture or scene that is nearest to the person looking at it

Collector

Title: Collector

Pronunciation: /kəˈlɛktər/

Part of speech: noun

Irregular spelling and irregular forms: Plural form is collectors

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable

Stress marks: kəˈlɛktər

Synonym: gatherer

Opposite: donor

 

A person who collects things of a particular type, either as a hobby or as an investment

The art collector owned an impressive collection of paintings

A person who collects things of a particular type, either as a hobby or as an investment

Masterpiece

Title: Masterpiece

Pronunciation:/ˈmɑːstərˌpiːs/

Part of speech: noun

Irregular spelling and irregular forms: Plural form is masterpieces

Formal or informal: Formal

Countable or uncountable: Countable

Stress marks:/ˈmɑːstərˌpiːs/

Synonym: magnum opus

Opposite: failure

 

A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship

The painting was considered a masterpiece of Renaissance art

A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship

Exhibit

Title: Exhibit

Pronunciation:/ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/

Part of speech: verb (also noun)

Irregular spelling and irregular forms: Plural form is exhibits (noun)

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (verb)

Transitive or intransitive: Transitive (verb form)

Stress marks:/ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/

Synonym:/display (verb), display (noun)

Opposite:/conceal

 

to show something publicly, or to have it on show, especially in a museum or art gallery

The artist will exhibit her paintings at the gallery next month

to show something publicly, or to have it on show, especially in a museum or art gallery

Landscape

Title: Landscape

Pronunciation:/ˈlændˌskeɪp/

Part of speech:/noun (also adjective)

Formal or informal:/Both

Countable or uncountable:/Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)

Synonym:/scenery

Opposite:/cityscape

 

A painting, photograph, drawing, etc. of a natural scene, often including mountains, rivers, trees

The artist captured the beauty of the landscape in his painting

A painting, photograph, drawing, etc. of a natural scene, often including mountains, rivers, trees