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
The famous painter created a self-portrait that now hangs in the museum
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 artist’s subject matter often revolves around nature and wildlife
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
The artist used different shades of blue to create a sense of depth in the painting
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
The calligraphy artist used black ink to write the poem
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
The artist prefers to work with oil paint for its vibrant colors and rich textures
Pronunciation:/ˈæbstrækt/
Part of speech: adjective (also noun)
Formal or informal: Both
Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)
Synonym: conceptual
Opposite: concrete
The artist’s abstract paintings were open to interpretation
Pronunciation:/ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
Part of speech: adjective
Formal or informal: Both
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Synonym: creative
Opposite: uncreative
The artistic style of the sculpture was admired by many
Pronunciation:/rɪəˈlɪstɪk/
Part of speech: adjective
Formal or informal: Both
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable
Synonym: lifelike
Opposite: unrealistic
The artist’s realistic portrayal of the landscape was breathtaking
Pronunciation:/ˈmɒdən/
Part of speech: adjective (also noun)
Formal or informal: Both
Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)
Synonym: contemporary
Opposite: ancient
The modern design of the building stood out in the cityscape
Pronunciation:/kənˈtɛmpərəri/
Part of speech: adjective (also noun)
Formal or informal: Both
Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)
Synonym: current
Opposite: historical
The museum featured an exhibit of contemporary art
Pronunciation:/ˈvɪʒʊəl/
Part of speech: adjective (also noun)
Formal or informal: Both
Countable or uncountable: Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)
Synonym: graphic
Opposite: auditory
The visual arts encompass a wide range of mediums
Pronunciation:/ˈvɪvɪd/
Part of speech: adjective (also adverb)
Formal or informal: Both
Countable or uncountable: Uncountable (abstract), countable (concrete)
Synonym: intense
Opposite: dull
The artist used vivid colors to bring the painting to life
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
The artist’s work continues to inspire new generations of painters
Pronunciation:/rɪˈstɔːr/
Part of speech: verb (also noun)
Formal or informal: Both
Synonyms:repair, fix
Opposite:deteriorate
The art restorer carefully worked to restore the damaged painting
Pronunciation: /ˈɑːtˌwɜːk/
Part of speech: noun
Formal or informal: Formal
Countable or uncountable: Countable
Stress marks: ˈɑːtˌwɜːk
Synonym: art piece
Opposite: blank canvas
The museum displayed a new artwork by a local artist
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 background of the painting depicted a peaceful countryside
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 artist used bright colors to make the flowers stand out in the foreground
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
The art collector owned an impressive collection of paintings
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
The painting was considered a masterpiece of Renaissance art
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
The artist will exhibit her paintings at the gallery next month
Pronunciation:/ˈlændˌskeɪp/
Part of speech:/noun (also adjective)
Formal or informal:/Both
Countable or uncountable:/Countable (noun), uncountable (adjective)
Synonym:/scenery
Opposite:/cityscape
The artist captured the beauty of the landscape in his painting