A

abstract art
Any art in which the depiction of real objects has been subordinated or discarded in favour of patterns, lines and colour.

acid-free foam board
A board made of foamed plastic (polystyrene) material sandwiched between coated paper from which the acids have been removed or have been chemically neutralized to raise the pH level above 7 (alkaline).

acid-free
A vague term, referring to a material with a pH of 7 or higher. Sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for alkaline or buffered material. Some acidic materials are chemically neutralized with the addition of alkaline products; other materials are processed to remove the acid-producing elements. (Acid-free materials may become acidic over time due to residual chlorine from bleaching, aluminium sulfate from sizing or atmospheric pollutants.)

acid-free corrugated cardboard
Corrugated board that has been rendered acid-free; may be lignin free and/or buffered to raise the pH to 7 or above (alkaline). Used as a backing board or for making sturdy storage containers for paper art, textiles or other unframed pieces which should be stored in acid-free atmospheres.

acrylic box
A box-like cover constructed from clear acrylic sheet.

acrylic paint
Artists’ colours made by polymerising a methyl methacrylate by emulsification, thus dispersing the resin into tiny particles in water. This fluid is used for a base in compounding polymer colours. Acrylic colours are water soluble when wet, but dry to an insoluble film. Colours are bright, dry quickly and are flexible.

acrylic painting
An artwork executed with acrylic paint.

air brush
An instrument, powered by compressed air, used to spray paint with delicate control and precision. Paint (usually a fine water colour) is held in a small cup attached to the side of the pen-like instrument. Paint is drawn through the "brush" by the Venturi effect. The result is characterized by a very smooth, even texture and unbroken tonal gradations.

animation cel
A clear plastic sheet onto which a drawing is copied, either by hand-inking or by a xerographic copier process. Coloured paints are applied to the reverse side. One or more cels may be placed over a painted background, which serves as a setting for the action. In animated movies and cartoons, twenty-four cels are required for each second of screen time. Cel is an abbreviation for Celluloid (trademark).

antiquing
A finishing technique used to give the appearance of age.

archival
Broadly used to describe materials that have the least harmful effects on the art being framed or stored and thus preserving such pieces for the longest period of time.

art
A form of human activity created primarily as an aesthetic expression, especially, but not limited to drawing, painting and sculpture.

artisan
A skilful craftsman. One skilled in an applied art.

artist’s proof
Historically, it was a print retained by the artist for his/her own use or sale. It may bear the designation A/P.

B

barn wood
Rough, heavily grained wood with the texture and colouring of weathered wood, as on a barn.

Baroque
An extremely elaborate and ornate artistic style. This dynamic, theatrical style dominated art and architecture in Europe during the 17th Century.

bas-relief
A sculptural relief technique in which the projection of the forms is relatively shallow.

batik
Originated in Java; a method of dyeing textiles. Wax is applied to sections of material which are to remain uncoloured; the dyes do not penetrate wax. Once dyed, the wax can be removed by various methods, one of which is boiling. Repeated waxing and dyeing results in colourful patterns. The lines typically found in batiks are produced by cracking the hardened wax before applying the dye.

bevel
Cutting or shaping the edge or end of a material to form an angle that is not a right angle, such as the bevel cut on the window edge of a mat.

birch
A tree that grows in northern countries. The wood is hard and pale brownish yellow in colour, dense and somewhat heavy. Even though hard, it is easy to carve. Birch bark is waterproof because of its natural waxes.

bird’s eye maple
A North American hardwood valued for cabinet work and frame molding. The hard, strong, heavy, close grained wood is beautifully patterned. This wood of the sugar maple is characterized by a wavy grain causing bird’s eye like markings.

botanical
Having to do with plants, most often used in reference to artwork depicting plants or flowers.

bottom mat
In multiple mat combinations, that mat which is nearest the art.

bubble-pack
Lightweight plastic sheet packaging material with air filled pockets.

bumper pad
Small self-adhesive pad, made of rubber, cork or felt, used on the bottom corners of the dust cover or back of a frame to hold the frame away from the wall at the bottom, allowing air to circulate. Also steadies the frame on the wall.

C

canvas
1) A heavy woven fabric usually of cotton or linen, used as a support for a painting. The surface is prepared for painting by applying gesso or rabbit skin glue. 2) Interlocked or woven fibres used as the ground material for needle art.

canvas board
Common gray cardboard or pasteboard to which a white cotton cloth, prepared for painting, has been glued or pasted.

canvas pliers
Heavy pliers with elongated jaws for grasping the edges of a piece of canvas when stretching it onto a stretcher frame. A square extension at the middle of the lower jaw is called the hammer; its most important function is to supply leverage against the back of the stretcher bar.

canvas transfer
A process which lifts the image on a print off the paper support so that it can be transferred to a canvas mount.

cast(ing)
To form into a particular shape by pouring fluid matter into a mould and allowing it to harden, such as making a picture frame ornament.

cast paper
Paper made by pressing the pulp into a die or mould used for casting or shaping, becoming a work of art in and of itself.

catalogue raisonné
A catalogue which chronicles all known works of an artist, along with pertinent details on each piece.

cherry
A tree that grows in the northern hemisphere; the wood is hard and light weight. It is golden brown in colour with a hint of green. It can be easily distinguished from other brownish woods by its golden sheen.

chestnut
American: A hardwood tree that grows in the northeastern United States; the wood is coarse in texture, moderately light and strong. It is greyish brown or brown in colour. It seasons well and is easily worked with tools.

chipboard
A board made entirely from recycled paper products, containing a variety of impurities. It is an inexpensive mounting and backing board for non-conservation/preservation framing.

chop
(v) To cut picture frame molding, usually at a 45 degree angle, to the length needed for a frame.
(n) The length of molding cut for a picture frame.

chop mark
A small embossed seal or impression on a print, generally indicating the printer or artist.

cibachrome
A colour photograph based on the silver dye-bleach system. The necessary colours (azo dyes) are built into the emulsion layers. These colours are bleached out where not needed during developing. Azo dyes produce more brilliant colours and have greater stability and resistance to light than any other current process. Ilford has renamed its process Ilfochrome.

clear glass
Glass made with a smooth or polished surface on both sides. It is not etched, coated or laminated.

climate control
The control of temperature and relative humidity to produce an environment with little fluctuation, ideally 50 percent relative humidity and 70 degrees F.

clip frame
Generic for a method of framing. A set of clips used to hold the glazing, art and backing together for display. Generally made of metal and not to be confused with braquettes or uni-frames.

coated paper
Paper treated with clay or other adhesive mixture to improve the finish for printing, colour, smoothness or other surface property. This also includes lacquered and varnished papers. (29)

collage
Artwork created by securing pieces of paper, fabric or other materials onto a substrate. Though basically two-dimensional, it may have a sculptural effect.

colour
1) Used to refer to perceived qualities that result from the response of vision to the wavelength of reflected or transmitted light. 2) Describes images that have hues, as opposed to black, white and gray tones only and the processes used to make them.

colour wheel
A spectrum of colours placed in a circle including the three primary colours: red, yellow and blue, and the secondary colours: orange, green and purple. Colours opposite each other on the wheel are complementary colours.

complementary colours
Colours which are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel, e.g., red and green, blue and orange.

compo
Relief ornaments made from a mixture of whiting, oil, resin and animal hide glue. Pliable when heated, self-adhesive when wet and hard when set.

composition
The arrangement of elements, shapes and colours in a work of art.

conservation (preservation)
In framing, it is the careful maintenance and protection of works of art.
In conservation (preservation) framing, using materials and procedures that will have no adverse effects on a piece of artwork and will protect the artwork from external damage.

copyright
Exclusive rights to reproduce, sell and distribute a work, prepare derivative works and display the work publicly.

corner samples
Short molding lengths mitered and joined to form a corner. Used as visual aids during the framing design process. Also referred to as chevrons.

CPF
Certified Picture Framer. One who has passed the Professional Picture Framers Association’s certification examination.

D

deckle edge
The feathery edge of a sheet of handmade paper, caused by the deckle or frame which confines the pulp to the mould. Also present on some machine-made papers, caused by the rubber deckle straps at the sides of the paper machine.

découpage
Decoration of a surface by covering it completely with cut out paper forms. The process used in making collages.

design
1) The selection and arrangement of the formal elements in a work of art; the expression of the artist’s conception in terms of a composition.

diptych
1) A set of two prints making one complete image. 2) An ancient writing tablet consisting of two pieces of wood or ivory hinged together, with the inner sides waxed for writing on with a stylus.

dry cleaning pad
A soft cloth bag filled with erasing powder. Used for removing dirt and smudges on mat board and paper.

E

edition
The total number of copies printed from the same plates or blocks and published about the same time.

embellish(ing)
To beautify by ornamentation.

emboss(ing)
An embellishment raised in relief from the surface.

enamel
1) A glossy substance, usually opaque, applied by fusion to the surface or metal, pottery, etc., as an ornament or for protection. 2) Any of various enamel-like varnishes or paints.

engraving
Lines cut into a plate by hand with a steel burin or graver; no acid is used. The metal which is displaced in cutting is smoothed with a scraper which results in crisp, meticulous lines. Then the entire plate is thoroughly inked, with care taken to force the ink down into all of the lines, completely filling them. The surface is wiped clean, leaving the incised lines filled. A press is used to transfer the image onto paper.

etching
A printing process. A metal plate is covered with an acid-resisting ground. The design is scratched through this ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in an acid bath, causing the scratched or exposed areas to be eaten away. The plate is wiped clean, inked and the higher surfaces cleaned again, allowing the ink to remain in the incised areas. A press is then used to transfer the image onto paper. (n) Art work so executed.