Glossary
In the following we would like to explain a few important basic terms briefly and concisely so that orientation in our online shop is as easy as possible for you. If you are looking for more detailed explanations of the various techniques, you will find detailed text in our section Techniques.
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Edition
In the case of printed graphics, the print run refers to the entirety of the printed images from one printing plate. Towards the end of the 19th century, the numbering of the sheets was established, whereby, for example, the numbering 1/100 means that this is the first impression of a total of 100 impressions. -
Watercolor
Unique, created by the artist with watercolours on paper. The special feature is that watercolours are not opaque and the painting ground shines through. -
Aquatint
Printing technique; sub-form of etching, in which the printing plate is covered with a layer of dust and only the spaces between the dust grains are etched, resulting in a flat black tone. -
Pencil
Drawing medium with mostly black, shiny line. Since about 1790 widely spread by mixing graphite and clay, which was cheaper and offered a wider range of variations. -
Prints
Reproduction process in which several identical images can be printed from a carrier plate. Quality and design features differ depending on the carrier material and the processing technique. -
Printing plate / Plate
Substrate, e.g. kufper, wood or metal, to which the image design is applied and later reprinted on paper. -
Spring
Drawing tool in various widths, to be used with liquid color materials such as ink. -
Gouache
Painting medium made of colour pigments, which in contrast to watercolours is mixed with chalk and is therefore covering and strong. -
Woodcut
Printing technique in which several copies of the image are printed on paper from a processed wooden plate. Negative printing process, more widespread in Europe since around 1400, in which only the parts that are not cut away and thus stand out are blackened and printed. -
Coal
One of the oldest drawing media made of burnt wood with a rather dull and grey line. -
Chalk
Since the 15th century, widely used drawing tool that offers a wide range of possible variations of the stroke.
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copperplate engraving
Printing technique in which several copies of the image are printed on paper from a processed metal plate. Here the drawing is scratched directly into the copper plate with a tool and the resulting trenches are filled with printing ink. -
Lithography
Printing technique in which several copies of the image are printed on paper from a processed stone plate. The drawing is applied directly to a special stone. The ink adheres by chemical repulsion of grease and water. Lithography allows a nearly loss-free transfer of the drawing into the print and comes closest to the process of drawing. -
Oil
Unique piece, created by the artist with oil paint on various surfaces such as canvas, wood, metal, paper or cardboard. Colour pigments are bound with oil and are not water soluble, thickly applied and covering. Since the middle of the 19th century industrial production and distribution in tubes.
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Etching
Printing technique in which several copies of the image are printed on paper from a processed metal plate. The drawing is done by scratching into a specially coated metal plate. The parts of the plate thus exposed by removing the protective layer are later eroded by acid and the depressions are filled with ink and printed. Often the plate is still worked on directly with an etching needle, which is then called "dry point etching". -
Ink
Collective term for a liquid drawing and painting medium that is applied with a pen or brush. Ink can occur in different colours depending on its composition. Typical colours are black and brown.
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Drawing
Unique, created by the artist with pencil, ink, charcoal or other drawing material mostly on paper.
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