Glossary of Terms

A substance that binds pigment particles together and allows the paint to adhere to the support. The type of binder influences the paint’s appearance, texture, transparency, and behavior as it dries. Examples include Arabic gum, egg yolk, glue, emulsions, and resins.

Water-based, opaque colors with a high or very high pigment concentration, producing uniform, matte surfaces.

A painting technique in which gouache colors are used to create opaque surfaces, intense colors, and a matte finish.

A thick, malleable material generally made from a mixture of acrylic binders, mineral fillers, and additives, used to create relief, volume, and texture on the surface of an artwork. It can be applied in varying thicknesses and, once dry, forms a solid surface that can be painted or further finished.

Coloring substances obtained from natural sources, such as minerals, earths, plants, or other materials found in nature, used to provide color in painting.

Coloring substances produced through chemical processes and used in the preparation of paints. They allow for a wide range of colors with controlled intensity, purity,

Colors made from pigments and a binder that dry to a matte finish, giving colors an intense and velvety appearance.

A painting technique in which tempera paints are applied to build up color, texture, and expressiveness. Applying successive layers allows for subtle variations in tone, density, and transparency.

Gold leaf made from 24-karat pure gold, without alloying metals, with an intense golden tone and natural glow.

Gold leaf made from 22-karat gold, with a warm, luminous yellow tone.

Gold leaf made from 22-karat gold, with a delicate, light pink-copper tone and a subtly cool, luminous appearance. Available following eight years of research and testing, since 2021.

Gold leaf made from 22-karat gold, with a warm rose tone created by the specific composition of the alloy. Available following eight years of research and testing, since 2021.

Gold leaf made from 12-karat white gold, with a light, cool tone and a subtle metallic appearance.

An extremely thin sheet of genuine gold, available in different purities and shades, used to create radiant and reflective surfaces. Standard size: 8 × 8 cm.

An extremely thin sheet made from pure silver, with a purity of 1000/000, used to create reflective surfaces with a metallic appearance.

Metal leaf containing no gold, made from an alloy of base metals to reproduce the visual appearance of gold. It requires protective treatment to prevent oxidation and changes in appearance over time.

Metal leaf containing no silver, made from aluminum to reproduce the visual appearance of silver. It requires protective treatment to prevent oxidation and changes in appearance over time.

Canvas stretched and secured over a wooden frame, known as a stretcher frame, which provides the structural support for the artwork.

A rigid cardboard support covered with canvas, providing the appearance of a traditional canvas in a lighter and thinner format.

Canvas made from natural cotton fibers, commonly used as a painting support. The capillary action within natural cotton fibres ensures rapid, even color settling for a gallery quality finish.

A rigid wooden or MDF panel prepared as a painting support, used particularly for icon-style artworks.

Canvas made from natural linen fibers, valued for its strength, stability, and distinctive texture.

A rigid support made from compressed wood fibers, with a smooth and stable surface suitable for painting.

A flexible support made from cellulose pulp, used for artworks created with techniques and materials suitable for application on paper.

A rigid wooden support prepared for the application of the layers and materials required to create an artwork.

A lightweight tropical African hardwood with a fine, even grain, frequently used for stretcher frames and canvas frames because of its low weight and ease of processing.

A lightweight and stable wood frequently used to make stretcher frames and frames for artworks.

A frame made from synthetic material, used to protect and present an artwork.

A frame made of wood, used to protect and present an artwork.

A transparent protective layer based on acrylic resins, used to protect the surface and preserve the appearance of the artwork.

A surface that has been treated with a layer of primer before the application of color or paint. Priming prepares the support for painting, improving paint adhesion and helps create an even and consistent surface for the artwork.

A natural resin used as a preparatory or protective coating for surfaces, forming a transparent film when dry.

A transparent protective layer made from synthetic materials, used to protect the surface of an artwork.

An artwork to which no final varnish has been applied, leaving the surface in its original state.

A transparent coating applied over an artwork to protect its surface and help preserve its colors and materials.

An artwork covered with a transparent protective coating that helps protect the surface and preserve the appearance of the colors over time.

An inner cardboard frame placed between the artwork and the outer frame, creating visual space between the artwork and the glass.

A material that contains no acids, which can contribute to the deterioration of paper and other art materials over time.

An international standard for paper and board that are resistant to aging and suitable for the long-term preservation of documents and artworks.

A material with a neutral level of acidity, selected to reduce the risk of material degradation over time.

Certification indicating that wood or wood-based material comes from responsibly managed sources.

A designation indicating that a product is made from a combination of materials from certified, recycled, and/or controlled sources.

Certification indicating that the wood comes from forests managed according to FSC standards for environmental and social responsibility.

An international standard for quality management that establishes requirements for the processes an organization uses to maintain and continuously improve quality.

Certification indicating that the material comes from a supply chain that has been assessed to help prevent the financing of armed conflicts.

Certification that helps verify the origin and traceability of wood throughout the supply chain.

An international forest certification system that promotes sustainable and responsible forest management.

Specially treated glass designed to reduce reflections and allow clearer viewing of the artwork.

Standard flat glass with a uniform surface, used to protect framed artworks.

High-quality glass designed for the protection and presentation of artworks, offering reduced reflections and high transparency.

An Artist’s Proof is a print reserved for the artist from a limited edition, produced under the same conditions and to the same quality standard as the final edition. Artist’s Proofs are marked AP and are not included in the total number of prints in the edition.

Cotton paper is paper made entirely or primarily from cotton fibers. These fibers provide a high-quality printing surface, stability, and durability over time, making cotton paper widely used for photographic prints and works of art.

Giclée is a high-resolution printing technique used for the faithful reproduction of photographic images. The process uses professional inkjet printing with archival-quality pigment inks on high-quality paper specifically designed for art printing.

A limited edition is a series of prints produced in a predetermined and finite number of copies. Each print is numbered, dated, and hand-signed by the artist.

Textured cotton paper is paper made from cotton fibers with a visibly and tactilely textured surface. The texture adds depth and character to the printed image, creating a distinctive visual and tactile experience inspired by the qualities of an original work of art.