How to Describe Art With All the Relevant Vocabulary

Art may be one of your biggest passions in life, or it may not interest you at all, but either way, knowing how to describe art can elevate your English language skills. Describing a piece of artwork is more than just saying what you see; it’s about sharing the emotions, techniques, and meanings behind the art. This skill is especially useful for students who might need to describe a painting in their English exams. This requires knowing the right words to use to describe colors, textures, feelings, and more.

This article will help you learn all the necessary vocabulary and grammar to describe a painting clearly and effectively, including which tenses you need to use. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to describe any piece of art, whether you’re preparing for an exam or just want to talk about art with confidence.

How to describe a painting

When you see a piece of artwork for the first time, you should start by giving your first impressions. The things you should mention include the overall image, the style of painting, the art techniques used, as well as the colors and shapes you can see. Next, you can turn your attention to the deeper meaning. This includes the artist’s vision and intentions, as well as the effect it has on the audience and the way it makes you feel.

Vocabulary for describing art

Subject matter

Identifying the subject matter is as easy as saying what is in the painting. Is it an animal, a bowl of fruit, a vase of flowers, a night sky, a landscape, a skyline, or a portrait? It may seem like you’re stating the obvious, and that’s because you are.

Finding the words to describe a painting

Useful words to use when saying what’s in a painting are prepositional phrases to explain which part of the artwork you are speaking about. The way in which different elements of a piece of art are combined or arranged is called the composition.

• At the top
• At the bottom
• In the foreground
• In the background
• In the center
• On the left
• On the right
• In the top/bottom left-hand corner
• In the top/bottom right-hand corner

How to describe artwork: Painting styles

There are a huge number of painting styles, some of which you may have heard of, while others may only be easily identified by art connoisseurs. They each have their own unique characteristics.

• Realism: This style focuses on depicting subjects as they appear in real life, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Impressionism: It emphasizes light and color, often with visible brushstrokes, to capture a moment or feeling rather than fine details.
• Expressionism: This type of art, famously done by Edvard Munch, conveys emotions and subjective experiences, often using bold colors and distorted forms.
• Abstract: Abstract art uses shapes, colors, and forms to create a composition that does not represent reality.
• Surrealism: Combines realistic elements in unusual ways to create dreamlike, fantastical scenes, often exploring the unconscious mind. The most well-known surrealist artist is undoubtedly Salvador Dalí.
• Cubism: A style easily recognized in the art of Picasso, cubism breaks down subjects into geometric shapes and presents multiple viewpoints within the same composition.
• Fauvism: Features vivid, unnatural colors and simplified forms to express emotion, often with less emphasis on realistic detail, just like in the works of Matisse.
• Pop art: Draws on popular culture, using bright colors and commercial imagery, often with a sense of irony or commentary on consumerism.
• Minimalism: Strips art down to its essentials, focusing on simplicity, clean lines, and geometric forms.
• Photorealism: Aims to create paintings that resemble high-resolution photographs with meticulous attention to detail.
• Neo-expressionism: Revives the emotional intensity of expressionism with bold, raw imagery and often rough or gestural brushwork.
• Baroque: Known for its drama, movement, and rich detail, often using contrasts of light and shadow to enhance emotional impact, as seen in paintings by Rembrandt.
• Renaissance: Some of the most celebrated paintings in history are Renaissance art, including the works of Michelangelo and Da Vinci. It focuses on realism, proportion, and perspective, often depicting religious and mythological themes with great attention to detail.
• Symbolism: Mastered by Gustav Klimt, this style uses symbolic imagery to convey deeper meanings, emotions, or ideas, often focusing on mysticism and dreams.
• Art nouveau: Characterized by flowing lines, organic forms, and intricate patterns, often inspired by natural elements.
• Pointillism: A technique where small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image, relying on the viewer’s eye to blend them.

If you want to learn more about painting styles, you can delve deeper into romanticism, street art, gothic, and beyond.

How to describe an art piece: Art techniques

When describing a painting, if you are able to identify the techniques used by the artist, then you can show off your knowledge using the following vocabulary:

1. Blending: Mixing colors directly on the canvas or palette to create a smooth transition between colors, often used to create realistic gradients, shadows, and highlights.
2. Glazing: Applying thin, transparent layers of paint over a dried layer to build depth and luminosity, often used in oil painting to enhance colors.
3. Impasto: Applying thick layers of paint, often with a palette knife or brush, to create texture on the surface. This technique adds dimension and movement to a painting.
4. Scumbling: A technique where a thin or broken layer of opaque paint is applied over a dried layer, allowing some of the underlying color to show through, creating a soft, textured effect.
5. Dry brush: Using a brush with very little paint on it to create a scratchy, textured effect, often used to depict texture like grass, fur, or rough surfaces.
6. Underpainting: The initial layer of paint applied to a canvas that serves as a base for subsequent layers. It helps establish values and composition before adding details.
7. Pointillism: Applying small dots of color to create an image. The dots blend in the viewer’s eye to form colors and shapes, a technique famously used by Georges Seurat.
8. Sgraffito: Scratch through a layer of wet paint to reveal the layer underneath. This technique creates a textured, linear effect and is used to add detail and contrast. It is most used in architecture and ceramics.
9. Wet-on-Wet: Applying wet paint onto a wet surface, allowing colors to blend smoothly and spontaneously. This technique is common in watercolor and oil painting.
10. Grisaille: Painting in shades of gray or a monochromatic palette to create a sculptural effect. Often used as an underpainting technique or a finished piece on its own.

Adjectives to describe a painting: Colors

Colors are essential when describing a painting, but simply stating that a painting is “red” or “blue” isn’t going to show off your knowledge or give an accurate description of the artwork. Instead, you can use more descriptive adjectives to talk about a painting’s color palette and describe its color degradations.

• Bright
• Vibrant
• vivid
• Warm
• Cool
• Natural
• Earthy
• Rich
• Intense
• Deep
• Pale
• Muted
• Complementary
• Contrasting
• Dark
• Light
• Monochromatic

Words to describe how art makes you feel

As any art enthusiast will tell you, art isn’t just about the paint on a canvas. The emotions and meaning behind it are hugely important. When describing a painting, think about how it makes you feel. Firstly, do you like it? Does it make you feel happy, sad, angry, or something else? Do you feel like the artist is telling a story or sending a message? Remember, just because a piece of art is famous or world-renowned doesn’t mean you have to like it.

Let’s take a look at some words to describe the emotions that a painting might evoke.

Adjectives for positive emotions

• Joyful
• Calm
• Serene
• Inspired
• Peaceful
• Energized
• Nostalgic
• Comforted
• Amazed
• Hopeful

Adjectives for negative emotions

• Melancholic
• Somber
• Anxious
• Disturbed
• Overwhelmed
• Confused
• Gloomy
• Tense
• Sad
• Fearful

Other emotion adjectives for art

• Contemplative
• Mysterious
• Bittersweet
• Intrigued
• Ambiguous
• Reflective
• Longing
• Awestruck
• Eerie
• Yearning

These words can help convey the emotional impact of a painting, which can, in turn, provide a deeper understanding of its mood and atmosphere.

How to describe art and the meaning behind it

To describe an artist’s intentions or the hidden meaning of an artwork, you can first identify the theme by considering the main idea or message the artist is trying to convey. Next, try to notice any objects, colors, or elements that might symbolize something deeper. Consider the context, including the time period, culture, or events during which the artwork was made. Finally, having already reflected upon your own emotions, you may now understand why the artist wanted to evoke those feelings from viewers. These steps help reveal the deeper meaning or intention behind the artwork.

Example sentences:

The artist seems to explore themes of love and loss.

The use of a stormy sky might symbolize turmoil in the artist’s own life.

The poppies are a nod to the Second World War and the post-war period in which the art was painted.

The muted colors create a sense of calm, perhaps reflecting the artist’s desire for peace.

Why you need to know how to describe art

Being able to describe a painting is a useful skill for several reasons. Here are a few examples of why you should brush up on your English art vocabulary.

Preparing for exams

In subjects like English, Art, or History, you might need to describe a painting as part of an exam or assignment. Knowing how to accurately talk about colors, shapes, and emotions, as well as exploring the meaning behind a painting, can help you get better grades.

Personal development

Learning to describe art helps you think more deeply and express your thoughts clearly. It can improve your observational skills, vocabulary, and ability to explain ideas, which are useful skills in various areas of our lives.

Conversation practice

Describing a painting is a great way to practice speaking, especially when learning a new language. It helps you learn new words, practice using adjectives and tenses, and improve your overall communication skills.

A better appreciation of art

Being able to describe a painting helps you appreciate it more. You can understand the artist’s message, the emotions they are trying to convey, and the techniques they use. This makes looking at art more meaningful and enjoyable.

Social situations

Whether you’re at an art gallery, a museum, or talking with friends, being able to describe a painting helps you share your thoughts and engage in interesting conversations that you may have otherwise missed out on. It can also help you to meet new people beyond your usual friendship circle.

Overall, learning to describe a painting is a valuable skill that can help you in both academic settings and everyday life.

How you can learn art vocabulary

Learning vocabulary can seem like a tedious task, but it can, in fact, be fun. Using a language app with multiple-choice questions or a game-like interface can make English vocabulary seem entertaining. What’s more, you can awaken your competitive nature by competing with others or trying to beat your longest streak.

When you learn a new word, enter it into your Word Trainer in the LiveXP app. This helps you memorize vocabulary by showing you words with a spaced repetition method, thus adapting the frequency at which you see new words according to your progress. Once you’re confident using new vocabulary, try to implement it into conversation. The best way to do this is by having a conversation with a native speaker. Better yet, seek the help of a native English tutor on LiveXP. This is particularly important for students preparing for an exam, who could most benefit from the assistance of a tutor.

Practicing speaking with a tutor or native speaker has several benefits. It helps you pronounce words correctly and speak more smoothly and confidently. You also learn new words and phrases that people use in real conversations. This practice builds your confidence and allows you to use the language in practical situations. With one-to-one lessons, the teacher can focus all of their attention on you and can give you instant feedback and corrections.

Example of a thorough description of a painting

Let’s take a look at the famous painting “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt.

In the center of this painting, we can see two people kissing, wrapped in a shimmering, golden robe that makes them appear almost as one. The background is mostly gold, giving the scene a heavenly, almost ethereal feel, while the ground beneath the woman’s feet is decorated with bright, colorful flowers, adding softness to the composition. Klimt incorporates symbolism through the use of shapes and colors. For example, geometric shapes on the man’s clothing may represent strength and masculinity, while the flowing, round patterns on the woman’s outfit suggest femininity.

This intimate embrace may be a tribute to his lover, or he may have been nostalgic about a past romance. The painting evokes feelings of deep love and connection, while its ornate style reflects Klimt’s Art Nouveau influence. His use of gold leaf and rich, decorative patterns suggests a feeling of transcendence as if love itself is a sacred and timeless experience.

Start learning how to describe art today

In summary, learning how to describe art not only benefits your studies but also your English proficiency as a whole. It can open doors to new academic, professional, and social opportunities, as well as increase your appreciation for art in general. Art vocabulary is vast, as it includes the names of painting styles, art techniques, descriptions of color and shapes, as well as adjectives to describe the way it makes you feel and what the artist’s intentions were. It doesn’t matter what your goals are; whether you want to see Mona Lisa’s gaze follow you around the room, deepen your understanding of Van Gogh’s troubles, or just want to boost your English skills, with the help of a tutor on LiveXP, you will master describing art in no time.