Phthalo Green
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: phthalo-green-pigment.html
ARGB: FF004A39
order: 8
symbol: PG
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Presentation and Installation
type: Concept
broader: Sculpture Term
definition: Display, site selection, mounting, and environmental considerations for exhibition.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Documentation

SVG (vector)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: XML-based vector graphics format with support for interactivity and scalability.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Vector Graphics

Drying, Flattening and Surface Protection
type: Concept
order: 9
alternative label: Cure and Flatten
broader: painting process
definition: Allow full dry time, flatten if needed, and apply optional fixatives or varnish protocols.
editorial note: Patience here prevents surface damage and preserves the clarity earned in earlier steps.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Presentation and Archival
scope note: Heavy sheets may need minimal flattening; consider no-varnish if presenting under glazing.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

Development Through Layering
type: Concept
order: 5
alternative label: Glazing and Negative Painting
broader: painting process
definition: Building mid-tones and transitions with transparent glazes, managing edges, carving lights negatively.
editorial note: Form emerges here. Reserve darks for the end and let edges do more of the modeling than outlines.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Texture and Emphasis
related: Accents and Detailing
scope note: Alternate wet-on-dry for control with wet-into-wet for atmosphere; keep glazing transparent and clean.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

plain
type: Concept
broader: visual art term
definition: not decorated or elaborate; simple or ordinary in character.
in scheme: visual art terms
note: plain

cauliflower
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: (See Backrun)
in scheme: watercolor painting

Painting terms
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Terms used to describe the materials, techniques, tools and related concepts used in painting.
has top concept: painting term

watercolor paper preparation
type: Concept
broader: substrate preparation
definition: The process includes steps for soaking the paper, stretching it and taping the paper to a stable panel to support it during painting.
in scheme: Painting processes

casein
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Casein is a water based painting medium derived from milk. It's properties resemble Gouache. A fast-drying, water-soluble paint derived from milk protein, or casein
in scheme: watercolor painting

pressing into wet paper
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: This is a simple watercolor technique where a variety of objects (brush handles, empty ball point pens, blunt knives) can be used to compress the paper while a wash is still wet. The compressed paper will absorb more pigment than the surrounding paper leaving interesting dark marks in your painting.
in scheme: watercolor painting

PBR (Physically Based Rendering)
type: Concept
alternative label: Physically Based Shading
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Material and lighting framework using measurable parameters (albedo, roughness, metallic) for realism.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Normal Map
related: Displacement Map
related: HDRI (High Dynamic Range Image)

painting preparation
type: Concept
broader: painting process
definition: The process of preparing to create a painting.
in scheme: Painting processes

pigment
type: Concept
broader: painting material
definition: Pigment is the substance that gives paint its color. Pigments can be natural or synthetic; usually an insoluble powder. For example, pigment is mixed with water and gum Arabic to create watercolor paint
in scheme: Painting terms
note: A colored material, typically an insoluble particulate, used to impart hue and other optical properties to a paint or ink.

Brush Engine
type: Concept
alternative label: Brush Dynamics
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Software system controlling stroke behavior (pressure, tilt, spacing, opacity, flow).
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Masking (digital)
related: Adjustment Layer

candle wax resist
type: Concept
broader: assisted wash
definition: Wherever candle wax is applied to the painting surface, no paint will adhere. White areas can be preserved in this way before the painting is started. Unlike white preserved with masking fluid, the area can never be painted over. Washes of underlying color can be preserved in this way too. The various colored marks in the example below were preserved by drawing wax onto a dry wash then applying another wash, waiting until it drys then drawing on more wax marks.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Reversibility Principle
type: Concept
broader: Historical and Conceptual Terms
definition: The concept that tension and compression roles can be interchanged in complementary structural forms, as seen in Gaudi's hanging-chain models and later explored in tensegrity practice.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Digital Sculpture Process
type: Concept
broader: Digital Process
definition: The process of creating a 3D sculpture using digital media.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process

Granulation
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Using a granulation medium, apply the medium to a dry or wet area, or mix the medium directly with the paint. This casues fine-grained accumulation of particles of pigment in the area.
in scheme: watercolor painting

informationalism
type: Concept
broader: computer art term
definition: Informationalism is a concept of strengthening the capacity of information processing and communication, made possible by technological innovations.
in scheme: computer art terms
note: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/399706

Deployable Tensegrity
type: Concept
broader: Types and Variants
definition: A tensegrity structure designed to fold and expand, used in space structures and robotics.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

natural patterns
type: Concept
broader: visual art term
definition: A pattern is a design in which lines, shapes, forms or colours are repeated. The part that is repeated is called a motif. Natural patterns echo forms and patterns found in nature.
in scheme: visual art terms
note: gracefulness

Google Gemini Source
type: Concept
link: https://gemini.google.com/
broader: Interpretation Source
definition: The source of the interpretation of the artwork is Google Gemini

Chinese White
type: WatercolorPaint
order: 49
symbol: CW
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Foundational Washes
type: Concept
order: 4
alternative label: Big Shape Establishment
broader: painting process
definition: Initial graded and variegated washes to set overall light, atmosphere, and major value masses.
editorial note: This is the painting's breath. A single decisive pass often reads better than piecemeal local color.
example: One coherent sky-to-ground wash that locks the value horizon and dominant temperature.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Development Through Layering
related: Corrections and Cleanup
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

Lamp black
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PBk7
broader: Black Group
definition: Carbon black produced from incomplete combustion of oils or resins; deep masstone, slow drying in oil.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Ultramarine Blue Light
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: ultramarine-blue-light-pigment.html
ARGB: FF194AA8
order: 43
symbol: UBLL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son

frisket
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: A fluid composition of liquid latex and ammonia, or an adhesive film; used to cover (mask-off) areas of of your painting where paint is not wanted; excellent at preserving white space. (see; masking, white space)Liquid frisket dries very quickly and can be easily peeled off waterclour paper (or rubbed off with an eraser) when no longer needed. Frisket adhesive film must be cut to shape and then applied to the paper; the low tack of the adhesive film allows it to be easily removed when no longer needed.
editorial note: This could be considered a material, as well
in scheme: watercolor painting

Violet
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF713380
order: 38
symbol: VI
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Tensile Network Morphology
type: Concept
broader: Structural and Analytical Terms
definition: The overall spatial pattern formed by all tension elements considered as a single organism: how cables sweep, cluster, and define voids. This pattern often governs both structural behavior and visual identity.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

personalized digital arts process
type: Concept
broader: personalized visual arts process
definition: A process used by an individual artist in the production of a creative work in the digital arts.
in scheme: Personalized Art Processes

value
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A color's relative lightness or darkness
in scheme: Painting terms

canvas
type: Concept
broader: painting material
definition: Popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame.
in scheme: Painting terms

Safety and Handling
type: Concept
broader: Sculpture Term
definition: Practices that mitigate risk to people and works during fabrication, transport, and installation.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Materials

Verdigris
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PG20
broader: Green Group
definition: Copper acetate complex; transparent bluish-green noted for reactivity and historical stability issues in oil.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Cadmium Green
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: cadmium-green-pigment.html
ARGB: FF2F6823
order: 47
symbol: CDG
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son

Blocking
type: Concept
broader: Concept & Design
definition: Coarse placement of forms and value masses to resolve staging before detail.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production

Naples Yellow Dark
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: naples-yellow-dark-pigment.html
ARGB: FFDCBD31
order: 12
symbol: NYDL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

gesso underpainting
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: With this watercolor technique, rough gesso brushstrokes add interest to the predictable texture of watercolor paper. Watercolor gesso or absorbent ground works best. The important thing to remember is to allow the gesso to dry thoroughly before painting on it. Watercolor, particularly sedimentary colors will settle into the fine crevasses in the gesso brush strokes making an interesting texture.
in scheme: watercolor painting

overworking
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: This occurs when you carry on adding more and more to a painting when it would have been stopping at an earlier stage would have resulted in a livelier fresher looking piece of work. This is rather subjective and can be difficult to judge. Try and evaluate what you're trying to achieve with every single brushstroke before making it rather than just mindlessly piling on more.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Interpretation Source
type: Concept
broader: Interpretation
definition: The source of the interpretation of the artwork

Japanese rice paper
type: Concept
broader: assisted wash
definition: Torn Japanese Rice Paper is glued to the surface with dilute PVA glue, Matt acrylic varnish or a similar neutral pH glue. The results are interesting and unpredictable, depending on the type of rice paper.
in scheme: watercolor painting

staining colors
type: Concept
altf label: Staining
broader: watercolor term
definition: Some watercolor pigments have smaller particles which means that they flow very smoothly and have intense color saturation, for example, the 'Pthalo' colors, where others are more sedimentary producing more of a granular effect, for example viridian. Colors that absorb into the paper before the water has had a chance to evaporate; they're difficult to lift and will leave a stain on the paper. Not an indicator of paint quality as some pigments are inherently staining, and some are non-staining.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Bubbles
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: The bubbles are created from a small quantity of dish soap added to water used for a wet wash.. In a small deep dish mix the soap and water. Some paint is then mixed with the water maintaining a very fluid solution. Using a straw, with one end under the soapy water, blow into the straw producing bubbles filling up the dish. Using the straw scrap bubbles now with traces of paint onto the paper. The resulting texture reiterates the bubble shapes that formed then popped on the paper.
in scheme: watercolor painting

watercolor design preparation
type: Concept
broader: painting preparation
definition: The process includes compositional layout, palette choices and selection of techniques.
in scheme: Painting processes

Retopology
type: Concept
alternative label: Retopo
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Rebuilding dense or sculpted meshes into cleaner, animation-friendly topology.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Topology
related: Rigging

stretching
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: Laying a sheet of watercolour paper on a rigid support and taping all sides down to the support in order to avoid buckling and warping; paper stays relatively flat while you paint (avoiding unwanted and uneven pooling) and the finished painting dries perfectly flat.Any paper of less than a 300lb weight will warp if not stretched; the amount of warp is dependent on the amount of water absorbed in the painting process. Stretching is not necessary if you're using synthetic papers (which are not prone to warping) or if you're using a watercolor block as long as the painting is left on the block to dry.
in scheme: watercolor painting

antiprism
type: Concept
source: Antiprism
alternative label: n-gonal antiprism
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: A polyhedron with two parallel, congruent n-gon bases rotated relative to one another and connected by an alternating band of 2n triangles.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms
note: For n = 3, the regular triangular antiprism is the octahedron.
related: Chirality
related: Prism

Dynamic Stability
type: Concept
broader: Structural and Analytical Terms
definition: The ability of a tensegrity structure to absorb disturbances (impact, vibration, shock) and return to a stable configuration while maintaining structural integrity. This is crucial in robotics and deployable systems.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Watercolor Painting Process
type: ConceptScheme
source: Compiled by ChatGPT per user request, Nov 2025.
change note: Added skos:editorialNote and other skos:note types for clarity and curation.
definition: A top-level sequence of fine-art watercolor processes from planning to archival presentation.
editorial note: This scheme favors painterly clarity over exhaustive technique lists. It aims to protect luminosity and focal design while allowing variation by subject and temperament.
history note: First issued as a compact 10-step scaffold; refined with editorial notes per user request.
note: Related properties suggest a loose flow; implement actual order per project and subject.
note: Processes can iterate and reorder; this is a scaffold, not a prescription.
scope note: Intended for studio workflows emphasizing luminous washes, glazing, and controlled accents.

Left-Handed
type: Concept
broader: Chirality
definition: Descriptions of the sense of twist in a tensegrity prism or module. A left-handed prism twists counterclockwise. Alternating handedness can produce symmetrical towers or balanced toroidal forms.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

wash
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: ; A wash is a large solid area of colour, a smooth field of colour without visible brush strokes. Washes can be just one colour, or they can gradate from a light to a dark shade of a single colour, or they can graduate from one colour to another.
in scheme: watercolor painting

visual art terms
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Terms used to describe visual arts creative works.
has top concept: visual art term

L. Cornelissen & Son
type: Concept
alternative label: LCS
broader: Art Supply Provider
definition: A pigment manufacturer(?) and retailer

backrun
type: Concept
alternative label: Back Run
broader: wet-into-wet wash
definition: A back run occurs when painting into a wet area of watercolor with a mix of paint that is more dilute than is currently there. This causes the paint to spread out (Bloom) and often leaves a cauliflower shaped pattern when dry. This is often considered to be undesirable but can also be done intentionally to create a textural effect.
editorial note: The mixing of colours in a semi-controlled way by adding new colour to a wash that hasn't dried; backruns can be an unwelcome accident, but are also deliberately created by some artists to represent abstracted clouds, foliage or flowers, or just to create a specific mood and for visual interest.
in scheme: watercolor painting

tint
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: created by adding water to the original color; the more water that's added, the weaker the intensity
in scheme: watercolor painting

Mars Violet
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF754E49
order: 37
symbol: MV
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Two-Color Grey 6
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: Indigo Blue
has paint: Burnt Sienna
ARGB: FF484848
order: 1007
symbol: 2CG6
broader: Watercolor Paint

Integration of Figures and Structural System (RS)
type: Concept
order: 4
broader: personalized digital arts process
definition: Bind figures to tensegrity nodes and axes; balance symmetry, asymmetry, and chirality; reveal readable lines of tension.
editorial note: This is the point at which the work becomes unmistakably yours. When figure placements feel inevitable and the tension network reads at a glance, the sculpture acquires the calm of necessity rather than the noise of options.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates
related: Materials, Light Logic and Rendering Setup (RS)
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates

Digital Sculpture Process
type: ConceptScheme
source: Compiled by ChatGPT per user request, Nov 2025.
definition: Top-level processes for digital 3D sculpture focused on tensegrity-oriented practice.
editorial note: This scheme offers a sculptor-centered, geometry-aware view of digital practice. It emphasizes structural logic and experiential presentation rather than a film or VFX style pipeline. The intent is to keep the categories tight enough to remain useful for tensegrity-inspired work while still general enough for other structurally driven sculpture.
note: Categories are indicative and may iterate; not a rigid production line.
note: Related properties suggest a loose flow; implement actual order per project needs.

Helicity
type: Concept
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: The degree or rate of rotational twist along an axis. In tensegrities, helicity governs how strongly one polygonal end of a module is rotated relative to the other, affecting both structural response and visual energy.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Continuous Tension Network
type: Concept
broader: Structural Elements
definition: The web of cables that connects all struts, maintaining the structural form.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Burnt Umber
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF785D40
order: 26
symbol: BU
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

wash flat
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: Is the technique of laying down a large area of even, consistent color.
in scheme: watercolor painting

visual arts process
type: Concept
definition: A process used in the production of a creative work in the visual arts.
in scheme: visual arts processes

Historical Pigments Scheme
type: ConceptScheme
definition: A scheme organizing major historical artists pigments by traditional hue groups, linking to reference entries such as CAMEO.
has top concept: Blue Group
has top concept: Brown and Earth Group
has top concept: Black Group
has top concept: Green Group
has top concept: Red Group
has top concept: Yellow Group
has top concept: White Group

Concept & Design
type: Concept
broader: digital art term
definition: Early-phase activities that establish intent, mood, and composition prior to detailed production.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
top concept of: Digital Fine Art Production

Phthalo Blue
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: phthalo-blue-pigment.html
ARGB: FF166298
order: 44
symbol: PHB
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son

watercolor term
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A term of art in watercolor painting.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Orpiment
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PY39
broader: Yellow Group
definition: Arsenic trisulfide; brilliant lemon to golden yellow with known incompatibilities (e.g., with lead and copper pigments).
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Interpretation
type: Concept
definition: the process of analyzing a work of art and assigning it meaning.

Ultramarine
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF003BA3
order: 34
symbol: UBD
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Cellular Tensegrity
type: Concept
broader: Types and Variants
definition: A complex structure built from repeating tensegrity cells, analogous to biological systems.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

computer art term
type: Concept
broader: digital art term
definition: A term of art in computer art.
in scheme: computer art terms

gradated wash
type: Concept
broader: wet-into-wet wash
definition: A wash in which the value gradually changes from dark to light. A graduated wash is painted like a flat wash except that more water is added incrementally to lighten the colour as the wash progresses. This technique can be useful for painting skies and seas etc.
in scheme: watercolor painting

UV Mapping
type: Concept
alternative label: Unwrapping
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Projection of a 3D surface to 2D coordinates for precise texture placement.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Normal Map
related: Displacement Map
related: PBR (Physically Based Rendering)

opaque
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Paint characteristic; the ability of certain paints and/or certain colours to cover completely, not allowing you to see through to lower layers; the opposite of transparent & translucent; ideal for over-painting.
in scheme: Painting terms

Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
type: ConceptScheme
source: Mapping synthesized from prior chats; user practice summary, Nov 2025.
definition: Top-level watercolor processes mapped to Rick Spates practice; kept discrete and aligned to general concepts.
editorial note: This scheme captures a practice centered on luminous atmosphere, negative painting, and selective late accents. The works read strongest when large coherent washes establish mood early and detail arrives only where it serves the focal path.
note: Close matches maintain semantic alignment while allowing personal evolution of terms.

Parametric Tensegrity
type: Concept
broader: Structural and Analytical Terms
definition: A design approach in which geometric, material, and prestress parameters (angles, lengths, force densities) are exposed as variables. Parametric tensegrity allows systematic exploration of families of forms rather than a single fixed object.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

mop brush
type: Concept
alternative label: Mop
broader: watercolor tool
definition: A mop brush is a type of Round Brush that has a thick hair at it's base tapering into a very thin tip. The mop brush is very versatile and can create many different kinds of strokes.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Bio-Tensegrity
type: Concept
broader: Applications and Contexts
definition: The application of tensegrity principles to biological systems, explaining how cells, muscles, and skeletons maintain form and function.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

digital
type: Concept
broader: digital art term
definition: (of signals or data) expressed as series of the digits 0 and 1.
in scheme: computer art terms
note: digital

dagger brush
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: A dagger brush has a straight edge and a sloping edge reminiscent of a knife blade. This brush is ideal for painting thin or tapering lines.
in scheme: watercolor painting

PDF (document/vector)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: Document container supporting vector and raster content for print and delivery.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Vector Graphics
related: TIFF (archival raster)

Pen nib painting
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Dipping a pen nib in watercolor paint then drawing on the paper creates very controlled and potentially very fine lines. A glass dip pen offers similar results and can hold more paint.
in scheme: watercolor painting

removing paint
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: The removal of paint with a tool.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Lemon Yellow
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: lemon-yellow-pigment.html
ARGB: FFD9E167
order: 10
symbol: LY
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

synthetic brushes
type: Concept
broader: painting tool
definition: Synthetic brushes can be made from Nylon, Polyester or Taklon. They tend to be stiffer and springier than natural haired brushes.
in scheme: Painting terms

sprayed ink
type: Concept
broader: paint diffusion
definition: The rich colors and linear quality of permanent artists ink can be used to unify a painting. Experiment using a fine water spray just after the ink is applied. The soft spidery textures add an ancient weathered patina to your painting.
in scheme: watercolor painting

ink wash
type: Concept
broader: wet-into-wet wash
definition: A watercolor wash of ink.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Ambient Occlusion (AO)
type: Concept
broader: Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
definition: Approximation of soft contact shadows caused by occluded ambient light.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Normal Map
related: Global Illumination (GI)

Colour Index Code
type: Property
comment: Standardized Colour Index designation for a pigment (e.g., PB29, PR106, NR9).

EPS (vector)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: Legacy PostScript-based vector document format used for print and interchange.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Vector Graphics
related: PDF (document/vector)

stochasticism
type: Concept
broader: computer art term
definition: randomly determined; having a random probability distribution or pattern that may be analyzed statistically but may not be predicted precisely.
in scheme: computer art terms
note: http://www.stats.org.uk/stochastic-processes/

Manganese Blue
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: manganese-blue-pigment.html
ARGB: FF1591C5
order: 4
symbol: MBL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

analogous Colors
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent on the Color Wheel. e.g. blue, blue/green, green.
in scheme: Painting terms

Rendering and Lighting Evaluation
type: Concept
broader: Documentation
definition: Image generation and lighting tests used to evaluate form, material response, and legibility.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Presentation and Installation
related: Digital Materials

Drying, Flattening and Surface Protection (RS)
type: Concept
order: 9
alternative label: Cure and Flatten (RS)
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Minimal flattening on 300 lb paper; patient observation during drying to identify final adjustments.
editorial note: Silence in this step is productive: it protects the freshness you built earlier.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Presentation and Archival (RS)
scope note: Use the slow dry to judge whether the focal path still reads from across the room.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

Simplex Tensegrity
type: Concept
broader: Types and Variants
definition: The simplest tensegrity prism, usually with three struts and nine cables (a T3).
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Structural Transparency
type: Concept
broader: Artistic and Conceptual Terms
definition: The visual effect by which the tension network and compression members reveal their own load paths. Structural transparency is central to the aesthetic appeal of many tensegrity sculptures and installations.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

T3 prism (right-handed)
type: Concept
has chirality: Right-Handed
alternative label: right-handed T3
alternative label: RH T3
broader: T3 prism
definition: Right-handed 3-strut tensegrity antiprism: upper ring rotated relative to the lower so that helical cross-cables trace a right-handed twist.
related: Chirality

Tensegrity Prism (Tn)
type: Concept
broader: Types and Variants
definition: A family of tensegrity structures with n struts arranged in a twisted, prismatic form.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

vertex count
type: Property
comment: Number of distinct vertices in the configuration.
range: int

Watercolour Terminology (article)
type: Collection
member: fan
member: ox gall
member: opaque
member: glazing
member: underdrawing
member: cat's tongue
member: wash
member: coldPressed
member: transparent
member: shader
member: wetOnWet
member: granulation
member: staining colors
member: atmosphericPerspective
member: over-painting
member: liner rigger
member: impressing
member: atomiser
member: resist
member: indenting
member: scraping dry paint
member: backrun
member: stretching
member: dryBrushing
member: gum arabic
member: sizing
member: body colour
member: blotting
member: lifting paint
member: frisket
member: hot pressed paper
member: mop brush
member: spattering
member: buckle
member: painting tool
member: rigger
member: sedimentary
member: stipple

computer graphics process
type: Concept
broader: visual arts process
definition: Computer graphics process is a step or set of steps performed in the creation of a computer graphics creative work.
in scheme: computer graphics processes

Cadmium Yellow
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FFE5C407
order: 25
symbol: CY
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Two-Color Grey 1
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: Cerulean Blue
has paint: Burnt Sienna
ARGB: FF87897C
order: 1002
symbol: 2CG1
broader: Watercolor Paint

Azurite
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PB30
broader: Blue Group
definition: Basic copper carbonate mineral used since antiquity; coarse particles yield bright azure, finer grades shift greener.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
related: Malachite
related: Ultramarine blue, natural

Vermilion
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FFD05F4F
order: 20
symbol: VD
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Node-Based Editing
type: Concept
alternative label: Node Graph
broader: Conceptual / Workflow
definition: Visual programming paradigm connecting operators as nodes for materials, compositing, or geometry.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Procedural Workflow
related: Compositing

Viridian
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PG18
broader: Green Group
definition: Hydrated chromium oxide; cool, transparent green introduced in the 19th century; good permanence in watercolor.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Oriental Blue
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: orient-blue-pigment.html
ARGB: FF062C95
order: 45
symbol: OB
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son

loose painting style
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: Loose watercolor painting is a style characterized by free-flowing, spontaneous brushstrokes and a focus on capturing the essence of a subject rather than precise details.It often involves letting colors blend naturally on the paper, creating soft edges and unique color mixtures.
editorial note: This video seems the epitome of loose painting style.
example: https://www.youtube.com/watch
in scheme: watercolor painting

Palette knife
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Using thicker paint (like watercolor direct from a tube), apply the paint to the paper with a palette knife.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Tensegrity
type: Concept
broader: Fundamental Concepts
definition: A structural system that achieves stability by balancing isolated compression elements within a continuous tension network.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Symmetry Group
type: Concept
alternative label: Group symmetry
alternative label: Geometric symmetry group
broader: Fundamental Concepts
definition: A mathematical group describing the full set of symmetries of a geometric or structural object, including rotations, reflections, or other operations that leave the object unchanged.
editorial note: Do not conflate with informal descriptions of visual balance. Reserve this concept for group theoretic symmetry as applied to geometry and tensegrity configuration.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms
scope note: Used for recording symmetry classifications of tensegrity structures, including groups such as A5, D3, or other point groups relevant to strut and cable arrangements.

sizing
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Sizing is a gelatin based substance used in the making of watercolor paper, canvas stretching and panel preparation. Sizing slows the absorbtion of the paint so that most of the pigment remains on the surface of the paper. Can maintain the structural integrity of the paper, the paper can be soaked with water without falling apart; reduces paper buckling and warping once dry; encourages paper to shrink back to it's original shape.
editorial note: Some references to sizing consider it a process/tool
in scheme: Painting terms

Scraping
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: In a colored wet wash, use the edge of a small piece of plastic the edge of a knife to scrape away small areas of paint producing an effect like sunlit faces of rocks.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Sculptural Modeling of Figures and Form Elements
type: Concept
order: 3
broader: Digital Sculpture Process
definition: Model figures and forms with sculptural intent, refine silhouette and negative space, prepare topology for integration.
editorial note: Modeling choices should serve force readability. Silhouette, proportion, and the treatment of negative space all contribute to whether tension and compression read as legible structure rather than decoration.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process
related: Integration of Figures and Structural System
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process

Yellow Ochre Dark
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FFBE8E3A
order: 23
symbol: YOD
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

3D Modeling & Sculpting
type: Concept
broader: digital art term
definition: Creation and preparation of three-dimensional forms for visualization, animation, or fabrication.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
top concept of: Digital Fine Art Production

binder
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
broader: painting material
definition: Binder is a substance that holds watercolor pigment in suspension. The substance used is generally Gum Arabic or synthetic Glycol.
in scheme: watercolor painting
in scheme: Painting terms

T4 prism (left-handed)
type: Concept
has chirality: Left-Handed
alternative label: left-handed T4
alternative label: LH T4
broader: T4 prism
definition: Left-handed 4-strut tensegrity antiprism with left-handed helical cross-cables.
related: Chirality

charging
type: Concept
broader: wet-into-wet wash
definition: Is a technique that involves dropping a new wet color into an existing wash allowing them to blend ad create interesting variations of color or tonal value. Mixing two or more colors directly on the paper instead of premixing on a palette
in scheme: watercolor painting

abstract
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: The term "Abstract" is used to describe a painting that is non-representational. i.e the subject matter of the painting is not about the depiction of reality.
in scheme: Painting terms

Axis of Symmetry
type: Concept
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: The central line about which a tensegrity structure is organized. In many prisms this axis aligns with the 'vertical' direction of stacking, setting both structural hierarchy and visual reading.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Cerulean
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: https://www.utrechtart.com/items/02993-5170/
ARGB: FF3475AF
order: 31
symbol: CBS
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: Sennelier
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Antichiral Arrangement
type: Concept
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: A configuration in which alternating modules have opposite chirality. Antichiral patterns can produce toroidal, wave-like, or lattice forms with global balance even when each unit is individually twisted.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
type: Concept
broader: digital art term
definition: Simulation of light, image synthesis, and multi-pass assembly into finalized imagery.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
top concept of: Digital Fine Art Production

Azure
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: https://www.utrechtart.com/items/02993-5910/
ARGB: FF0F4FA7
order: 33
symbol: ABS
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: Sennelier
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Burnt Sienna
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FFA86A51
order: 18
symbol: BS
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Digital Fine Art Production
type: ConceptScheme
source: Structured overview compiled by ChatGPT, November 4, 2025.
definition: A scheme covering common terminology used across contemporary digital fine art workflows from concept to output.
note: Relationships are indicative (not exhaustive) and aim to aid discovery across adjacent practices.

substrate preparation
type: Concept
broader: painting preparation
definition: The process of preparing the surface to receive the painting medium.
in scheme: Painting processes

TIFF (archival raster)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: Flexible, high-bit-depth raster format favored for archival and print workflows.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Raster Graphics
related: Color Management

Topology
type: Concept
broader: Mathematical and Mechanical Terms
definition: The connectivity pattern of cables and struts independent of their specific geometry.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Kolinsky (sable)
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: Is a species of weasel found in Siberia. The most highly prized and expensive watercolor brushes are made from the tail hairs of the male of the species.
in scheme: watercolor painting

painting material
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A material used in painting.
in scheme: Painting terms

rigger
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: A rigger is a watercolour brush with long thin hairs. It is useful for painting thin lines such as the rigging on ships, hence the name.
in scheme: watercolor painting

strut count
type: Property
comment: Number of compression members (discontinuous compression) in the configuration.
range: int

Red ocher
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PR102
broader: Red Group
definition: Iron oxide earth; warm to deep red-brown; stable and widely used since prehistory.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Naples Yellow
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FFDCB745
order: 21
symbol: NY
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Weight Painting
type: Concept
alternative label: Vertex Weights
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Assignment of per-vertex influence values that determine how bones deform a mesh.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Rigging

Ultramarine
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: ultramarine-pb32-pigment.html
ARGB: FF0A3399
order: 42
symbol: UBL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son

Archival Print (Giclee)
type: Concept
alternative label: Giclee Print
broader: Output & Presentation
definition: High-resolution, pigment-based inkjet print on archival media for fine art reproduction.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Proofing
related: Color Management

Ultramarine blue, natural
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PB29
broader: Blue Group
definition: Sodium aluminosilicate sulfur chromophore from lapis lazuli; historic blue with characteristic warm masstone and reddish violet bias in tints.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
related: Azurite
related: Prussian blue

Van Dyke Brown
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF342F2C
order: 48
symbol: VDB
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis

White Group
type: Concept
broader: Major Historical Pigments
definition: Historical white pigments.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
top concept of: Historical Pigments Scheme

Three Color Black
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: Alizarin Crimson
has paint: Cadmium Yellow
has paint: Ultramarine
ARGB: FF595C65
order: 1001
symbol: 3CB
broader: Watercolor Paint

Magic Eraser
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: The magic erase rubbed on a dry area of watercolor paint acts as a very fine sandpaper to lift and trap the paint. One example of the resulting texture is to create a horizon line with deeper color below and lighter color above.
in scheme: watercolor painting

l-system
type: Concept
alternative label: Lindenmayer System
broader: computer art term
definition: a parallel rewriting system and a type of formal grammar. An L-system consists of an alphabet of symbols that can be used to make strings, a collection of production rules that expand each symbol into some larger string of symbols, an initial "axiom" string from which to begin construction, and a mechanism for translating the generated strings into geometric structures. L-systems were introduced and developed in 1968 by Aristid Lindenmayer, a Hungarian theoretical biologist and botanist at the University of Utrecht..
in scheme: computer art terms
note: L-system

Layer Blending Modes
type: Concept
alternative label: Blend Modes
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Mathematical operations that combine layer pixels to achieve compositing effects.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Compositing

Kinetic Tensegrity
type: Concept
broader: Artistic and Conceptual Terms
definition: A tensegrity system deliberately designed for controlled motion or reconfiguration. Used in responsive architecture, adaptive mechanisms, and time-based sculpture.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Post-Processing
type: Concept
alternative label: Color Grading
broader: Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
definition: Final adjustments after rendering: color grading, sharpening, denoise, and stylistic effects.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Compositing
related: Adjustment Layer

Rigging
type: Concept
alternative label: Armature Setup
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Creating skeletal controls and constraints to deform and animate a model.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Weight Painting
related: Topology

watercolor material
type: Concept
broader: painting material
definition: A material used in watercolor painting.
in scheme: watercolor painting

intensity
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: This refers to the brightness or dullness of a particular color. A color's saturation, brightness or strength
in scheme: Painting terms

flat brush
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: A flat brush is a short haired brush with a straight edge. Flat brushes are generally useful for laying down washes of all kinds and are particularly useful for painting hard edged shapes such as mountains tree trunks etc.Great for crisp hard edges, washes, buildings and figuresGreat for crisp hard edges, washes, buildings and figures
in scheme: watercolor painting

bead
type: Concept
broader: wash
definition: A bead is the line of water that pools at the base of a Wash. Maintaining the bead becomes important when attempting to paint a consistent wash as streaks will occur in the if it dries out too quickly.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Cobalt Green Deep
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: cobalt-green-deep-pigment.html
ARGB: FF1853AD
order: 6
symbol: COGD
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

has chirality
type: Property
comment: Links a tensegrity configuration to its chirality value (left-handed or right-handed).
range: Chirality

line & wash
type: Concept
broader: ink wash
definition: Line and wash is the technique of combining ink pen drawings with with watercolors. Traditionally this was done with dip pens but can also be done with markers, biros and Rapidograph style engineering drawing pens.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Yellow Ochre Light
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FFAD8233
order: 22
symbol: YOL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Two-Color Grey 7
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: Cobalt Turquoise
has paint: Burnt Sienna
ARGB: FF3C4A44
order: 1008
symbol: 2CG7
broader: Watercolor Paint

transparent paint
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: consists of pigment mixed with gum arabic, glycerin and a wetting agent
in scheme: watercolor painting

A-Z Glossary Of Watercolor Terms (article)
type: Collection
member: binder
member: chroma
member: intensity
member: mud
member: plein air
member: wet on Dry
member: glazing
member: bloom
member: frame mat
member: charging
member: masking tape
member: complementary colors
member: bead
member: tint
member: lostFoundEdges
member: granulation
member: temperature color
member: happy accident
member: cold-pressed paper
member: hard edge
member: primaryColours
member: Kolinsky (sable)
member: bamboo brush
member: fan brush
member: rough paper
member: casein
member: masking Fluid
member: wash
member: cockling
member: primary color
member: scrubbing
member: graduatedWash
member: wash variegated
member: round brush
member: deckled edges
member: loose painting style
member: sizing
member: value
member: pigment
member: hake brush
member: line & wash
member: ground
member: thumbnail
member: backrun
member: canvas
member: neutralColour
member: nOTPaper
member: abstract
member: split primaries palette
member: lifting paint
member: mop brush
member: hue
member: relatedBlogPosts
member: gum arabic
member: cauliflower
member: dagger brush
member: gouache
member: vegan brushes
member: tube color
member: natural hair brushes
member: palette
member: stretching
member: dry brush technique
member: layering
member: wet-into-wet wash
member: color wheel
member: soft edge
member: synthetic brushes
member: wash flat
member: staining colors
member: easel
member: weight
member: overworking
member: palette knife
member: pan
member: analogous Colors
member: block
member: watercolor medium

T3 prism
type: Concept
cable count: 9
member count: 12
strut count: 3
vertex count: 6
alternative label: triangular tensegrity antiprism
alternative label: 3-strut tensegrity prism
broader: Tensegrity Prism (Tn)
definition: A 3-strut tensegrity antiprism with two parallel triangular vertex rings, mutually rotated; a continuous cable network forms two 3-edge rings and three helical cross-cables, stabilizing three isolated struts in self-stress.
note: Chiral: realizable in left-handed or right-handed forms depending on ring rotation; typical cable layout = 2n (ring) + n (helical) with n=3.
related: Chirality
related: antiprism

Normal Map
type: Concept
alternative label: Tangent-Space Normal Map
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Texture encoding per-pixel normals to fake small-scale relief without altering geometry.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: UV Mapping
related: PBR (Physically Based Rendering)
related: Ambient Occlusion (AO)

IvoryBlack
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF23221E
order: 38
symbol: IVB
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Right-Handed
type: Concept
broader: Chirality
definition: Descriptions of the sense of twist in a tensegrity prism or module. A right-handed prism twists clockwise when viewed from above. Alternating handedness can produce symmetrical towers or balanced toroidal forms.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

canvas
type: Concept
broader: canvas
definition: Watercolor canvas is similar to oil painting canvas. Watercolor canvas has been treated with Gesso to enable it to take water based paints.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Drawing and Masking Setup
type: Concept
order: 3
alternative label: Under-drawing and Reserves
broader: painting process
definition: Light drawing or transfer, masking fluid placement, planning hard and soft edges.
editorial note: The more the pencil dictates, the less the wash can discover. Let paint lead whenever possible.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Accents and Detailing
related: Development Through Layering
scope note: Keep lines minimal; think scaffolding, not blueprint. Mask selectively to preserve crucial highlights.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

gouache
type: Concept
alternative label: gouache (or body color)
broader: watercolor material
definition: Gouache is similar to watercolor but is much more opaque. An opaque watercolor that can be applied thick or thin
in scheme: watercolor painting

Alcohol
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Paint a watercolor wash over an area of the paper. Then apply isopropyl alcohol, for instance in drops. The effect is to evacuate significant pigment from the area with alcohol creating a halo of color.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Chirality
type: Concept
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: The property of a structure being non-superimposable on its mirror image. In tensegrity prisms, chirality defines whether the twist between upper and lower bases is right-handed or left-handed. Opposite chiralities can influence torque, stability, and the visual rhythm of the structure.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Azure Blue
type: PaintingMaterial
has pigment: azure-blue-pigment.html
ARGB: FF3198C5
order: 2
symbol: ABL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Buckminster Fuller
type: Concept
broader: Historical and Conceptual Terms
definition: Architect and inventor who coined the term 'tensegrity' and advanced its theoretical foundations.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

digital art terms
type: ConceptScheme
alternative label: computer art terms
definition: Terms used to describe computer art.
has top concept: digital art term

Discontinuous Compression Network
type: Concept
broader: Structural Elements
definition: The system of struts that do not touch each other but are stabilized by the surrounding tension network.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Corrections and Cleanup
type: Concept
order: 8
broader: painting process
definition: Lifting, soft scrubbing, and re-glazing to unify; remove masking; resolve value hierarchy.
editorial note: This is where the painting often clicks: the hierarchy becomes legible and the mood locks in.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Drying, Flattening and Surface Protection
related: Accents and Detailing
scope note: Use lifting to reclaim light and re-glazes to bind passages into coherent atmosphere.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

Art Evaluation
type: Concept
broader: Interpretation
definition: Evaluation in art is the process of assessing the value, quality, or significance of a work of art. It involves analyzing the work's techniques, elements, and overall impact. Evaluation can help to understand the cultural relevance, effectiveness, and artistic intention of a work. An artistic evaluation tends to focus on a more subjective judgment of an artwork's overall quality, meaning and impact

nature
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A reference to the representation of things found in nature.
in scheme: Painting terms

Red Group
type: Concept
broader: Major Historical Pigments
definition: Historical red pigments.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
top concept of: Historical Pigments Scheme

Digital Tools
type: Concept
broader: Tools
definition: Software and computational utilities used in digital 3D sculpture practice.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Digital Modeling and Assembly

Art Criticism
type: Concept
broader: Interpretation
definition: Art criticism is the analysis and evaluation of art, including its significance in art history and its communication with the audience

watercolor technique
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A technique used in watercolor painting.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Parchment
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Apply paint to an area then, while wet, lay down a piece of parchment paper, pressing to form areas in full contact with the wash and areas not in contact like bubbles in the parchment paper. Experiment with different levels of wetness before applying the parchment. The texture is in part due to a contrast between areas of full contact and areas not in contact. Alternatives to parchment paper including crumpled plastic cling wrap.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Tensegrity Tower
type: Concept
broader: Types and Variants
definition: A vertical stacking of prisms, often forming a repeating module.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Static Determinacy
type: Concept
broader: Mathematical and Mechanical Terms
definition: A condition where the structure's internal forces can be calculated purely from equilibrium equations.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

masking tape
type: Concept
broader: painting material
definition: This is a sticky paper tape that can be used to mask off a white border around your painting or to mask off an area of your painting that needs to be preserved.
in scheme: Painting terms

visual art term
type: Concept
definition: A term of art in the visual arts.
in scheme: visual art terms

Artistic and Conceptual Terms
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: Terms describing perceptual, aesthetic, and generative aspects of tensegrity as art and design practice.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Render Passes
type: Concept
alternative label: AOVs
broader: Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
definition: Separately computed image channels (for example, diffuse, specular, shadow) for flexible compositing.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Compositing
related: Depth Map / Z-Depth

glazing
type: Concept
alternative label: layering
broader: wet on Dry
definition: Glazing, or layering, is the technique of laying a thin wash of color over the top of another color which has dried. Due to the transparency of watercolor, this can have he effect of creating a third color or can simply be used to darken an existing color.
in scheme: watercolor painting

personalized visual arts process
type: Concept
broader: visual arts process
definition: A process used by an individual artist in the production of a creative work in the visual arts.
in scheme: Personalized Art Processes
scope note: This is experimental in that individual artist's data currently live in the instance data guided by the VisualArtsDNA ontology, while the thesaurus is for general concepts. ChatGpt introduced the notion of creating personalized concepts matched to the generalized process steps. Ultimately the personalized concepts may migrate to the instance data but currently there is no scaffolding to support processes.

mud
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: Mud refers to the dull earthy neutral colors that result from mixing colors that contain too much of their complementary hue. e.g mixing a red with a green.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Interactive Presentation on the Web
type: Concept
broader: Presentation and Installation
definition: Real time viewing and interaction for sculpture models in browsers or kiosks.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
note: Covers viewer components, environment maps, and performance considerations.
related: Exchange and Publishing

Alizarin Crimson
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: alizarine-crimson-pigment.html
ARGB: FF89293C
order: 46
symbol: ACL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son

Drawing and Masking Setup (RS)
type: Concept
order: 3
alternative label: Under-drawing and Reserves (RS)
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Light, economical under-drawing; occasional masking only for tight highlights or architectural edges.
editorial note: You paint best when the drawing invites discovery rather than dictates outcome.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Accents and Detailing (RS)
related: Development Through Layering (RS)
scope note: Use gesture for organics and sparing line for architecture; let paint do most of the describing.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

JPEG (compressed raster)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: Lossy compressed raster format balancing file size and quality; not ideal for heavy edits.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Raster Graphics

Cobalt Green Light
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: cobalt-green-light-pigment.html
ARGB: FF346A5A
order: 7
symbol: COGL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Digital Process
type: Concept
broader: visual arts process
definition: The process of producing a creative work using digital media.
in scheme: visual arts processes

T4 prism
type: Concept
cable count: 12
member count: 16
strut count: 4
vertex count: 8
alternative label: square tensegrity antiprism
alternative label: 4-strut tensegrity prism
broader: Tensegrity Prism (Tn)
definition: A 4-strut tensegrity antiprism with two parallel square vertex rings in relative rotation; cables form two 4-edge rings and four helical cross-cables to stabilize four isolated struts.
note: Chiral: left-handed or right-handed according to the sense of ring rotation; canonical cable topology totals 3n for n=4.
related: antiprism
related: Chirality

Sculpture Term
type: Concept
broader: visual art term
definition: A term of art in sculpture creation.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
note: Category head for all sculpture related concepts in this scheme.

Parametric and Constraint Solving
type: Concept
broader: Techniques
definition: Rule driven modeling and numerical solving to maintain geometric or structural relationships.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Structural Design for Tensegrity

Naples yellow
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PY41
broader: Yellow Group
definition: Lead antimonate yellow; historical warm opaque yellow with characteristic orange cast.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Surface and Materials Preparation (RS)
type: Concept
order: 2
alternative label: Paper and Palette Setup (RS)
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: 11x15 in on 300 lb cold-press as default; 9x12 in on 140 lb occasionally; tape edges, test swatches; proceed to immediate wet work.
editorial note: This robust surface lets you paint decisively; it forgives correction without dulling the paper's breath.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Foundational Washes (RS)
scope note: 300 lb supports assertive lifting and multi-glaze sequences without fatigue.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

FBX (3D scene interchange)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: Proprietary scene format supporting meshes, rigs, animation, and materials.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Rigging
related: Mesh

Two-Color Grey 2
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: AzureSen
has paint: Potters Pink
ARGB: FF8EA1A7
order: 1003
symbol: 2CG2
broader: Watercolor Paint

Color Management
type: Concept
broader: Output & Presentation
definition: Policies and conversions (ICC) that keep colors consistent across devices and media.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Color Profile / Color Space
related: Proofing
related: TIFF (archival raster)

Color Script
type: Concept
broader: Concept & Design
definition: A sequence of frames mapping intended color and lighting beats across a narrative or series.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Dynamic Range
related: HDRI (High Dynamic Range Image)

algorithmicism
type: Concept
broader: computer art term
definition: (T)he digital age has ushered in an era of "algorithmicism"--the increasingly steadfast belief that everything in the world, from business processes to financial markets to interpersonal interactions and more, can be analyzed and broken down into discrete model that are representable and manipulable by mathematical/digital processes.
in scheme: computer art terms
note: https://books.google.com/books

Prussian Blue
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: prussian-blue-pigment.html
ARGB: FF5A849E
order: 40
symbol: PBL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son

Viridian
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF4D9592
order: 30
symbol: VGD
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

T5 prism (right-handed)
type: Concept
has chirality: Right-Handed
alternative label: right-handed T5
alternative label: RH T5
broader: T5 prism
definition: Right-handed 5-strut tensegrity antiprism with right-handed helical cross-cables.
related: Chirality

Raw umber
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PBr7
broader: Brown and Earth Group
definition: Iron oxide and manganese oxide earth; cool dark brown with greenish cast.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

lost and found edges
type: Concept
alternative label: Lost & Found Edges
broader: watercolor technique
definition: When the tonal value of the edge of a foreground object begins to matches the tonal value of it's background the edges of the object start to become indiscernible against the background. This creates the appearance the optical illusion of a disappearing edge but the brain still interprets the edge as being present. This is often used to create a deliberate effect, used to create and suggest movement. A found edge is the reversal of this.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Prestress
type: Concept
broader: Fundamental Concepts
definition: The internal tension or compression introduced into a tensegrity structure before any external load is applied.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Topology
type: Concept
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Connectivity pattern and flow of polygons affecting deformation and efficiency.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Retopology
related: Subdivision Surface (SubD)

wet on Dry
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: This is the technique of painting wet paint on to dry paper. This creates crisp hard edged shapes.
in scheme: watercolor painting

personalized watercolor process
type: Concept
broader: personalized visual arts process
definition: A process used by an individual artist in the production of a creative work in watercolor.
in scheme: Personalized Art Processes

Ultramarine Blue Dark
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: ultramarine-blue-dark-pigment.html
ARGB: FF1446AD
order: 41
symbol: UBDL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son

Manganese
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF0B7BA1
order: 32
symbol: MBD
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Gallery Artwork Description
type: Concept
broader: Interpretation
definition: Technique or style: The technique or style used to create the artwork Subject matter: The subject matter of the artwork Inspiration: What inspired the artist to create the piece Meaning: What the artwork means to the artist Context: The historical background, location, and time of the artwork

Elastic Tendon
type: Concept
broader: Structural and Analytical Terms
definition: A tension member intentionally allowed to stretch under load. Elastic tendons are common in soft tensegrity and biomimetic models, where controlled compliance is desirable.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Conceptual / Workflow
type: Concept
broader: digital art term
definition: Process philosophies, organizational methods, and computational paradigms guiding production.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
top concept of: Digital Fine Art Production

Adjustment Layer
type: Concept
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Layer that applies tonal or color operations non-destructively to layers beneath it.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Color Profile / Color Space
related: Color Management

Schmincke & Company
type: Concept
alternative label: SCC
broader: Art Supply Provider
definition: A pigment manufacturer

Dynamic Range
type: Concept
alternative label: Tonal Range
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Range between darkest and brightest reproducible tones in an image or device.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: HDRI (High Dynamic Range Image)

Painting processes
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Painting processes are the steps combining materials, techniques, tools and related concepts to produce a painting or to complete a part of the production of a painting.
has top concept: painting process

Accents and Detailing
type: Concept
order: 7
broader: painting process
definition: Dark accents, crisp passages, calligraphic marks, and controlled lifting to refine edges and emphasis.
editorial note: Late, minimal, and precise accents keep the painting fresh and prevent overworking.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Corrections and Cleanup
scope note: Place the sharpest edges and deepest darks only where they serve the focal path.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

Form-Finding
type: Concept
broader: Mathematical and Mechanical Terms
definition: The process of determining the equilibrium geometry of a tensegrity given its topology and element properties.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Fundamental Concepts
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: Core ideas that define what tensegrity is and how it attains stability through balanced tension and compression.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Presentation and Archival (RS)
type: Concept
order: 10
alternative label: Matting and Framing (RS)
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Clean borders, archival matting and framing under glazing; consistent documentation and metadata capture.
editorial note: Your archival discipline supports the public reading of the work and its long-term care.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Vision and Planning (RS)
scope note: Record paper weight, pigment list, and date; keep photo documentation consistent for the oeuvre.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

Alpha Channel
type: Concept
alternative label: Transparency Channel
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Per-pixel opacity data used to control transparency during compositing.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Masking (digital)
related: Clipping Mask

hot pressed paper
type: Concept
alternative label: Hot Pressed
broader: watercolor material
definition: Paper type; a heavy-weight, slow-to-absorb paper featuring a very smooth finish; manufactured using steam, heat and/or pressure to to help the fibres (wood pulp and/or cotton) nestle very close together, making the paper very slow to absorb; sized for water media.
in scheme: watercolor painting

painting tool
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A tool used in painting.
in scheme: Painting terms

easel
type: Concept
broader: painting tool
definition: A stable stand, supporting an artist's painting .
in scheme: Painting terms

hake brush
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: The Hake is a traditional wide short-haired, long-handled Japanese brush into which goat's hair is stitched. The Hake brush is useful for painting natural looking foliage and skies. It was popularized by artist/author Ron Ranson.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Development Through Layering (RS)
type: Concept
order: 5
alternative label: Glazing and Negative Painting (RS)
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Transparent glazes for form and atmosphere; strong use of negative painting; edges moving in and out of focus.
editorial note: This is your voice zone: where abstraction and depiction negotiate in real time.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Accents and Detailing (RS)
related: Texture and Emphasis (RS)
scope note: Favor transparency; let value and edge quality shape the form more than contour lines.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

Homemade Watercolor Medium
type: Concept
type: Recipe
broader: Watercolor Medium
definition: A gum-arabic based watercolor binding medium.
recipe ingredient: gum arabic powder, distilled water, glycerine (humectant), essential oil of clove, essential oild of rosemary
recipe instructions: 1. Dissolve the gum Arabic powder: Dissolve two-part gum Arabic powder in four parts warm distilled water. Pour slowly and stir continuously for 10-15 minutes. 2. Add Humectant: Add one part of honey or glycerine (humectant) into the binder mixture at this stage. 3. Natural preservative: Add a couple of drops of essential oil (clove/rosemary) to the binder solution. 4. Let the solution stand for 24-48hrs to allow complete hydration of the gum arabic particles before use.

Tools
type: Concept
broader: Sculpture Term
definition: Implements and software used to create, manipulate, join, or finish sculpture.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Materials
related: Techniques

Tensegrity Term
type: Concept
broader: visual art term
definition: The root term for all tensegrity terms.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Texture and Emphasis (RS)
type: Concept
order: 6
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Structural textures preferred: drybrush for architecture, granulation for botanical surfaces, restrained spatter.
editorial note: Texture supports breath and structure; it should never upstage the value design.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Accents and Detailing (RS)
scope note: Let pigment separation and paper tooth do the work before reaching for effects.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

deckled edges
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: This refers to the rough untrimmed edges of certain brands of watercolor paper.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Export, Optimization and File Preparation (.glb) (RS)
type: Concept
order: 6
alternative label: GLB Preparation (RS)
broader: personalized digital arts process
definition: Consolidate, bake transforms, reduce heavy meshes, confirm PBR maps, export glb with RDF hooks for cataloging.
editorial note: The quieter this step is, the better. Clean exports and stable metadata keep the experience consistent across platforms, so curatorial attention remains on the sculpture and not on file idiosyncrasies.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates
related: Presentation, Interactive Viewing and Contextualization (RS)
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates

Texture and Emphasis
type: Concept
order: 6
broader: painting process
definition: Selective textures such as drybrush, spatter, and granulation to support form and focal contrasts.
editorial note: Texture reads best when it rides on good value design. Without that, it becomes noise.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Accents and Detailing
scope note: Use texture to amplify structure, not to decorate. Favor pigment behavior and paper surface over tricks.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

Advanced Watercolor Techniques (article)
type: Collection
definition: Once you have mastered the basic skills of color mixing, applying washes, softening edges, dropping in color etc. there are a number of more advanced watercolor techniques you can incorporate into your work.
member: washed ink
member: dragging paint
member: gesso underpainting
member: scraping dry paint
member: Japanese rice paper
member: paper blotting
member: pressingintowetpaper
member: pastel scrape
member: candle wax resist
member: opaque gouache contrast
member: sprayed ink
member: washed ink with gouache mask
member: cling wrap wash
member: paper masking
member: masking

Opinion
type: Concept
broader: Interpretation
definition: An opinion of a work of art is a personal interpretation or judgment about its aesthetic qualities, meaning, and impact, based on an individual's subjective experience and perspective when viewing the piece; essentially, how someone feels about the artwork and what they think it conveys, which can vary greatly from person to person.

Lead white
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PW1
broader: White Group
definition: Basic lead carbonate; historic staple white with high opacity and warm tone.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

computer art terms
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Terms used to describe computer art.
has top concept: computer art term
in scheme: digital art terms

Historical and Conceptual Terms
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: People, theories, and framing ideas that shaped the development and cultural reading of tensegrity.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Kenneth Snelson
type: Concept
broader: Historical and Conceptual Terms
definition: Sculptor who first realized tensegrity structures in physical form, notably works such as 'Needle Tower' and 'X-Piece'.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

hard edge
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: The edge of a shape that is sharply defined, as opposed to Soft Edge.
in scheme: watercolor painting

granulation
type: Concept
alternative label: Granulating
broader: watercolor term
definition: The tendency for some colour pigments to precipitate (or settle out) when water is added, resulting in a granular, speckled effect; also commonly referred to as sedimentary colours; it's a natural effect, not indicative of poor quality paint, or technical misuse. Only some colours will granulate.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Output & Presentation
type: Concept
broader: digital art term
definition: Preparation for display, print, archival, or distribution, including file formats and color management.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
top concept of: Digital Fine Art Production

soft edge
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: Soft edges are edges that are indistinct and blurry, a fading or disappearing edge. In watercolor painting this can be achieved by painting Wet On Wet.
in scheme: watercolor painting

atomiser sprayer
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: Manual (mouth operated) paint spraying tool that creates a fine mist and similar painting effect to an airbrush or aerosol spray can; sometimes referred to as a diffuser.
in scheme: watercolor painting
related: atomiser

Naples Yellow Light
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: naples-yellow-light-pigment.html
ARGB: FFCCC22C
order: 13
symbol: NYLL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

watercolor painting
type: ConceptScheme
definition: The process of creating a watercolor painting.
has top concept: watercolor material
has top concept: watercolor term
has top concept: watercolor tool
has top concept: watercolor technique
in scheme: Painting processes

frame mat
type: Concept
broader: painting material
definition: A Mat is a 'Window' of card that sits inside a picture frame between the glass and the painting. It has the aesthetic function of creating a clean border around your painting and the practical function of separating the surface of the painting from the glass.
in scheme: Painting terms

Two-Color Grey 8
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: Ultramarine
has paint: Burnt Sienna
ARGB: FF7C8089
order: 1010
symbol: 2CG8
broader: Watercolor Paint

masking Fluid
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Liquid latex used to preserve the white of the paper and to create textures
in scheme: watercolor painting
related: masking

Presentation, Interactive Viewing and Contextualization (RS)
type: Concept
order: 7
alternative label: Interactive Presentation (RS)
broader: personalized digital arts process
definition: Model-viewer as part of the work; environment presets as expressive devices; documentation to frame attention as medium.
editorial note: Presentation completes the circuit. By inviting the viewer to orbit and re-orient, the sculpture unfolds as a timed experience. Attention is not a byproduct; it is a structural material on par with light and metal.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates
related: Materials, Light Logic and Rendering Setup (RS)
related: Conceptual Structuring and Formal Logic (RS)
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates

Tensegrity Robotics
type: Concept
broader: Applications and Contexts
definition: Robots that use tensegrity frameworks for mobility, flexibility, and shock absorption.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Blue Group
type: Concept
broader: Major Historical Pigments
definition: Historical blue pigments.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
top concept of: Historical Pigments Scheme

easel
type: Concept
broader: easel
definition: A stable stand, with an angled board that supports an artist's painting .
in scheme: watercolor painting

split primaries palette
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: The primary colors are red , yellow and blue. A split primaries palette, is a palette of 6 colors consisting of three warm and three cool primaries. For example Cadmium Red, New Gamboge and Ultramarine, and Alizarin Crimson, Lemon Yellow and Cerulean Blue. The purpose of the split primaries palette is to enable a watercolor painter the greatest range of warm and cool color mixing options with the fewest colors.
in scheme: Painting terms

chroma
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: The brightness or hue of a color. Paint straight from the tube is at maximum chroma.
in scheme: Painting terms

wash variegated
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: A variegated wash is a wash painted with different colors in a wet into wet blend. Variegated washes are a signature technique of watercolor painting. They are often used to convey the natural scattering and bouncing of light and color that occurs in real life. Variegated washes can also be used to create abstract patterns and effects.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Salt water
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Before painting mix table salt with water. Apply the salt water wash to the paper. Paint colors into the wash which tend to disburse more due to the presence of the salt. Experiment with different ratios of salt to water producing varied results.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Buckling
type: Concept
broader: Structural and Analytical Terms
definition: The loss of stability in a compression member when the compressive force exceeds a critical threshold. Buckling sets an upper limit on how slender tensegrity struts may be before failure or large deformation.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Prussian Blue
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: https://www.dickblick.com/products/schmincke-pigments/
ARGB: FF306D9C
order: 39
symbol: PB
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: Schmincke & Company
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Synergetics
type: Concept
broader: Historical and Conceptual Terms
definition: Buckminster Fuller's theoretical framework describing how systems gain stability and order through the interaction of independent components; tensegrity exemplifies this principle.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Procedural Workflow
type: Concept
alternative label: Generative Workflow
broader: Conceptual / Workflow
definition: Rule- and node-based methods that generate results from inputs and parameters, enabling reuse.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Parametric Design
related: Node-Based Editing

Conceptual Structuring and Formal Logic
type: Concept
order: 1
broader: Digital Sculpture Process
definition: Define structural logic, tensegrity intent, figure-to-structure relations, geometry family, and expressive aims.
editorial note: This stage frames meaning before any mesh is committed. Decisions about tensegrity, figure orientation, and geometric language act as constraints that later steps elaborate rather than correct. Clarity here shortens the entire project.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process
related: Computational Geometry and Parametric Construction
related: Integration of Figures and Structural System
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process

Indigo
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: schmincke-pigment-indigo-100-ml-jar
ARGB: FF081C37
order: 36
symbol: IBS
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: Schmincke & Company
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

alcohol
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: The alcohol watercolor technique involves using rubbing alcohol on wet watercolor paint to create unique effects. The alcohol repels the paint, pushing it away and creating lighter areas or interesting textures. This technique can be used to achieve various effects like bubbles, swirling patterns, or abstract designs.
in scheme: watercolor painting

rough paper
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Heavily textured watercolor paper
in scheme: watercolor painting

Corrections and Cleanup (RS)
type: Concept
order: 8
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Selective lifting and edge softening on heavy paper; re-glazing to unify; remove masking; finalize value hierarchy.
editorial note: This is where your paintings often lock: the structure clarifies and the mood coheres.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Drying, Flattening and Surface Protection (RS)
related: Accents and Detailing (RS)
scope note: If a passage feels overbuilt, lift lightly and re-glaze to rejoin the painting's atmosphere.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

Cobalt Turquoise
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: cobalt-turquoise-pigment.html
ARGB: FF6FB9A8
order: 1
symbol: CT
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Sculptural Modeling of Figures and Form Elements (RS)
type: Concept
order: 3
broader: personalized digital arts process
definition: Model figures as agents of tension; pose to express force vectors; refine silhouette and negative space for structural read.
editorial note: Figures neither dominate nor decorate; they participate. The success of this step is measured by whether a pose clarifies the force diagram of the whole. If the pose can be swapped without loss, the modeling is not yet specific enough.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates
related: Integration of Figures and Structural System (RS)
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates

Proofing
type: Concept
alternative label: Soft Proofing
broader: Output & Presentation
definition: Previewing how an image will reproduce on a specific device or substrate before final output.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Color Management
related: Archival Print (Giclee)

liner rigger
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: Brush type; similar in shape to round brushes but with hairs that are twice the usual length; ideal for drawing out long, thin continuous lines; available in small sizes only (#3 is generally the largest size).It's debatable whether there's any difference between Liners and Riggers. Brush manufacturers don't seem to differentiate; one will call it a rigger, while the other calls it a liner, yet the brush is identical for all intents and purposes.x
in scheme: watercolor painting

Cerulean Blue
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: cerulean-blue-pigment.html
ARGB: FF2571A2
order: 3
symbol: CBL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Minimal Path System
type: Concept
broader: Artistic and Conceptual Terms
definition: A configuration that achieves maximum apparent stability or span with the fewest necessary members. The term highlights tensegrity's economy of means as an aesthetic as well as an engineering goal.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

ground
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Watercolor ground is an acrylic based primer that allows a degree of absorbency. This enables a watercolor artist to paint on surfaces which would not usually be suitable for watercolor paint such as printer paper, thin card or even materials such as wood or stone.
in scheme: watercolor painting

atomiser
type: Concept
broader: paint diffusion
definition: The process of spraying a fine mist, similar painting effect to an airbrush or aerosol spray can; sometimes referred to as a diffuser.
in scheme: watercolor painting

body colour
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Paint type; a slightly confusing term that simply means opaque water-based paint (such as Gouache or Tempera). Opaque colours can be used to add punches of solid colour to transparent watercolours, and opaque white is used to bring highlights back out of muddy or over-saturated areas.
in scheme: watercolor painting

painting process
type: Concept
broader: visual arts process
definition: A process used in the production of a painting as a creative work.
in scheme: Painting terms

Form-Active Structure
type: Concept
broader: Applications and Contexts
definition: A system where the geometry itself resists loads efficiently, of which tensegrity is an example.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Black Group
type: Concept
broader: Major Historical Pigments
definition: Historical black pigments.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
top concept of: Historical Pigments Scheme

Documentation
type: Concept
broader: Sculpture Term
definition: Records describing the work, its provenance, process, and technical details.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Creation Process
related: Presentation and Installation

blotting paper
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Paper type; Blotter paper; a highly absorbent type of paper used to absorb an excess of liquid (such as ink or paint) from the substrate.
in scheme: watercolor painting

paper blotting
type: Concept
broader: lifting paint
definition: Crumpled paper towel will lift pigment from a wet was in a soft, predictable way. Keep rotating and re crumpling the paper so you dont get a repeating pattern in the blot marks. This is a good watercolor technique for lifting clouds out of a wet sky. Manually soaking up excess paint before it dries using a small sponge, piece of absorbent tissue or a towel
in scheme: watercolor painting

computer graphics processes
type: ConceptScheme
definition: The steps performed in the creation of a computer graphics creative work.
has top concept: computer graphics process

washed ink
type: Concept
broader: ink wash
definition: Waterproof ink is applied, allowed to almost dry, then scrubbed off. This will produce interesting textures and shapes. The results are unpredictable and permanent, so this technique is best used before watercolor washes are added. Best results are obtained using a spray bottle of water and rough bristle brush to scrub the ink back.

Brown and Earth Group
type: Concept
broader: Major Historical Pigments
definition: Historical brown and earth pigments.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
top concept of: Historical Pigments Scheme

scraping dry paint
type: Concept
alternative label: Sgraffito
broader: removing paint
definition: Gently scraping paint off of the substrate (paper, in this case); scraping usually takes place after the paint has dried (or at least partially dried); results in subtle details and irregular textures and can help in restoring white space. A razor blade or craft knife, sandpaper, a piece of cardboard or a cut up credit card can be used; anything scratchy.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Parametric Design
type: Concept
broader: Conceptual / Workflow
definition: Design approach driven by adjustable parameters to explore families of solutions.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Procedural Workflow

Indigo Blue
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: indigo-blue-genuine-pigment.html
ARGB: FF0C1534
order: 5
symbol: IBL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Foundational Washes (RS)
type: Concept
order: 4
alternative label: Big Shape Establishment (RS)
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Single coherent atmospheric washes establishing temperature shifts and a global light scaffold.
editorial note: When this pass is confident, later passages feel inevitable rather than labored.
example: Elephant Ear: warm vegetal gradient in one pass. Court of Myrtles: cool architectural field unified early.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Development Through Layering (RS)
related: Corrections and Cleanup (RS)
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

Mood Board
type: Concept
alternative label: Reference Board
broader: Concept & Design
definition: A curated collage of references establishing aesthetic, palette, material, and lighting cues.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Color Profile / Color Space
related: Color Script

Acrylic Ink
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: The application of colored acrylic ink to watercolor causes a separation of the wet area not unlike adding oil to vinegar or water in salad dressing. The resulting dispersion of colors has a unique appearance. Other media can be used as well including "Brusho," a unique painting medium, a transparent, highly-pigmented watercolour ink. The result of using these watercolor alternatives is a mixed media creation.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Sponge
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Painting with a damp sea sponge dipped in watercolor produces a highly varied, rough looking texture on the paper.
in scheme: watercolor painting

T3 prism (left-handed)
type: Concept
has chirality: Left-Handed
alternative label: left-handed T3
alternative label: LH T3
broader: T3 prism
definition: Left-handed 3-strut tensegrity antiprism: upper ring rotated relative to the lower so that helical cross-cables trace a left-handed twist.
related: Chirality

block
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Watercolor paper is often sold in a 'Block', which is a number of sheets of paper that are glued around the edges as opposed to loose. This minimizes Cockling and eliminates the need for stretching paper.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Types and Variants
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: Named classes, modules, and families of tensegrity configurations and how they repeat or scale.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Swatch Book
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A book of swatches for all the paint colors in the palette. The swatch book paper is 140 lb. cold press.

Prussian blue
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PB27
broader: Blue Group
definition: Iron(III) hexacyanoferrate; first modern synthetic blue (early 18th c.); deep greenish-blue undertone and strong tinting strength.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
related: Ultramarine blue, natural

Sennelier
type: Concept
alternative label: SEN
broader: Art Supply Provider
definition: A pigment manufacturer

Equilibrium
type: Concept
broader: Fundamental Concepts
definition: The condition where all forces in a tensegrity structure balance so that it is stable and motionless under given loads.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

landscape painting
type: Concept
alternative label: landscape art
broader: nature
definition: The depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, especially where the main subject is a wide view with its elements arranged into a coherent composition.
in scheme: Painting terms

Digital Art Notes
type: ConceptScheme
comment: This is a rather flat scheme. Mostly an operational aid.
definition: All google Keep note instances for digital artworks belong to this scheme.

Thesaurus for the Visual Arts
comment: A thesaurus aligned with the CWVA creative-process domain ontology for the visual arts
label: Thesaurus for the process in the Visual Arts
contributor: visualartsdna.org
description: This thesaurus provides a vocabulary for describing process modeled by the CWVA ontology, http://visualartsdna.org/model/. Visit visualartsdna.org for more information.
description: This thesaurus provides a vocabulary for describing data modeled by the CWVA ontology, http://visualartsdna.org/model/. Visit visualartsdna.org for more information.
issued: 2025-11-02T12:00:00Z
issued: 2022-07-16T12:00:00Z
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
modified: 2025-11-02T12:00:00Z
modified: 2025-06-22T12:00:00Z
publisher: visualartsdna.org
rights: copyright
title: Thesaurus for process in the Visual Arts
version info: v 2.0

Geometric and Symmetry Terms
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: Terms describing twist, handedness, rotational order, and other geometric/symmetry properties of tensegrity structures.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Two-Color Grey 3
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: Manganese Blue
has paint: Burnt Sienna
ARGB: FF8A8581
order: 1004
symbol: 2CG3
broader: Watercolor Paint

GLB (glTF binary)
type: Concept
alternative label: glTF Binary
broader: File Formats
definition: Binary form of glTF optimized for compact delivery of PBR-ready 3D assets on the web.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: PBR (Physically Based Rendering)
related: HDRI (High Dynamic Range Image)

watercolor paint preparation
type: Concept
broader: painting preparation
definition: The process includes hydrating paint cakes, creating mixes and dilutions. The process can include creating new watercolor paint from raw pigment and watercolor binder solution. This involves mulling the paints and binder together. The mixture is then allowed to dry forming a 'cake'.
in scheme: Painting processes

Aspect Ratio
type: Concept
broader: Output & Presentation
definition: Proportional relationship of width to height that determines framing and composition.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: File Formats

pan paint
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: small cakes of watercolor paint that come in half-pan or whole-pan sizes
in scheme: watercolor painting

Reflection Symmetry
type: Concept
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: A condition in which one half of a structure is the mirror image of the other. Pure tensegrity prisms are typically chiral and therefore lack reflection symmetry, unless paired with an oppositely handed mate.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Malachite
type: Concept
broader: Green Group
definition: Basic copper carbonate green mineral; granular particles give characteristic pale, slightly bluish green.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

David Davis
type: Concept
alternative label: DD
broader: Art Supply Provider
definition: A bulk pigment retailer.

Render Farm
type: Concept
broader: Conceptual / Workflow
definition: Pool of networked machines distributing render jobs for speed and scale.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Ray Tracing
related: Render Passes

Non-Destructive Editing
type: Concept
broader: Conceptual / Workflow
definition: Workflow approach that preserves source data via layers, masks, and parametric nodes.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Adjustment Layer
related: Node-Based Editing

Materials
type: Concept
broader: Sculpture Term
definition: Substances and stock used in constructing sculpture, physical or digital.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
note: Includes digital assets as immaterial materials when used as primary modeling matter.
related: Tools
related: Safety and Handling

Raw Umber
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF63523E
order: 27
symbol: RU
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Clipping Mask
type: Concept
alternative label: Clipping Group
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Constrains a layer's visibility to the shape of another layer below.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Masking (digital)

Node (Joint)
type: Concept
broader: Structural Elements
definition: A point where cables and struts connect, transmitting forces between elements.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

STL (3D print mesh)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: Triangulated surface format commonly used in additive manufacturing; no color or materials.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Mesh

Masking (digital)
type: Concept
alternative label: Layer Mask
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Non-destructive technique to reveal or hide parts of a layer using grayscale control.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Alpha Channel
related: Clipping Mask

temperature color
type: Concept
alternative label: temperature
broader: painting term
definition: Colors are divided into cool and warm. Colors that lean towards Red/Yellow are considered to be warm colors and colors that lean towards Blue/Green are classified as cool.
in scheme: Painting terms

paper masking
type: Concept
broader: assisted wash
definition: Cartridge paper can be torn to a suitable shape, placed on the painting then the area left exposed can be wiped over with a damp brush or sponge to remove pigment. This process works best with sedimentary and non staining colors. The technique can also be used with straight edged paper to change the tone in a formal, geometric manner.
in scheme: watercolor painting

sedimentary
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: Paint characteristic; see granulation
in scheme: watercolor painting

Presentation, Interactive Viewing and Contextualization
type: Concept
order: 7
alternative label: Interactive Presentation
broader: Digital Sculpture Process
definition: Deploy in model-viewer, tune tone mapping and exposure, set environment presets, document concept and viewing logic.
editorial note: Interaction is part of the medium. Allow rotation and context to reveal the work over time, but maintain a disciplined lighting and exposure envelope so the sculpture does not become a lighting demo.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process
related: Materials, Light Logic and Rendering Setup
related: Conceptual Structuring and Formal Logic
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process

Structural Elements
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: Named physical components of a tensegrity system and how they interact to carry load.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Exchange and Publishing
type: Concept
broader: Documentation
definition: Packaging and distributing models and media for archival, review, or exhibition.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
note: Includes glTF, USD, and related formats and manifests.
related: Interactive Presentation on the Web

File Formats
type: Concept
broader: Output & Presentation
definition: Encodings for storing and exchanging raster, vector, and 3D data.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production

palette
type: Concept
broader: painting tool
definition: A palette is a surface for mixing paint on. Watercolor palettes often contain a number of wells or depressions so that the paint doesn't run. Palettes are often made of white plastic but the best palettes for watercolor are pure white and porcelain. Palette can also refer to a color scheme or selection of colors.
in scheme: Painting terms

impasto
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Paint that is applied to a canvas or panel in quantities that make it stand out from the surface.
in scheme: Painting terms

Raw Sienna
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FFC79743
order: 24
symbol: RS
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Sculpture Terms
type: ConceptScheme
source: Q860861
definition: Terms related to the creation of sculpture.
note: Concept scheme for sculpture creation, tools, materials, and practice specific digital 3D terms.

color wheel
type: Concept
broader: painting tool
definition: The color wheel is a visual representation of the colors of the visible spectrum in order of Temperature laid out in the form of a circle. Color wheels can be useful to artists as they show the relationship of colors to each other. Color wheels can be used to develop color schemes.
in scheme: Painting terms

cling wrap wash
type: Concept
broader: assisted wash
definition: A simple technique where cling wrap is arranged over a wet wash and left until the wash is thoroughly dry. The results are fairly predictable, but this technique makes interesting rock like textures
in scheme: watercolor painting

Surface and Materials Preparation
type: Concept
order: 2
alternative label: Paper and Palette Setup
broader: painting process
definition: Paper choice and prep, taping or stretching, palette layout, water containers, test swatches.
editorial note: A disciplined prep step protects spontaneity: fewer mechanical problems means freer painting.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Foundational Washes
scope note: Heavier sheets (for example, 300 lb) reduce cockling and support assertive wet-in-wet work.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

bamboo brush
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: An inexpensive natural haired chinese style brush (Often squirrel hair) that has a bamboo handle and is mainly used to create loose painterly strokes. For example, use this brush for natural looking foliage and skies
in scheme: watercolor painting

stipple
type: Concept
broader: brushing paint
definition: Creating imagery through a series of dots made with the point of a paint brush; dimension is achieved by slowly building areas of light and shadow with dots in various hues, enabling the colours to mix in the viewer's eye (known as optical mixing); a traditionally ideal method of working on miniature scale paintings.
in scheme: Painting terms

Cobalt Blue
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF058A9B
order: 35
symbol: COB
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Bone black
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PBk9
broader: Black Group
definition: Carbonized animal bone containing hydroxyapatite; slightly warmer undertone than lamp black.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Green Group
type: Concept
broader: Major Historical Pigments
definition: Historical green pigments.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
top concept of: Historical Pigments Scheme

Pipeline
type: Concept
alternative label: Production Pipeline
broader: Conceptual / Workflow
definition: Coordinated sequence of tools, data formats, and handoffs moving work from concept to delivery.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: File Formats
related: Metadata / IPTC / EXIF
related: Render Farm

Metadata / IPTC / EXIF
type: Concept
alternative label: XMP Metadata
broader: Output & Presentation
definition: Embedded technical and rights information enabling attribution, search, and workflow automation.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: PDF (document/vector)
related: TIFF (archival raster)

Accents and Detailing (RS)
type: Concept
order: 7
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Late, selective sharpening; clean transparent darks; calligraphic marks confined to focal zones.
editorial note: Placed sparingly, your darks operate like a signature: necessary, unmistakable, and final.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Corrections and Cleanup (RS)
scope note: Aim for the minimum number of hard edges needed to seal the focal path.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

Tensegrity Bridge
type: Concept
broader: Applications and Contexts
definition: An architectural tensegrity system used to span distances with minimal material.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

pan
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: Pans are small thumbnail sized paint containers that slot into portable trays. Pans are most often used for painting in small sketchbooks and outdoors
in scheme: watercolor painting

cold-pressed paper
type: Concept
alternative label: Cold Pressed
broader: watercolor material
definition: The most commonly used type of watercolour paper; a heavy weight; absorbent paper featuring a pronounced toothy finish and sized to accept watermedia (see; sizing).Highest quality cold pressed papers may be hand-made and will contain 100% cotton fibres; they're loved for their irregular rough texture and reliable performance and absorbency
in scheme: watercolor painting

Vermilion (cinnabar)
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PR106
broader: Red Group
definition: Mercuric sulfide red, natural or synthetic; brilliant warm red with historic darkening issues in some conditions.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
related: Red ocher
related: Rose madder

Cable (Tension Member)
type: Concept
broader: Structural Elements
definition: A flexible or tensile element that resists stretching forces and connects the structure's nodes.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Structural Design for Tensegrity
type: Concept
broader: Creation Process
definition: Design and verification activities for tension and compression systems where compression members do not touch and the network is in self stress.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
note: Includes topology selection, routing, parameter sweeps, and solver assisted self stress search.
related: Parametric and Constraint Solving
related: Materials

Self-Stress State
type: Concept
broader: Mathematical and Mechanical Terms
definition: A set of internal forces that maintains equilibrium without any external load.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Depth Map / Z-Depth
type: Concept
broader: Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
definition: Grayscale image encoding distance from the camera, used for depth-of-field and atmospheric effects.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Compositing
related: Render Passes

Vision and Planning (RS)
type: Concept
order: 1
alternative label: Intent and Value Studies (RS)
broader: personalized watercolor process
definition: Memory-driven scenes with light in motion; abstract passages inside representational subjects; small value studies as needed to stabilize focal energy before paint.
editorial note: Your strongest starts happen when composition and value hierarchy are decided in miniature, so big washes can stay bold and un-fussy.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates
related: Drawing and Masking Setup (RS)
related: Foundational Washes (RS)
scope note: When a subject risks over-control, a 1 to 3 inch value thumbnail clarifies the sharpest edges and deepest darks.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process Rick Spates

neutral color
type: Concept
alternative label: neutral (colour)
broader: painting term
definition: Dull muted grays and browns. Neutrals can be mixed in a number of ways. e.g mixing 3 evenly spaced color wheel colors, mixing complementaries.
in scheme: Painting terms

thumbnail
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A small sketch or painting produced in preparation for the creation of a larger work.
in scheme: Painting terms

Materials, Light Logic and Rendering Setup
type: Concept
order: 5
alternative label: Materials and HDRI Setup
broader: Digital Sculpture Process
definition: Select materials, control reflectance, choose HDRI environments, and configure lighting to reveal tension and form.
editorial note: Materials and light are not afterthoughts. Reflectance and HDRI selection can either collapse subtle tension lines or make them sing. Treat this step as a sculptural decision made with photons.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process
related: Presentation, Interactive Viewing and Contextualization
related: Export, Optimization and File Preparation (.glb)
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process

cockling
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: Cockling, or buckling, occurs when a sheet of watercolor paper is wet. This creates a series of uneven undulations or ridges which can cause problems when trying to paint. Cockling can be minimized by Stretching, using heavier Weight paper such as 140lb/300gsm or above, or by using a watercolor Block.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Presentation and Archival
type: Concept
order: 10
alternative label: Matting and Framing
broader: painting process
definition: Mounting, matting, framing under glazing; documentation, metadata, archival storage conditions.
editorial note: A strong frame and accurate documentation reinforce the painting's authority and provenance.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Vision and Planning
scope note: Use archival mats and UV-protective glazing; document pigments, paper, and process notes.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

paint diffusion
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: To spread over an area with paint in an aerosol form.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Painting Notes
type: ConceptScheme
comment: This is a rather flat scheme. Mostly an operational aid.
definition: All KeepNote instances for painting belong to this scheme.

watercolor medium
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Watercolor medium is a substance which can be added to watercolor paint to create effects that couldn't be obtained purely with water, such as texture, gloss or glitter.
in scheme: watercolor painting

gum arabic
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: A natural non-toxic gum made from the sap of various species of the acacia tree used as a binder in watercolours; gum arabic fluid can be added to colours to thicken inks and watercolours, increasing the viscosity of the paint film and also intensifying colours. Gum arabic can also be diluted with water and applied directly to watercolour paper as a sealant, making it less absorbent, or over top of a finished watercolour painting (much like a varnish).
in scheme: watercolor painting

Indian Red
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF542424
order: 17
symbol: IR
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

hue
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Quite simply, a hue is a color. This is independent of it's intensity or brightness. A color's common name (for example, cadmium red)
in scheme: Painting terms

Lifting
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: After the wash is dry, remoisten the area, say by spritzing, then use a papertowel or other means to lift the pigment creating finely detailed and random looking areas of dark and light in the wash. Similarly, in a wet area of paint use a sea sponge to lift paint.
in scheme: watercolor painting

scrubbing
type: Concept
broader: removing paint
definition: A dry brush technique used to lift paint from or add color to an area of the surface
in scheme: watercolor painting

underdrawing
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Sketching out the intended composition on your substrate prior to applying paint.Pencil lines can be lightly erased after the composition has been blocked-in with paint, or pencil lines can be left as they are.
in scheme: Painting terms

round brush
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: A very commonly used watercolor brush with hairs that taper to a fine point. The round brush is a versatile brush that can be used to paint a variety of brush strokes.A very versatile brush. It can be used for painting washes, fine details and broad strokes
in scheme: watercolor painting

Raw sienna
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PBr7
broader: Brown and Earth Group
definition: Yellow-brown iron oxide earth; semi-transparent and stable.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Global Illumination (GI)
type: Concept
broader: Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
definition: Simulation of indirect light transport via interreflections and color bleeding.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Ray Tracing
related: Ambient Occlusion (AO)

Watercolor Paint
type: Concept
broader: paint
definition: A paint made from combining gum arabic watercolor medium with a dry pigment color using a muller to create a smooth paste which is stored in a pan and allowed to dry. The pigment is identified by the label name and brand, and the binder is identified by material.

T5 prism
type: Concept
cable count: 15
member count: 20
strut count: 5
vertex count: 10
alternative label: pentagonal tensegrity antiprism
alternative label: 5-strut tensegrity prism
broader: Tensegrity Prism (Tn)
definition: A 5-strut tensegrity antiprism with two parallel pentagonal vertex rings in relative rotation; cables form two 5-edge rings and five helical cross-cables to stabilize five isolated struts.
note: Chiral: left-handed or right-handed variants; canonical cable topology totals 3n for n=5.
related: antiprism
related: Chirality

tensegrity antiprism
type: Concept
alternative label: n-strut tensegrity prism
alternative label: tensegrity prism
broader: TensegrityTerm
definition: A tensegrity configuration with two parallel n-gon vertex rings rotated relative to each other, where discontinuous compression members span between rings and a continuous cable network links each vertex to two adjacent vertices on the opposite ring, yielding a chiral, self-stressed system.
editorial note: For an n-strut tensegrity antiprism under this node: vertices = 2n; struts = n; cables = 3n (comprised of 2n ring cables + n helical cross-cables). Chirality is determined by the sense of relative rotation between vertex rings.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms
related: antiprism
related: Chirality
related: SelfStress
related: Tensegrity Prism (Tn)
scope note: Describes topology independent of metric regularity; commonly realized as the canonical n-strut tensegrity prism (e.g., T3, T4, T5).

Conceptual Structuring and Formal Logic (RS)
type: Concept
order: 1
alternative label: Formal Logic and Intent (RS)
broader: personalized digital arts process
definition: Tension and attention as core; figure orientation inward or outward; icosahedral and prism logics; viewer rotation as part of meaning.
editorial note: Concept drives everything here. The decision to let figures address each other instead of the viewer recasts the sculpture as a field the viewer must orbit and read. The work asks for time and rewards it with shifting alignments of force and gaze.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates
related: Computational Geometry and Parametric Construction (RS)
related: Integration of Figures and Structural System (RS)
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates

washed ink with gouache mask
type: Concept
broader: ink wash
definition: For this technique, thick white gouache is painted on to preserve any areas of white paper. The gouache is allowed to thoroughly dry before being completely covered with pigment ink. When the ink is dry the surface is washed back with a water spray and bristle brush, dissolving the gouache and revealing the white paper underneath.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Structural and Analytical Terms
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: Terms describing mechanical behavior, analysis methods, and quantitative descriptors of tensegrity systems.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Salt
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Salt and rice can be used as desiccants. When added to a wet wash of color, the salt or rice absorbs some pigment from the surrounding wash creating lighter areas in the wash when dry and the salt or rice is brushed off the paper. The convention is to wait until the sheen disappears from the wash on the paper before adding the salt.
in scheme: watercolor painting

watercolor tool
type: Concept
broader: painting tool
definition: A tool used in watercolor painting.
in scheme: watercolor painting

sandpaper
type: Concept
broader: painting tool
broader: painting material
definition: produced in a range of grit sizes and is used to remove material from surfaces, either to make them smoother or to remove a layer of material
editorial note: This is both a tool and material
in scheme: Painting terms
related: sanding dry paper

technicalism
type: Concept
broader: computer art term
definition: Technical method or treatment; (excessive) use of or reliance on technical terms or procedure.
in scheme: computer art terms
note: technicalism

Integration of Figures and Structural System
type: Concept
order: 4
broader: Digital Sculpture Process
definition: Fuse figures with tensegrity elements, balance symmetry and chirality, and make tension lines legible as form.
editorial note: This is the inflection point where the work either coheres or fragments. Integration must preserve structural clarity while allowing expressive deviations. Successful pieces feel inevitable at this stage, as if the figures could not be placed otherwise.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process
related: Sculptural Modeling of Figures and Form Elements
related: Materials, Light Logic and Rendering Setup
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process

Terre Verte
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: https://www.utrechtart.com/items/02993-7920/
ARGB: FF9FB181
order: 29
symbol: TV
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: Sennelier
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Rose madder
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: NR9
broader: Red Group
definition: Natural madder lake from Rubia tinctorum roots; transparent cool red noted for delicate glazing and historical fading concerns.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
related: AlizarinCrimson
related: Vermilion (cinnabar)

Raster Graphics
type: Concept
alternative label: Bitmap
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Pixel-based images whose resolution directly determines detail and print size.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: PNG (lossless raster)
related: Resolution / DPI
related: JPEG (compressed raster)
related: TIFF (archival raster)

Ray Tracing
type: Concept
broader: Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
definition: Image synthesis method tracing rays to compute reflection, refraction, and shadows.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Global Illumination (GI)

Cadmium Yellow Orange
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: cadmium-yellow-orange-pigment.html
ARGB: FFCF3916
order: 15
symbol: CYO
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Wyeth
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A reference to the Wyeth family.
in scheme: Painting terms

cable count
type: Property
comment: Number of tension members (continuous tension) in the configuration.
range: int

indenting
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: Scoring the paper (using a stylus or the end of a paintbrush) directly after an application of fresh paint; the scored marks are recessed into the paper so pigments will naturally settle in the lines, showing off the scored details.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Export, Optimization and File Preparation (.glb)
type: Concept
order: 6
alternative label: GLB Preparation
broader: Digital Sculpture Process
definition: Consolidate scene, bake transforms, manage mesh density, verify PBR, export optimized glb with metadata hooks.
editorial note: The goal is faithful portability. If a viewer or device changes, the sculpture should still read as intended. Tight asset hygiene prevents presentation layers from rewriting the work.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process
related: Materials, Light Logic and Rendering Setup
related: Presentation, Interactive Viewing and Contextualization
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process

Texture Technique
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: Watercolor techniques supporting development of texture in the painting
in scheme: watercolor painting

Applications and Contexts
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: Domains in which tensegrity is applied or interpreted, including architecture, robotics, and biology.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Two-Color Grey 4
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: Cobalt Turquoise
has paint: Potters Pink
ARGB: FF9E9CA1
order: 1005
symbol: 2CG4
broader: Watercolor Paint

Polygonal Base
type: Concept
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: The regular n-sided geometry forming the top and bottom faces of a tensegrity prism (for example, triangular for T3, square for T4). The number of sides defines the module family and repetition symmetries.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

painting post production
type: Concept
broader: painting process
definition: After a painting has been produced this is the process of preparing the painting for storage. This has tangible and intangible aspects, the latter includes capturing and perhaps publishing information about the newly completed work.
in scheme: Painting processes

Digital Drawing & Painting
type: Concept
broader: digital art term
definition: Pixel- and vector-based image creation and editing practices, tools, and constructs.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
top concept of: Digital Fine Art Production

Morphogenesis
type: Concept
broader: Artistic and Conceptual Terms
definition: The generative process by which a tensegrity form emerges or evolves. The term is borrowed from biology and used in architecture and sculpture to frame tensegrity as something that 'grows' rather than something merely assembled.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

digital art term
type: Concept
broader: visual art term
definition: A term of art in digital art.
in scheme: digital art terms

Yellow ocher
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PY43
broader: Yellow Group
definition: Hydrated iron oxide earth; staple yellow earth with greenish to orange undertones depending on source.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Thumbnail Sketches
type: Concept
alternative label: Thumbnails
broader: Concept & Design
definition: Small, rapid studies to iterate on composition, value grouping, and focal hierarchy.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production

transparent
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Paint characteristic; the tendency for certain paint colours to allow light to pass through the paint film enabling layers beneath to be distinctly seen; the opposite of opaque.
in scheme: Painting terms

facture
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: the quality of the execution of a painting; an artist's characteristic handling of the paint. 'Manet's sensuous facture'
in scheme: Painting terms

plein air
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Plein Air, or En Plein Air means painting outdoors.
in scheme: Painting terms

pastel scrape
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: Into a wet wash scrape the dust off a suitably colored pastel with a sharp blade. Test the pastel color against a patch of the dry wash first. This technique works well with sedimentary pigments using a similar colored pastel.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Computational Geometry and Parametric Construction (RS)
type: Concept
order: 2
alternative label: Parametric Construction (RS)
broader: personalized digital arts process
definition: Generate prisms, icosahedra, toroids; chirality and inversion; solver checks; numeric sweeps; armatures for figure placement.
editorial note: The computational step ensures clarity rather than complexity for its own sake. Chirality and scale sweeps become instruments for stating the piece more exactly, not for multiplying versions. The math lifts expression rather than constraining it.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates
related: Sculptural Modeling of Figures and Form Elements (RS)
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates

paint
type: Concept
broader: painting material
definition: Artist paint is a professional-grade paint that is designed to resist chemical reactions from exposure to water, ultraviolet light, and oxygen. Artist paints have more pigment than student paints, which allows for more medium manipulation and limits color shift.
in scheme: Painting terms
related: pigment

T4 prism (right-handed)
type: Concept
has chirality: Right-Handed
alternative label: right-handed T4
alternative label: RH T4
broader: T4 prism
definition: Right-handed 4-strut tensegrity antiprism with right-handed helical cross-cables.
related: Chirality

Composition Grid
type: Concept
alternative label: Rule of Thirds Grid
broader: Concept & Design
definition: Guides such as thirds, golden ratio, and dynamic symmetry aiding visual balance and flow.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production

Strut (Compression Member)
type: Concept
broader: Structural Elements
definition: A rigid element that carries compressive load and does not directly contact other struts.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Chrome Green
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF80A96D
order: 28
symbol: CG
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Rotational Symmetry
type: Concept
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: The property by which a tensegrity prism, dome, or ring can be rotated about its axis by a certain angle and still appear identical. Rotational symmetry is often used to classify higher-order tensegrity assemblies.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

alla prima for watercolors
type: Concept
broader: wet-into-wet wash
definition: It involves painting wet-on-wet, directly onto the paper, often in one sitting, without letting layers dry completely. This technique can create vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes. Alla prima aims for a fresh, immediate look with visible brushstrokes and blending of colors on the paper.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Topology Optimization
type: Concept
broader: Structural and Analytical Terms
definition: The computational process of refining which members exist, how they connect, and how loads flow through them, in order to improve performance, efficiency, or aesthetic intent.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Digital Modeling and Assembly
type: Concept
broader: Creation Process
definition: Constructing and organizing forms in a 3D environment, including part to part alignment and hierarchy.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
note: Covers mesh, curve, surface, and rig based assemblies for sculpture scale and intent.
related: Materials
related: Tools

buckle
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: wavy, uneven surface once water has been applied; can and should be avoided by stretching the paper prior to painting. (see; stretching)Although some aspects of painting once thought to be negative (such as backruns) can be used to ones advantage, buckling paper is never desired and never considered a happy accident.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Art Assessment
type: Concept
broader: Interpretation
definition: An artistic assessment usually involves an objective analysis of technical skills, composition, and adherence to specific criteria, often used in educational settings to track progress or judge competency.

tube color
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Watercolor is available in tubes or pans, In tube form the paint is squeezed on to a Palette like toothpaste in pans the paint is in solid form and needs to be reactivated with water.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Virdian
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: viridian-green-pigment.html
ARGB: FF107B69
order: 9
symbol: VGL
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Yellow Group
type: Concept
broader: Major Historical Pigments
definition: Historical yellow pigments.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme
top concept of: Historical Pigments Scheme

Mechanism Mode
type: Concept
broader: Mathematical and Mechanical Terms
definition: A deformation mode in which the structure can change shape without stretching or compressing its members.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

member count
type: Property
comment: Total number of structural members (struts + cables) in the configuration.
range: int

HDRI (High Dynamic Range Image)
type: Concept
alternative label: Environment Map
broader: Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
definition: High-range panoramic image used as a light source and reflection environment in rendering.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: PBR (Physically Based Rendering)
related: Global Illumination (GI)
related: Dynamic Range

Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates
type: ConceptScheme
source: Mapping synthesized from prior chats; user practice summary, Nov 2025.
definition: Top-level digital sculpture processes mapped to Rick Spates practice; kept discrete and aligned to general concepts.
editorial note: This scheme treats model-viewer and HDRI selection as integral parts of the artwork, not merely display layers. The sculptures assert tensegrity as both structural metaphor and viewing discipline: attention is the medium that completes the piece.
note: Close matches maintain semantic alignment while allowing personal evolution of terms.

painting production
type: Concept
broader: painting process
definition: The process of creating a painting.
in scheme: Painting processes

flowers
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A reference to the representation of flowers.
in scheme: Painting terms

Watercolor Medium
type: Concept
broader: painting material
definition: Typically a gum-arabic based watercolor binding medium.

shader
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: Brush type; a flat, wide brush with shorter hairs, exactly the same shape as a Bright brush; ideal for creating hard edges and square fields of colour; great for street-scapes and other architectural subject matter.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Twist Angle
type: Concept
broader: Geometric and Symmetry Terms
definition: The angular displacement between the top and bottom polygons of a tensegrity prism. The twist angle directly determines chirality and overall form, and strongly influences stiffness and articulation between modules.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

creative graph process
type: Concept
broader: computer graphics process
definition: The process of turning a graphic representation of structured data into a creative work.
in scheme: computer graphics processes

flat wash
type: Concept
broader: wet on Dry
definition: brushing successive strokes of color on a wet or dry surface, with each stroke placed next to the other, to create an even layer of color
in scheme: watercolor painting

dry brush technique
type: Concept
alternative label: drybrush technique
alternative label: Dry Brushing
broader: brushing paint
definition: Using a paint brush that is relatively dry, but still delivers paint to your substrate. The resulting brush strokes will have a coarse, scratchy appearance, contrasting the smooth, uniform look of washes or blended paint.
in scheme: Painting terms

primary color
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Red, Blue and Yellow are called the Primary Colors because they cannot mixed from other colors but all colors can be mixed from them.
in scheme: Painting terms

natural hair brushes
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: Brushes that contain animal hair such as squirrel, sable or goat
in scheme: watercolor painting

ox gall
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Yellowish fluid from gall bladders (usually obtained from cows) mixed with alcohol and used as the wetting agent in paper marbling and watercolor painting.If a watercolour wash is not covering the paper evenly, is beading up, or failing to absorb into the deep texture of the paper leaving tiny white specks, add a drop of ox gall to improve flow and even out the absorbancy.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Brush side
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Collect paint on a brush, then using the side of the brush, rub is across the paper allowing paint to accumulate on the peaks of the uneven surface of the paper.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Alizarin Crimson
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF932D3B
order: 19
symbol: AC
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

Displacement Map
type: Concept
alternative label: Height Map
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Texture driving geometric displacement at render time for true surface relief.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Subdivision Surface (SubD)
related: PBR (Physically Based Rendering)

Color Profile / Color Space
type: Concept
alternative label: ICC Profile
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Formal definition of a device or working color space enabling consistent color reproduction.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Color Management
related: Proofing

Thesaurus for the Visual Arts, Tesegrity Terms
comment: A thesaurus aligned with the CWVA creative-process domain ontology for the visual arts
contributor: visualartsdna.org
description: This thesaurus provides a vocabulary for describing data modeled by the CWVA ontology, http://visualartsdna.org/model/ related to Tensegrity. Visit visualartsdna.org for more information.
issued: 2025-10-26T12:00:00Z
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
modified: 2025-10-26T12:00:00Z
publisher: visualartsdna.org
rights: copyright
title: Thesaurus for the Visual Arts--Tensegrity
version info: v 1.0

Digital Materials
type: Concept
broader: Materials
definition: Textures, HDR environments, shaders, and parameter sets treated as working material.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Digital Modeling and Assembly

painting term
type: Concept
broader: visual art term
definition: A term of art in painting.
in scheme: Painting terms

Vision and Planning
type: Concept
order: 1
broader: painting process
definition: Intent setting, subject selection, value structure, color family, thumbnails and value studies.
editorial note: Decisions here save the painting later. A crisp value map prevents over-modeling and keeps the work luminous.
in scheme: Watercolor Painting Process
related: Foundational Washes
related: Drawing and Masking Setup
scope note: Use thumbnails or small value studies to establish a clear focal pathway before the first large wash.
top concept of: Watercolor Painting Process

lifting paint
type: Concept
alternative label: Lifting Out
alternative label: Lifting
broader: removing paint
definition: Removing paint from a surface with a brush, paper towel or tissue. Removing colour from an area of wet paint, or re-wetting an area of dried paint and removing colour; a painting technique in it's own right, not just a correction method; the basis of subtractive painting.Lifting creates soft edges and can diffuse or modify colours, reducing their intensity and leaving only the undertones. Strategic or detailed lifts can be done using a slightly damp paintbrush to wick up the colour.
in scheme: watercolor painting

palette knife
type: Concept
broader: painting tool
definition: small spatula-style knife used to apply or remove paint, or to add texture
in scheme: Painting terms
related: impasto

Art Supply Provider
type: Concept
type: Organization
broader: visual art term
definition: A Provider of art supplies either directly or indirectly to the public

Subdivision Surface (SubD)
type: Concept
alternative label: SubD
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: Algorithm that smooths coarse meshes by iterative subdivision to create high-quality curvature.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Topology

not paper
type: Concept
broader: watercolor material
definition: Is the British convention for referring to Cold Pressed watercolor paper, it simply means 'Not hot pressed'
in scheme: watercolor painting

Art Influence
type: Concept
broader: Interpretation
definition: Influences can be many and varied. Artists can be influenced by other artists, both past and present. An artist's background, journey, and experiences can shape their work. For example, an artist's early experiences of the visible world can be deeply woven into their subconscious and carry over into their creative process. Also, basic visual factors like symmetry, complexity, contrast, curvature, color, and lines can influence aesthetic experiences.

masking
type: Concept
broader: assisted wash
definition: In watercolor painting, white areas are usually depicted by preserving the white of the paper. Masking fluid is a rubbery fluid which can be painted on to the watercolor paper and once dry, can be painted over preventing water from seeping through on to the paper. Masking fluid can be removed with gentle rubbing and peeling once the paint is dry.
editorial note: Chose to use 'masking' for the technique and 'maskingFluid' for the material; however, 'masking' does not necessarily imply the use of masking fluid
in scheme: watercolor painting

Vector Graphics
type: Concept
alternative label: Bezier Paths
broader: Digital Drawing & Painting
definition: Resolution-independent images defined by paths, fills, and strokes.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: SVG (vector)
related: PDF (document/vector)
related: EPS (vector)

bloom
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: See Backrun
in scheme: watercolor painting

publish
type: Concept
broader: visual art term
definition: Prepare and issue the work of (a particular writer).
in scheme: computer art terms
note: A tag used in Google Keep/Takeout to distinguish Keep notes intended for publication

brushing paint
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: The application of paint with a brush.
in scheme: Painting terms

Computational Geometry and Parametric Construction
type: Concept
order: 2
alternative label: Parametric Construction
broader: Digital Sculpture Process
definition: Build primitives and constraints, encode tensegrity rules, run solver checks, and perform parametric transforms.
editorial note: Here form becomes data. Parametric control and solver feedback ensure that variation does not drift away from the chosen logic. Outputs from this step should be clean enough to invite sculptural decisions, not fight them.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process
related: Sculptural Modeling of Figures and Form Elements
related: Conceptual Structuring and Formal Logic
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process

spattering
type: Concept
broader: paint diffusion
definition: "Spatter" refers to a technique where small, controlled droplets of paint are scattered across the surface, often achieved by flicking a brush with loaded paint, while "splatter" implies a larger, more chaotic distribution of paint, creating a messier effect with bigger drops, usually resulting from a more forceful application of paint; essentially, "spatter" is a more delicate version of "splatter."
in scheme: watercolor painting

Potters Pink
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: potters-pink-pigment.html
ARGB: FF5E2329
order: 16
symbol: PP
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

weight
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: The thickness of watercolor paper is referred to as it's weight. When measured in pounds (lbs) this refers to the weight of 500 sheets. Or it can be measured in gsm. i.e. Grams per square metre. Heavier weight paper is more expensive but is more resistant to cockling.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Realgar
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: realgar-pigment.html
ARGB: FFB67318
order: 14
symbol: R
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

over-painting
type: Concept
broader: brushing paint
definition: Cleaning up muddy or over-saturated areas, restoring white space (see; white space), creating highlights, or making blurry edges crisp again; generally speaking, over-painting is done with an opaque white water-based paint (such as Titanium White Gouache, or Chinese White Watercolour).Some traditionalist folks consider over-painting to be cheating, however it's a widely practiced technique and can be artfully done. Over-painting is often a much better solution than chucking out an otherwise successful painting.... Besides, who cares what some folks think! Art is not meant to be perfection.
in scheme: watercolor painting

wet-into-wet wash
type: Concept
alternative label: wet-on-wet
alternative label: Wet-Into-Wet
broader: wash
definition: Applying a new colour to the painting without waiting for earlier applications to dry first; colours blend together without leaving of any hard edges or sharp transitions; a technique that is only partially controllable.
in scheme: watercolor painting

ontology
type: Concept
broader: computer art term
definition: A set of concepts and categories in a subject area or domain that shows their properties and the relations between them.
in scheme: computer art terms
note: ontology

Burnt umber
type: Concept
Colour Index Code: PBr7
broader: Brown and Earth Group
definition: Calcined umber; stronger red-brown masstone with higher chroma than raw umber.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

Lead Tin Yellow Dark
type: WatercolorPaint
has pigment: lead-tine-yellow-dark-pigment.html
ARGB: FFC4B950
order: 11
symbol: LTYD
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: L. Cornelissen & Son
material: Homemade Watercolor Medium

aerial perspective
type: Concept
alternative label: atmospheric disturbance
alternative label: atmospheric perspective
broader: painting term
definition: Refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as viewed from a distance. As the distance between an object and a viewer increases, the contrast between the object and its background decreases, and the contrast of any markings or details within the object also decreases. The colours of the object also become less saturated and shift toward the background colour, which is usually bluish, but may be some other colour under certain conditions (for instance, reddish around sunrise or sunset).
in scheme: Painting terms

Major Historical Pigments
type: Concept
broader: pigment
definition: Canonical set of historically significant pigments used in artworks across periods and regions.
in scheme: Historical Pigments Scheme

graph embellishment process
type: Concept
broader: creative graph process
definition: Embellish a basic graphic representation of data.
in scheme: computer graphics processes

cat's tongue
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: Brush type; similar in shape to a Filbert brush, but with a pointed tip. The ideal tool for creating single-stroke flower petals and leaves.To help clarify the definitions of specialty brushes in this glossary, use this visual guide to basic brush shapes as a reference.
in scheme: watercolor painting

structured data graph process
type: Concept
broader: computer graphics process
definition: The process of producing a basic graphic representation of structured data.
in scheme: computer graphics processes

Tensegrity Icosahedron
type: Concept
alternative label: Icosahedral tensegrity
alternative label: 6-strut tensegrity icosahedron
broader: Types and Variants
definition: A tensegrity form in which compression members occupy positions consistent with icosahedral symmetry and are held solely by a continuous network of tension members so that compression members do not touch.
editorial note: Use this concept for high symmetry tensegrity exemplars. Distinguish it from a purely geometric icosahedron without a tension compression partition. For instances, record member counts, routing, and intended symmetry group with dedicated properties in the data model.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms
scope note: Common didactic models use six struts with a surrounding cable net; member counts and cable routing may vary while preserving non touching compression, global self stress, and approximate icosahedral symmetry.

Pen nib mask
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: A pen nib is used to apply masking fluid to the paper creating sharp edges and fine lines of resistance when the watercolor is applied over the dried mask.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Tensegrity Dome
type: Concept
broader: Applications and Contexts
definition: A hemispherical structure composed of struts and cables arranged for lightweight, stable enclosures.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

visual arts processes
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Processes are the steps taken to produce a completed creative work in the visual arts.
editorial note: Care is taken to distinguish processes from techniques. Processes focus on the order of steps while a technique can describe the details of a single step. It is possible to conceive of a many-to-many relationship between processes and techniques depending on the scale at which each is defined.
has top concept: process
note: Process is a useful concept but not a priority to elaborate on at this time.

T5 prism (left-handed)
type: Concept
has chirality: Left-Handed
alternative label: left-handed T5
alternative label: LH T5
broader: T5 prism
definition: Left-handed 5-strut tensegrity antiprism with left-handed helical cross-cables.
related: Chirality

Two-Color Grey 5
type: WatercolorPaint
has paint: Azure
has paint: Burnt Sienna
ARGB: FF656762
order: 1006
symbol: 2CG5
broader: Watercolor Paint

Mathematical and Mechanical Terms
type: Concept
broader: Tensegrity Term
definition: Analytical and geometric vocabulary used to describe equilibrium, force states, and structural computation in tensegrity.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

vegan brushes
type: Concept
broader: watercolor tool
definition: Vegan watercolor brushes are brushes made from synthetic fibers but have similar properties to natural hair brushes.
in scheme: watercolor painting

assisted wash
type: Concept
broader: wet-into-wet wash
definition: A watercolor wash in the presence of another material intended to affect the behavior of the wash
in scheme: watercolor painting

impressing
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: Pressing plastic wrap or fabric into a still wet application of paint; capable of creating a vast array textured effects.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Concept Art
type: Concept
alternative label: Visual Development
broader: Concept & Design
definition: Exploratory imagery that communicates ideas, tone, and direction before production assets are made.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production

Tensegrity Terms
type: ConceptScheme
broader: Fundamental Concepts
definition: A scheme containing all tensegrity terms. A controlled vocabulary of concepts related to tensegrity structures, analysis, fabrication, perception, and history.
in scheme: visual art terms

Techniques
type: Concept
broader: Sculpture Term
definition: Repeatable methods and procedures applied during creation and finishing.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
related: Creation Process

Materials, Light Logic and Rendering Setup (RS)
type: Concept
order: 5
alternative label: Materials and HDRI Setup (RS)
broader: personalized digital arts process
definition: Polished metal and high-clarity edges; HDRI sets to maximize luminous read; control temperature and shadow for force visibility.
editorial note: Lighting articulates tension with the authority of a chisel. The choice of HDRI is not cosmetic: it is how the piece announces its line of force to the eye. Treat reflections as drawn lines that happen to be made of light.
in scheme: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates
related: Presentation, Interactive Viewing and Contextualization (RS)
related: Export, Optimization and File Preparation (.glb) (RS)
top concept of: Digital Sculpture Process Rick Spates

Compositing
type: Concept
alternative label: Comp
broader: Lighting, Rendering & Compositing
definition: Assembling multiple layers and passes into a final image, with grading and effects.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Render Passes
related: Alpha Channel
related: Post-Processing

Watercolor Glossary of Terms (article)
type: Collection
member: hue
member: wet-into-wet wash
member: value
member: temperature color
member: tint
member: wet-into-dry wash
member: glazing
member: granulation
member: casein
member: pigment
member: charging
member: layering
member: rough paper
member: flat wash
member: lifting paint
member: staining colors
member: masking Fluid
member: palette knife
member: analogous Colors
member: hot pressed paper
member: drybrushTechnique
member: scrubbing
member: lost and found edges
member: gradated wash
member: gouache
member: variegated wash
member: cold-pressed paper
member: palette
member: transparent paint
member: soft edge
member: complementary colors
member: pan paint
member: hard edge
member: intensity

sanding dry paper
type: Concept
broader: removing paint
definition: Unusual textures can be made by lightly sanding the surface of a very dry painting with fine sandpaper. The surface takes on a slightly weathered appearance. The sanded area can be adjusted by the application of further washes.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Member Force Density
type: Concept
broader: Structural and Analytical Terms
definition: The ratio of internal force to member length. Force density is widely used in computational form-finding of tensegrities to solve for equilibrium shapes.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

resist
type: Concept
broader: assisted wash
definition: Any substance that can be applied to watercolour paper that will repel water and therefore paint pigment as well; wax crayons and oil pastels are commonly used resists: resists are generally a permanent addition to your painting (unlike frisket which is removed).
in scheme: watercolor painting

Creation Process
type: Concept
broader: Sculpture Term
definition: Planning and execution stages that produce a sculpture from concept to realized work.
in scheme: Sculpture Terms
note: Covers ideation, studies, modeling, assembly, finishing, and installation workflow.
related: Techniques
related: Documentation
related: Presentation and Installation

Bloom
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Applying fresh water drops to a wet, near dry or dry area of color produces a bloom by lifting paint in a fluid way resulting in organic shapes.
in scheme: watercolor painting

complementary colors
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: Complementary colors are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. In other words, they are the colors that are furthest apart from each other in terms of hue and color temperature. e.g Red and Green, or Orange and Blue. Complementary colors contrast with each other when placed side by side. When mixed together they tend to cancel each other out, forming a 'Muddy' neutral color.
in scheme: Painting terms

wet-into-dry wash
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: also known as a glaze or layering wash; a wash that's applied to a dry surface
in scheme: watercolor painting

dragging paint
type: Concept
broader: brushing paint
definition: Dipping a paint brush handle into fresh paint and dragging it through a wet wash makes an interesting, unpredictable line ranging from soft feathered edges to solid dabs of paint
in scheme: watercolor painting

Mesh
type: Concept
broader: 3D Modeling & Sculpting
definition: A set of vertices, edges, and faces describing the surface of a 3D object.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Topology
related: Retopology
related: UV Mapping

Personalized Art Processes
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Art processes for individual artists.
editorial note: Interestingly, overall they are quite close to the real processes though there are a few incorrect assumptions.
note: These individual artist processes were inferred by chagGpt after a review of the artist's work.

Fabric
type: Concept
broader: Texture Technique
definition: Apply a fabric like gauze to a water wash (or dry paper) shaping the fabric as needed. Choose colors and paint over the fabric. Let dry and remove the fabric to reaveal the texture of the fabric in the painted area. Some colors work well with fabric and some do not.
in scheme: watercolor painting

Art Technical Assessment
type: Concept
broader: Interpretation
definition: A technical assessment of a work of art is an examination of the work's technical execution, materials, and other aspects that can help determine its authenticity, history, and value.

variegated wash
type: Concept
broader: wet-into-wet wash
definition: type of wet-into-wet wash that involves placing colors side by side and then mixing and blending them along their edges
in scheme: watercolor painting

PNG (lossless raster)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: Lossless raster image format supporting transparency; suitable for web and compositing.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Raster Graphics

Van Dyke Brown
type: WatercolorPaint
ARGB: FF2E2926
order: 1009
symbol: VDB
broader: Watercolor Paint
brand: David Davis

Thesaurus for the Visual Arts, Part Two
comment: A thesaurus aligned with the CWVA creative-process domain ontology for the visual arts
contributor: visualartsdna.org
description: This thesaurus provides a vocabulary for describing data modeled by the CWVA ontology, http://visualartsdna.org/model/. Visit visualartsdna.org for more information.
issued: 2022-07-16T12:00:00Z
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
modified: 2025-06-22T12:00:00Z
publisher: visualartsdna.org
rights: copyright
title: Thesaurus for the Visual Arts
version info: v 2.0

watercolor painting
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Concepts in watercolor painting.
has top concept: watercolor material
has top concept: watercolor term
has top concept: watercolor tool
has top concept: watercolor technique

Resolution / DPI
type: Concept
alternative label: PPI
broader: Output & Presentation
definition: Quantification of image detail for print or viewing; DPI for print devices, PPI for pixel density.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Raster Graphics
related: Aspect Ratio

happy accident
type: Concept
broader: watercolor term
definition: An unintended and unforeseen event that occurred during the course of a painting which nevertheless resulted in a desirable effect.
editorial note: This better belongs under paintingTerm when that is available
in scheme: watercolor painting

OBJ (3D mesh)
type: Concept
broader: File Formats
definition: Plain-text 3D mesh interchange format supporting geometry, UVs, and materials via MTL.
in scheme: Digital Fine Art Production
related: Mesh
related: UV Mapping

painting term
type: Concept
broader: painting term
definition: A technique used in painting.
in scheme: Painting terms

Modal Behavior
type: Concept
broader: Structural and Analytical Terms
definition: The characteristic ways a tensegrity can oscillate or deform when excited dynamically. Modal behavior reveals resonance frequencies, softness directions, and stiffness distribution.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

Visual Equilibrium
type: Concept
broader: Artistic and Conceptual Terms
definition: The perceptual balance created when a tensegrity appears poised, neither collapsing nor exploding. Visual equilibrium is the felt stability that mirrors mechanical equilibrium.
in scheme: Tensegrity Terms

fan brush
type: Concept
alternative label: Fan
broader: watercolor tool
definition: A fan brush is often used in watercolor painting for painting grass and foliage. It is a short haired brush with the hairs spread out out in a fan shape. Ideal for blending edges, or mimicking the texture of many things such as fur, feathers, ripples on water, grasses, tree boughs.
in scheme: watercolor painting

opaque gouache contrast
type: Concept
broader: watercolor technique
definition: The contrast between transparent watercolor and flat, opaque gouache can add interest and vibrancy to a painting. Be sure to keep distinct areas of watercolor and gouache or the opaque/transparent contrast will be lost. See the article on Gouache for more information.
in scheme: watercolor painting