brushwork
The manner in which an artist applies paint to a surface with a brush, often characterized by its texture and the visible marks left behind. In art criticism, it refers to the specific technique or style of strokes that define an artist's unique hand.
Examples
3 of 5The painter's brushwork was so smooth that the surface looked like a photograph.
The painter's brushwork was so smooth that the surface looked like a photograph.
The museum curator praised the artist's masterful brushwork in the Renaissance exhibit.
The museum curator praised the artist's masterful brushwork in the Renaissance exhibit.
I really like the messy brushwork on this canvas; it feels very modern.
I really like the messy brushwork on this canvas; it feels very modern.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of it as the 'work' done by the 'brush'—it is the physical evidence of the artist's labor on the canvas.
Quick Quiz
The critic noted that the artist's ______ was surprisingly delicate for such a large-scale mural.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brushwork
Examples
The painter's brushwork was so smooth that the surface looked like a photograph.
everydayThe painter's brushwork was so smooth that the surface looked like a photograph.
The museum curator praised the artist's masterful brushwork in the Renaissance exhibit.
formalThe museum curator praised the artist's masterful brushwork in the Renaissance exhibit.
I really like the messy brushwork on this canvas; it feels very modern.
informalI really like the messy brushwork on this canvas; it feels very modern.
Detailed analysis of the impasto technique reveals rapid and impulsive brushwork characteristic of Van Gogh.
academicDetailed analysis of the impasto technique reveals rapid and impulsive brushwork characteristic of Van Gogh.
Our restoration team is focusing on preserving the original brushwork of the 18th-century portrait.
businessOur restoration team is focusing on preserving the original brushwork of the 18th-century portrait.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
masterful brushwork
masterful brushwork
bold brushwork
bold brushwork
intricate brushwork
intricate brushwork
Often Confused With
Brushing refers to the act of using a brush (like hair or teeth), whereas brushwork refers specifically to the artistic technique in painting.
Usage Notes
Brushwork is a noun used specifically in the context of visual arts to describe the physical quality of paint on a canvas. It is rarely used outside of art history, restoration, or painting tutorials.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'brushwork' as a verb; however, it is strictly a noun. Use 'brush' or 'apply paint' for the action.
Memory Tip
Think of it as the 'work' done by the 'brush'—it is the physical evidence of the artist's labor on the canvas.
Word Origin
A compound of the English words 'brush' (from Old French 'broce') and 'work' (from Old English 'weorc'), emerging in the 19th century to describe artistic style.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The visibility of brushwork changed significantly in art history, from the hidden, smooth finishes of Neoclassicism to the highly visible, emotional brushwork of the Impressionists.
Quick Quiz
The critic noted that the artist's ______ was surprisingly delicate for such a large-scale mural.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brushwork
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
exarchness
C1The state or quality of being an exarch, specifically referring to the authoritative status or regional jurisdiction of a deputy ruler or high-ranking ecclesiastical official. It describes the inherent power and dignity associated with governing a province or diocese on behalf of a higher sovereign.
perihumer
C1A technical term referring to the anatomical region or specific tissue structures immediately surrounding the humerus bone in the upper arm. It is primarily used in orthopedic medicine and physical therapy to describe areas of concern during surgery, injury assessment, or prosthetic fitting.
microfluship
C1A precise, automated release of a minimal amount of fluid or data used to clear a micro-system or reset high-sensitivity sensors. It is typically employed in microfluidic engineering and advanced computing to prevent sediment buildup or signal noise.
antiponness
C1The quality or state of being opposed to or averse to hard labor, toil, or physical exertion. It describes a deep-seated resistance to performing arduous tasks, often found in philosophical or psychological discussions about the nature of work.
forenumerary
C1Describes something that pertains to an initial or preliminary counting or listing that occurs before the main enumeration. It is typically used in administrative, historical, or technical contexts to refer to items or individuals recorded ahead of a final official tally.
detangite
C1To separate components, strands, or ideas that have become intricately intertwined or knotted. It is most frequently used in formal or technical contexts to describe the process of unravelling a complex situation, data set, or physical structure.
unitangine
C1Describing a process or system that operates through a single point of contact or a singular, unbranching focus. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to denote a direct and isolated interaction between two entities.
enjectment
C1Ejectment is a legal action or remedy brought by a person who claims title to real property to recover possession of that property. It is primarily used to remove a tenant or squatter who is wrongfully occupying the land and to settle disputes regarding the rightful owner's title.
invertite
C1Describing something that has been reversed in position, order, or nature, or turned upside down. It is a highly specialized or archaic term used primarily in technical, historical, or biological contexts to denote a state of inversion.
malteghood
C1Describing a state marked by deep-seated communal loyalty and historical resilience. It refers to qualities or behaviors that prioritize the preservation of a group's collective identity and shared fortitude above individual interests.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free