I have just received my order, thank you! This is just great. Even with the membership fee, I saved money. I also want to let you know that I have passed your web page info to some other artists here in Colorado. Again, thanks for such timely service, good products and great prices!

Mary Castle Rock, CO

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Glossary

ground

A surface to which paint is applied or the material used to create that surface. A painting's ground is usually specially prepared on its support. Traditionally, for oil paint on canvas use a ground of oil and white pigment and on wood surfaces either an oil ground or gesso. Within a picture, ground may refer to a surrounding or background area. Also, in etching, it's an acid-resistant compound through which a design is drawn.

Example: Sam Francis often painted on ungrounded canvas.

xylography

A printing technique that involves carving text in relief upon a wooden block. When inked, the impression is transferred to paper. The oldest known printed works were produced by this method in Japan and China during the 8th and 9th centuries. This method of wood-block printing appeared in Europe in the 14th century and eventually inspired Johannes Gutenberg to create type pieces out of metal.