Question 1: Describe the difference between blending and scumbling in painting. How does each technique affect the appearance of the artwork?

Answer: Blending involves smoothly mixing colors to create seamless transitions, often used for realistic skin tones or backgrounds. Scumbling is applying a thin, broken layer of lighter or darker paint over a dry layer, creating texture and a sense of movement.

Question 2: Explain how using a palette knife differs from using a brush when applying paint. What effects can each tool produce?

Answer: A palette knife allows for thick, textured application and bold, expressive strokes, often creating a rugged or impasto effect. A brush offers more control for detailed, smooth, or blended areas, enabling subtle gradations.

Question 3: List three different types of brushes used in painting and describe the unique qualities of each.

Answer: Round brush: versatile with a pointed tip for detail and lines. Flat brush: broad and angular, good for bold strokes and filling wide areas. Fan brush: spread out bristles ideal for blending, texture, and creating effects like foliage.

Question 4: Identify and explain the purpose of glazing in painting. How does it alter the final appearance?

Answer: Glazing involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint over dry areas. It enriches colour depth, adds luminosity, and creates a sense of atmosphere or mood in the artwork.

Question 5: Describe a scenario where dry brushing would be an effective technique. What visual effect does it produce?

Answer: Dry brushing is effective for creating rough textures or highlighting surfaces, such as depicting bark on trees or rough fabric. It produces a scratchy, textured appearance with visible brushstrokes.

Question 6: Sketch a simple landscape scene that demonstrates the use of wet-on-wet technique. In your sketch, indicate which parts would be painted wet-on-wet and which would be dry.

Answer: A landscape with soft, blended sky and mountains in the background showing wet-on-wet, while the foreground with trees and details is painted dry for sharper edges.

Question 7: Draw a still life object (such as an apple or a cup) and demonstrate the use of shading to indicate light and shadow. Label the areas with the light source and shadow.

Answer: A well-rendered sketch of the object showing a clear light source, with highlighted areas where the light hits directly, and shaded areas indicating shadows, demonstrating understanding of light and form.

Question 8: Sketch an abstract composition using only bold, expressive brushstrokes. Focus on movement and energy rather than realism.

Answer: A dynamic composition with large, sweeping strokes and varied textures that convey movement and emotion, emphasizing expressive use of paint.

Question 9: Explain how colour mixing can be used to create a harmonious painting. Provide an example of a colour scheme that achieves this.

Answer: Colour mixing involves blending colours to achieve desired hues and values, creating unity in a painting. An example is a monochromatic scheme using different shades of blue for a calming effect.

Question 10: Describe the purpose of underpainting. How does it influence the final layers of a painting?

Answer: Underpainting serves as a base layer that establishes tonal values and composition. It helps to create depth, correct errors early, and guide the subsequent layers for a cohesive final artwork.