Verbs Related to Art: English Vocabulary List

to produce an elementary and quick drawing of someone or something

"Draw a quick sketch."

"The detective asked the witness to sketch a rough outline of the suspect's face from memory."

to create a basic, initial version that outlines the main features of something

"Rough out the sketch before detailing."

"The artist roughed out a quick sketch of the landscape before starting to work on the detailed final painting."

to cut or carve designs or writings on a hard surface, often using acid or a laser beam

"The artist etched a design onto glass."

"The artist used acid to etch a detailed landscape into the surface of the copper plate for printing."

to darken part of a picture or drawing using pencils, etc.

"Shade the drawing lightly."

"The artist used a soft pencil to shade the background of the portrait, adding depth."

to draw or color something using a pencil or stick made of colored wax or chalk

"He will crayon the picture."

"The children loved to crayon colorful pictures of animals during their art class at school."

to aimlessly draw lines and shapes, particularly when one is bored

"The student doodled in his notebook."

"While listening to the long lecture she began to doodle small flowers and stars in the margins of her notebook."

to develop something using certain facts, ideas, situations, etc.

"Base your decision on evidence."

"The movie is based on a true story about a soldier who saved many lives during the war."

to combine different substances together

"Blend the fruits into a smoothie."

"You can blend the vegetables into a smooth soup by using a high speed immersion blender directly in the cooking pot."

to add something that enhances or improves the quality or appearance of someone or something

"This wine complements the cheese perfectly."

"The red wine complemented the steak perfectly enhancing the flavor of both the meat and the drink."

to make a dirty mark by rubbing or spreading something on a surface

"Don't smudge the ink."

"Be careful not to smudge the wet paint on the wall as you walk past it."

to use small dots or markings to create a pattern or texture often to create shading and to add detail to a work of art

"The artist stipples the canvas with dots."

"The artist used a small brush to stipple tiny dots of paint onto the canvas creating a textured effect that looked like skin."

to skillfully make something, particularly with the hands

"She crafts jewelry by hand."

"The artisan crafts beautiful wooden furniture by hand using traditional techniques passed down through generations of his family."

to bring something into existence or make something happen

"Artists create beautiful masterpieces."

"The artist used recycled materials to create a unique sculpture that highlights the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean."

to form a pattern or movement of lines or objects that cross each other in a regular pattern

"The hiking trails crisscross the mountain."

"The intricate network of roads crisscrossed the entire valley, connecting many small villages."

to carve or cut a design or lettering into a hard surface, such as metal or stone

"The jeweler engraved initials on the ring."

"The jeweler offered to engrave the couple's names and wedding date on the inside of their new gold rings."

to copy the style, technique, or subject matter of another artist or artwork

"She mimics the artist."

"The talented parrot can mimic human speech with surprising accuracy repeating words and phrases it has heard."

to make something again or bring it back into existence or imagination

"The museum recreates a Roman village."

"The museum aims to recreate the authentic atmosphere of a Victorian drawing-room for visitors."

to form a mental image or picture of something

"Visualize your success before competing."

"The coach asked the athletes to visualize themselves winning the race before they even stepped onto the track to compete."