Types of pictures

an oil painting

a water-colour / pastel picture

a sketch / a study

a family group / ceremonial / intimate portrait

a self-portrait

a shoulder-length / full-length / half-length portrait

a landscape

a seascape / marine picture

a genre painting

a historical painting

a flower piece

a still life

a battle piece

an engraving

an etching

a rural / industrial landscape

a street scene

an interior

graphic art

a caricature

a mural

Composition

in the foreground / background

in the top / bottom / left-hand corner

to be set against the background of…

to arrange symmetrically / assymetrically / in a pyramid format

to define more sharply

to emphasize contours

to be almost invisible

to merge into single entity / whole

to blend with the landscape

to be represented standing / sitting / lying / talking / going about one's daily duties

to be posed against an open sky / a classic pillar / drapery

the subject of the picture

to be done in perspective / out of perspective

to show a fine command of perspective

life-like

the picture vividly portrays / conveys…

the artist employs an unconventional composition of…

the artist communicates to the viewer…

to create a movement leading toward…