Red Seal Painter and Decorator Practice Exam

What does "spatter" refer to in painting?

1. The sound of paint hitting the floor

2. Small drops of paint ejected from the brush or roller onto unintended surfaces

3. A type of painting technique

4. Excess paint on the tool being used

The correct answer is: Small drops of paint ejected from the brush or roller onto unintended surfaces

In painting, "spatter" specifically refers to small drops of paint that are ejected from the brush or roller and land on surfaces that were not intended to receive paint. This can occur due to vigorous movement of the brush or roller, or when flicking the bristles of a brush, resulting in splattered droplets that create an unexpected or uncontrolled distribution of paint. This phenomenon can be both a nuisance and a stylistic choice, depending on the context of the project. The other options don't accurately capture the definition or context of "spatter." The sound of paint hitting the floor does not relate at all to the concept of spatter. A painting technique might involve controlled methods of applying paint, while spattering usually happens accidentally. Additionally, excess paint on a tool may cause a different type of issue, such as drips or runs, rather than spatter specifically. Therefore, the focus on small drops of ejected paint that lands on unintended surfaces defines the term most accurately.