painting (coating) <p>The application of paint to a surface primarily for protection or to apply a general color. For the application of pigments to a surface to create an expressive or communicative image, use "painting (image-making)."</p> <p>Source: AAT</p> <p><a href="http://vocab.getty.edu/page/aat/300161986">http://vocab.getty.edu/page/aat/300161986</a></p>