ˈpeɪn.tɪŋ ˈpɪktʃə ˈpɪk(t)ʃɚ the occupation of a house painter house painting was the only craft he knew the act of applying paint to a surface you can finish the job of painting faster with a roller than with a brush creating a picture with paints he studied painting and sculpture for many years graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface a small painting by Picasso he bought the painting as an investment his pictures hang in the Louvre