ART Vocabulary Words

secondary colors

orange, green and violet.

Form

The empty or open area between, around, above, below, and within objects.

primary colors

The first three basic colors that cannot be made by mixing colors.

Space

The illusion of objects having depth on the 2-dimensional surface. Also how shapes are arranged in an artwork.

Proportion

The relation of one object to another in size, amount, number or degree-scale.

Variety

The use of different lines, shapes, textures, colors and other elements of design to create interest in a work of art.

triad

Three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel. Example: red, yellow and blue.

color spectrum

A band of colors produced when light shines through a prism.

Unity

A feeling that all the parts are working together as a team-the quality of wholeness.

Shape

A flat figure created when actual or implied lines surround a space-can be geometric or organic. Or any three dimensional object that can be measured by height, width, and depth.

Contrast

A large difference between things: for example rough and smooth or black and white.

Line

A mark with length and direction, created by a point that moves across a surface.

Texture

The element of art that refers to the surface quality or feel of an object-the smoothness, roughness, softness, etc.

Rhythm

A visual tempo or beat-often described as alternating, regular, flowing, progressive or jazzy.

Movement

A way of combining visual elements to produce a sense of action-or implied motion.

Value

An element of art that refers to the lightness or darkness of a color of media.

analogous

Another name for related colors-colors that appear next to each other on the color wheel.

Emphasis

Area in a work of art that catches and holds the viewers attention.

neutrals

Black, gray, brown and white.

Complementary

Colors that are directly opposite on the color wheel. When mixed together, they make a neutral gray or brown.

Tertiary

Colors that are made by mixing a primary with a secondary color. Also called intermediate colors.

hue

Common name for a color.

Color

Element of art produced when a wavelength of light strikes an object and reflects back to the eyes.

monochromatic

Made of only a single color or hue and its tints and shades.

Balance

Principle of design referring to the way the elements are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work-parts of equal visual weight.

Pattern

Repetition of the elements of art.