Art Appreciation Exam 2 Study Guide

Actual Shape

A positive area with clearly defined boundaries (as opposed to an implied shape). In other words, a shape that is physically there within the work of art.

Implied Shape

A shape that does not physically exist but is suggested through the psychological connection of dots, lines, areas, or their edges. The human mind's ability to connect this fragmented information is called the law of closure.

Negative Shapes

The area around a positive shape, often referred to as the ground.

Silhouette

The area between or bounded by the contours, or edges, of an object; the total shape.

Positive Shape

A shape that is distinguished from the background, commonly referred to as the figure.

Amorphous Shape

A shape without clear definition: formless, indistinct and uncertain dimensions. In other words, a subtle suggestion of shape without definition or certain dimensions.

Sfumato

A technique devised by Leonardo da Vinci of softly blending areas from light to dark, creating subtle transitions. Images often have vague outlines and a hazy or smoky appearance

Tenebrism

A technique of painting that exaggerates or emphasizes the effects of chiaroscuro. Larger amounts of dark value are placed close to smaller areas of highly contrasting lights-which change suddenly-in order to concentrate attention on important features.

Geometric Shape

Appears related to geometry, mathematically inspired. Geometric shapes are precise and regular, such as triangles and squares.

Subjective Shape

Derived from the mind, imagination rather than physical reality.

Chromatic Value

This type of value consists of the relative degree of lightness or darkness of a color.

Achromatic Value

This type of value consists of whites, blacks, and grays and relates solely to differences of lightness and darkness, without regard for hue (color) or intensity.

Chiaroscuro

A technique or representation that blends light and shadow gradually to create the illusion of three-dimensional objects in space or atmosphere. There are five stages of chiaroscuro shading: highlight, shading, core shadow, reflected light, and cast shadow.

Low-Key Value

A value that has a level of middle gray or darker.

High-Key Value

A value that has a value of middle gray or lighter.

Objective Shape

Based as closely as possible on physical reality.

Plastic Value

Is value used to create the illusion of space, volume, and depth

Decorative value

Is value which stresses the two-dimensional nature of the artwork

Rectilinear Shape

Shapes that are composed of straight-lines and angular corners.

Curvilinear Shape

Shapes that are dominated by curves and flowing edges.

Value

The primary definition of value we will use is the relative degree of lightness or darkness. Sometimes referred to as tone, or tonal range.

Volumetric Shapes

Volume- a measurable amount of three-dimensional space volume. In other words, a three-dimensional enclosure. For example, a square is a shape, and a cube has volume, or is a volumetric shape. Gradation, or shading, can be used to make a two-dimensional shape appear three dimensional, or volumetric.

Shape

an area that stands out from its surroundings because of defined or implied boundary or because of differences in value, color, or texture. Shape types include: objective, subjective, geometric, biomorphic, actual, implied and amorphous shapes.

Biomorphic Shape

irregular shapes that resembles natural organisms. Biomorphic shapes are made from rounding, curving, and often undulating edges that suggest living organisms or natural forces. Sometimes referred to as organic shapes.