Art fundamental 1.8, 1.9, 1.10
Style
a characteristic way in which an artist or group of artists uses visual language to give a work an identifiable form of visual expression
Contrast
a drastic difference between such elements as color or value (lightness/darkness) when they are presented together
Implied line
a line not actually drawn but suggested by elements in the work
Line
a mark, or implied mark, between two endpoints
Balance
a principle of art in which elements are used to create a symmetrical or asymmetrical sense of visual weight in an artwork
Woodcut
a print created from an incised piece of wood
Taoism
a religion that emphasizes living in harmony through the Tao, or "Way," by balancing opposing forces (Yin and Yang)
Linear perspective
a system using converging imaginary sight lines to create the illusion of depth
Shape
a two-dimensional area, the boundaries of which are defined by lines or suggested by changes in color or value
Pattern
an arrangement of predictably repeated elements
Expressionism, Expressionist
an artistic style at its height in 1920s Europe, devoted to representing subjective emotions and experiences instead of objective or external reality
Triptych
an artwork comprising three painted or carved panels, normally joined together and sharing a common theme
Formal analysis
analysis of the form or visual appearance of a work of art using the visual language of elements and principles
Abstract
art imagery that departs from recognizable images from the natural world
Neutral
colors (such as blacks, whites, grays, and dull gray-browns) made by mixing complementary hues
Interpretation
explaining or translating a work of art, using factual research, personal response, or a combination of the two
Hue
general classification of a color; the distinctive characteristics of a color as seen in the visible spectrum, such as green or red
Three-dimensional
having height, width, and depth
Principles
the "grammar" applied to the elements of art—contrast, balance, unity, variety, rhythm, emphasis, pattern, scale, proportion, and focal point
Elements
the basic vocabulary of art—line, form, shape, volume, mass, color, texture, space, time and motion, and value (lightness/darkness)
Focal point
the center of interest or activity in a work of art, often drawing the viewer's attention to the most important element
Depth
the degree of recession in perspective
Space
the distance between identifiable points or planes
Anamorphosis
the distorted representation of an object so that it appears correctly proportioned only when viewed from one particular position
Unity
the imposition of order and harmony on a design
Value
the lightness or darkness of a plane or area
Content
the meaning, message, or feeling expressed in a work of art
Subordination
the opposite of emphasis; it draws our attention away from particular areas of a work
Color
the optical effect caused when reflected white light of the spectrum is divided into separate wavelength
Outline
the outermost line or implied line of an object or figure, by which it is defined or bounded
Middle ground
the part of a work between the foreground and background
Foreground
the part of a work depicted as nearest to the viewer
Background
the part of a work depicted furthest from the viewer's space, often behind the main subject matter
Vanishing point
the point in a work of art at which imaginary sight lines appear to converge, suggesting depth
Emphasis
the principle of drawing attention to particular content within a work
Palette
the range of colors used by an artist (See Chapter 1
Rhythm
the regular or ordered repetition of elements in the work
Volume
the space filled or enclosed by a three-dimensional figure or object
Texture
the surface quality of a work, for example fine/coarse, detailed/lacking in detail
Composition
the way in which a whole or mixture is made up
Primary colors
three basic colors from which all others are derived
Memento mori
Latin phrase that means "remember that you must die." In artworks, such symbols as skulls, flowers, and clocks are used to represent the transient nature of life on Earth