ART TERMS

Varity:

Adds Interest.

IMPLIED LINES

Not really there but guide the eye or organize the image. (lines that are indicated indirectly in artworks at edges where two shapes meet, where a form ends and the space around it begins, or by positioning several objects or figures in a row)

Contrast:

The difference between elements in an artwork, it uses elements that conflict with one another. Can create interest in a work. (ie using complementary colors, extreme lights/darks, large/small sizes) (Art Examples: Van Gogh "the Ox Cart" 1884, Alfred Stiegletz "O'keefe" 1918)

Negative Space

The emptiness/surrounding space between the shapes or forms.

Radial balance

The major components in a composition radiate out from a common central point, resulting in a kind of visual circulation. Radially balanced compositions may also be symmetrical or asymmetrical Clock faces and daisies are examples of radial balance.

Positive Space

The shapes/Forms of interest

Color Schemes AKA Color Harmonies

an eye pleasing arrangement of colors. Extreme Unity (similarity) of colors leads to under stimulation. (the work is seen as boring /bland & viewer disengages.) Extreme complexity/variety of colors leads to over stimulation. (it's chaotic & something the viewer doesn't want to see) Color Schemes are also known as "Formulas for Color Harmony"

Regular Rhythm

a repetition of elements that are evenly spaced

Tones

adding Gray to a pure hue

Shades

adding black to a pure hue

Tints

adding white to a pure hue

Relating to other colors

compare/contrast differs when different colors are used. For example Orange on an red background seems to blend together while orange on a blue green background pops. Similarly a secondary color might look different when framed by its tertiary colors to the right and left. V framed by BV&RV

Color Wheel

developed by Sir Isaac Newton: ROY G BIV. Has 3 primary colors, 3 secondary colors, and 6 tertiary colors (aka intermediate) (12 total colors, R, RV, V, BV, B, BG, G, YG, Y, YO, O, RO

Irregular Rhythm

elements are repeated but not exactly

Free Standing Sculpture

freestanding solid pieces, surrounded on all four sides by empty space. Further divided into Sculpture in the Round and Assemblage Sculpture

Value Scale

guide for creating range of value (good works of art have a full range of value.)

Color Context

how colors behave in relation to other colors & shapes.

Simulated Textures

imitates real texture

Color Value

refers to the lightness/darkness of a given pigment color. Tints are the (highlights) lightened values, Shades are the (shadows) darkened Values, and Tones are the grayed values.

Intensity

refers to the purity of a given color or how bright/dull the color is

Line quality or line weight

refers to the thickness or thinness of a line. By varying the line quality artists can make objects appear more 3-Deminsional and more interesting

Smooth Textures

reflect light evenly

Rough Textures

reflect light unevenly

VALUE IN 2D TEXTURE

reveals the illusion of the texture.

Cool Colors, Color Scheme/Harmony

splits the color wheel and give an impression of calm and create a soothing effect. They are V, BV, B, BG, G, YG

Warm Colors, Color Scheme/Harmony

splits the color wheel are vivid and energetic (like fire) and tend to advance in space, they are Y, YO, O, RO, R, RV

Visual Textures

the illusion of a 3D surface

Monochromatic Color Scheme/Harmony

tints & shades of one hue, uses a variation of lightness/saturation of a hue

Tetradic or Rectangle Color Scheme/Harmony

uses 4 colors in 2 complimentary color pairs. It is the richest of the color schemes but the hardest to balance. It works best if you allow one color to dominate or subdue the other colors. (ie B,O,Y,V; R,G&B,O.)

Hatching and crosshatching (line)

using lines to create value

Positive Shape

usually the subject matter within a work of art

Symmetrical/Formal Balance

when both sides of an artwork, if split down the middle, appear to be the same. The Japanese Flag is an example of Symmetrical balance.

Foil

when one area of heavy texture is near an area of smooth texture.

Asymmetrical/Informal Balance

when two sides of an artwork are different. The American flag is an example of asymmetrical balance.

Mid-tone

medium/grayed values of a given color

Value/ Tone

refers to a colors lightness/ darkness

A person can't create art without utilizing at least a few of the Elements. Knowing what the elements of art are enables us to:

(1) describe what an artist has done, (2) analyze what is going on in a particular piece and (3) communicate our thoughts and findings using a common language.

Form

1. Having the three dimensions of length, width, and depth. Also referred to as a solid. 2. The organization, placement or relationship of basic elements, as volumes or voids in a sculpture, so as to produce a coherent image.

Triadic Color Scheme/Harmony

3 colors equally spaced in the color wheel. Popular because it gives a strong visual contrast while retaining balance & color richness. It's not as contrasting as complimentary but has a more balanced and harmonious look. To properly use Triadic Harmony you should carefully balance the colors, letting one color be dominant and using the other two as accent colors. (ie R,B,Y; O,G,V.)

Split Complimentary Color Scheme/Harmony

A 3 color variation of the regular complimentary color scheme using instead two colors on either side of a given complimentary color. It provides high contrast with less tension than the regular complimentary color scheme. Hard to mess up so its good for beginners. (ie R,BG,YG; G,RV,O.)

3 Characteristics of Color

All colors are mixed from primary colors Red, Yellow and Blue

Shadows

Area of an object where light does not hit.

Highlights

Area of an object where light hits

Negative Shape

Background or space around the positive shapes

TEXTURE IN 2D

Can be created by changes in value; by modifying how light interacts with a surface through shadow and highlight, layering, or adding materials (like adding sand to paint).

TEXTURE IN 3D (SCULPTURE)

Can be created by hammering, carving, embossing, or molding the surface of a given material.

Geometric Shape

Can be described in mathematical terms and are very regular/precise and are often found in man-made things. (i.e. squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, ovals, pentagons etc....)

Complimentary Color Scheme/Harmony

Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. (i.e. red & Green) Good for small accents or emphasis but must be managed well so it is not Jarring. Gives maximum contrast & maximum stability. (ie red & green, blue & Orange,)

Principles of Art/Design:

Emphasis, Contrast, Pattern, Rhythm, Movement, Balance, Proportion, Unity - They help artists organize artwork so it feels more comfortable to viewers.

Assemblage

Free Standing Sculpture made of different objects put together.

Secondary Colors

Green, Orange, Violet/Purple. These are the colors made by mixing even parts of the primary colors.

Movement:

How the eye moves around inside a work of art. (See: rhythm samples)

Color

Is an element derived from reflected light. We see color because light waves are reflected from objects to the eye. The term "Prismatic Color" is referring to color that comes from white light (sunlight) these pure colors are typified by the colors found in the rainbow (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet). These colors are NOT the same as "Pigment Colors" (or manmade colors) which use color theory. Which are different properties and rules that apply to the use of manmade pigments. (It's called 'color theory' because a theory is something that can't be scientifically defined and color theory cant be defined.)

Balance:

Is the arrangement of elements so that no one area overpowers another; or how elements are arranged to create stability. Simply put, it is the comfortable arrangement of things in art. (Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, Radial) • Symmetrical- • Asymmetrical- • Radial-

Emphasis:

Is the focal point in a composition, where one area stands out or draws the viewers' eye.

Rhythm:

Is the repetition of shapes, lines, and forms. repetition of elements to produce the look and feel of movement. principle of art. (ie Marcel Duchamp's "Nude Descending Staircase", or Van Gogh's "Starry Night")

Unity:

Is when all the elements work together to create a pleasing image. All is in Harmony. • Harmony-

Pattern:

It is a repetition of design, an element that occurs over and over again in a composition. Decorates surfaces with planned and repeated units. • The element can be repeated in a consistent pattern. • The element can be repeated in a variation of the pattern.

Proportion (scale):

It is the size and quantity of elements in a given composition; the comparative relationship of one part (element) to another with respect to size and scale. It may also help create the illusion of 3-D space. Can be used to show emphasis (something larger than it should be/ larger than the things around them) • Scale- often refers to relating size to a constant, such as a human body

Elements of Art

Line, shape, form, color, value, space, & texture. These are the building blocks artists work with to create artwork.

Line

Line- element of art. In terms of art, line can be described as a moving dot. Line is perhaps the most basic element of drawing. Kinds of lines: Vertical lines, Horizontal lines, Diagonal lines, Zigzag lines, Curved lines, Line Variation, Length, Width, Texture, Direction, Degree of curve, Line quality or line weight, Hatching and crosshatching. IMPLIED LINES

Curved lines

Lines that change direction gradually

Impasto - Texture

Painting technique where painting is built up on the surface of the painting to create texture.

Shape

Refers to an area that stands out because of a defined boundry or change in color, value, or texture. Shape implies a flat 2-Dimensional Surface. (DIFFERENT FROM FORM) It can be categorized into Geometric Shapes and Organic/Freeform Shapes.

Space

Refers to the emptiness, or area between around, above, below, or within objects. Terms: Positive Space, Negative Space, 3D Space,There are 2 main types of Sculpture: Relief, Free Standing

Value

Refers to the lightness or darkness of a piece. The whole point of Value is to create the illusion of light. Value is used to create the illusion of highlights and shadows, which combine to create the illusion of a light source. Without light you cant see and without a light source there is no Illusion. • Tints- the lightened values • Shades- the darkened values • Mid-tones- the medium/grayed values of a given color • Light source- area "light" is originating from • Value Scale- guide for creating range of value (good works of art have a full range of value.) • Highlights- Area of an object where light hits • Shadows- Area of an object where light does not hit.

Square Color Scheme/Harmony

Similar to Tetradic/ Rectangle color scheme but with all four colors spaced evenly around the circle. It works best if you let one color be dominant, like with the Tetradic/ Rectangle color scheme. (ie R,G,BV,YO; V,Y,BG,RO.)

3D Space

Space over, under, around, & behind a given 3D form. Easily found in Sculptures (which have length, width and depth {LxWxD}) There are 2 main types of Sculpture: Relief, Free Standing

Shiny Texture

Surface opposite of Matte, reflects a hard bright light.

Matte Texture

Surface that reflects a soft or dull light

Primary Colors

The 3 base colors are: Red, Yellow, Blue. All other Pigment colors are mixed from these 3 colors. Using any other colors you cannot make these 3 base colors.

Texture

Used to describe how a 3D object ACTUALLY feels or a 2D object LOOKS LIKE it feels. This is important because it evokes a response besides the visual. Basically texture is the look/feel of an object. • VALUE IN 2D TEXTURE- reveals the illusion of the texture. • TEXTURE IN 3D (SCULPTURE)- Can be created by hammering, carving, embossing, or molding the surface of a given material. • TEXTURE IN 2D (Drawing, painting, etc...) - Can be created by changes in value; by modifying how light interacts with a surface through shadow and highlight, layering, or adding materials (like adding sand to paint). o Foil- when one area of heavy texture is near an area of smooth texture. o Visual Textures- the illusion of a 3D surface o Simulated Textures- imitates real texture o Rough Textures- reflect light unevenly o Smooth Textures- reflect light evenly o Matte- Surface that reflects a soft or dull light o Shiny- Surface opposite of Matte, reflects a hard bright light. o Impasto- Painting technique where painting is built up on the surface of the painting to create texture.

Tertiary Colors aka Intermediate

Yellow-Orange, Red-Orange, Red-Violet/Purple, Blue-Violet/Purple, Blue-Green, Yellow-Green. Mixing a primary color and a secondary color makes these six colors.

Hue

a colors name (i.e. red, blue, mauve, pink, etc..)

Relief Sculpture

a form of picture that projects or is mounted out from a vertical surface. Often carved out of one block.

Analagous Color Scheme/Harmony

any 3 colors whch are side-by-side on the 12 part color wheel. (usually only 1 of the 3 is primary) often found in nature and are eye pleasing and considered harmonious. Its important to make sure you have a good amount of contrast when choosing analogous colors. Pick a dominant color, a support color, & use the 3rd as an accent (along with b, w &gray). (ie blue-violet, violet, red-violet; blue-green, green, yellow-green)

Light source

area "light" is originating from

Progressive Rhythm

as elements repeat, the increase/decrease in size, a variation of alternating rhythm, but there is a feeling of a sequential pattern or a shape that changes in a regular manner. this type of rhythm is most often achieved with a progressive variation of the size of a shape, though its color, value, or texture could be the varying element.

Color Theory

broken into 3 parts, color wheel, color value and color schemes

Organic or Freeform Shape

can be difficult to describe using definitions, are irregular or uneven and are more often found in nature. (i.e. clouds, leaves, trees, puddles, rocks etc....)

Sculpture in the Round

carved/made sculpture, commonly what is thought of when thinking Sculpture.

Line Variation

line that changes from thick to thin; used to show depth, create points of emphasis, and imply movement. adding interest to your lines is important in creating successful artwork.

Length (line)

lines can be long or short

Texture (line)

lines can be rough or smooth

Width (line)

lines can be wide or skinny

Degree of curve (line)

lines can curve gradually or not at all

Direction (line)

lines can move in any direction

Hatching (line)

lines going in the same direction

Zigzag lines

lines made from a combination of diagonal lines

Horizontal lines

lines that are parallel to the horizon

Crosshatching (line)

lines that cross

Vertical lines

lines that move up and down without any slant

Diagonal lines

lines that slant