art appreciation 1.6-1.9

Radial Balance

A composition in which all visual elements are balanced around and radiate from a central point. (Can imply circular and repeating elements)

The golden section

A proportional ratio (1 : 1.618) used by artists and the ancient Greeks in both architecture and other works of art. (In many natural object, but not the human body)

Altering rhythm

Addition and alteration of rhythms can add unpredictability and visual excitement

distorted scale

An artist may deliberately distort scale to create an abnormal or supernatural effect

simple repetitive rhythm

Artists create repetition by using the same shape, color, size, value, line, or texture over and over again (communicates reassurance

scale

Artists make conscious choices about this, depending on the message they want to communicate (they also consider the cost, time, and location available)

Rhythm

-When there are at least two points of reference in an artwork -guides our eyes from one point to another in a work and gives structure to the experience or working

Motif

-a design or color repeated as a unit in a pattern -can represent ideas/images/themes and create a strong unified design

Balance

-parts of a work can have visual weight or impact -It provides a visual equilibrium and helps the work appear complete -this is identified by noticing differences between two halves

Unity

-provides cohesiveness and helps communicate visual ideas -organized materials into a harmonious composition

Variety

A collection of ideas, elements, or materials that are fused together into one design

what are the three types of unity?

Compositional, Conceptual, and Gestalt

rhythmic design structure

How artists divide visual space into different sections to achieve different kinds of effect

Symmetrical Balance

If a work can be cut in half and each side looks exactly (or nearly exactly) the same (ex: human body, most animals, etc.)

progressive rhythm

Repetition that regularly increases or decreases in frequency creating this as the eye moves faster or slower across the work

hierarchical scale

The use of scale to indicate relative importance/The most important figure is made the largest

Focal point

Tools artists use to give specific emphasis to an important symbol, event, or feature in it

Pattern

Use of repetition in a work can create this. It can impose order on a work. The area covered by this is called the field

emphasis

When there are multiple elements within a work but one of them isn't very dominating

Asymmetrical Balance

Where elements on the left and right side of a work aren't the same, but counter each other out.

Compositional Unity

organizing all the visual aspects of a work (too much similarity can be monotonous and to much variety can have a lack of structure)

Gestalt Unity

something in which the whole seems greater than the sum of its parts (the composition and ideas that make an artwork and our experience of it)

Conceptual Unity

the cohesive expression of ideas within a work of art (different images that conjure a single notion)

proportion

the relationship between the sizes of different parts of a work make up its properties (it can enhance expressive and descriptive characteristics)