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