Basic Art Term

Variety

A change in form, shape, detail or appearance that makes an object different from others

Pattern

A choice of lines, colors or shapes, repeated over and over in a planned way

Secondary Colors

A color made by mixing two equal amounts of two primary colors

Color Wheel

A curricular chart of colors of the visible color spectrum. It is commonly used to remember color relationships when working with pigments

Sketch

A drawing done quickly to show the important parts of a subject

Freehand

A drawing done without tracing paper or drawing tools such as a ruler or compass

Cont1our Drawing

A drawing which consists or primarily the outside of the object

Unity

A feeling that all parts of a design are working together as a team

Shape

A flat figure created when actual or implied lines meet to surround a space

Alternating

A form of visual rhythm created in an artwork by repeating two or more different artistic elements, one beside or near the other

Slab

A form that is solid,flat and thick

Cartoon

A full-sized drawing used as a plan for a painting, especially for a mural. It can also be a funny drawing that tells a story

Figure

A general term for any shape or form that we see as part separate from the background

Gradation

A gradual, smooth change, as in from light to dark, from rough to smooth, or from one color to another

Mold

A hollow shape used to make one or many copies of an object

Contrast

A large difference between two things: for example, rough and smooth, yellow and purple, and light and shadow. Contrast usually adds excitement

Outline

A line that shows or creates the outer edges of a shape or form

Contour

A line which shows or describes the edges, ridges or outline of a shape or form

Brushstrokes

A line, shape or texture created by putting paint on a surface with a paint brush

Line

A mark created by a point that moves across a surface

Artist

A person skilled in creating artwork

Balance

A principle of design that describes the arrangement of parts of an artwork

Mixed Media

Any artwork that is made with more than one medium

Pigment

Any coloring matter, usually a fine powder, mixed with a liquid or binder to make paint, ink, dyes or crayons

Plane

Any surface that is flat

Form

Any three-dimensional object

Emphasis

Area in a work of art that catches the eye of the viewer

Bisque

Ceramic that has been fired once without being glazed

Slip

Clay combined with water or vinegar, to form a thick liquid. Slip is used on scored areas of clay to join pieces of clay together

Complementary

Colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel When complements are mixed together they make a neutral brown or gray

Perspective

Techniques for creating a look of depth on a two-dimensional surface

Ceramics

The art of making artwork with clay

Ground

The background of an artwork.

Hue

The common name of a color in or related to the color spectrum

Color

The common name of a color in relation to the color spectrum, such as yellow, red, blue. Also known as Hue

Space

The empty or open area between, around, above, below, or within objects

Medium

The material and technique used by and artist to create a work of art.

Dominant

The part of the artwork that is most powerful, important or has the most influence on the viewer

Design

The plan, organization, or arrangement of elements in a work of art

Art Criticism

The process and the result of thinking carefully about art

Firing

The process of adding heat to clay object in order to harden it permanently

Proportion

The relation of one object to another

Style

The result of an artist's means of expression - the use of materials, design qualities, methods of work, and choice of subject matter

Texture

The way a surface feels or how it looks like it could:would feel

Transparent

Allowing light to pass through so that objects behind the surface can be clearly seen

Focal Point

An area of an artwork that attracts the viewer's attention

Technique

An artist's way of using art materials to create a desired artwork

Value

An element of art that means the darkness or lightness of a surface

Kiln

An oven similar to a furnace used to fire ceramics

Wedging

A process used to get air out bubbles out of clay

Portfolio

A sample of an artist's work

Modeling

A sculpture technique in which a three-dimensional form is shaped in a soft material such as clay

Charcoal

A soft drawing material made from charred wood or vines

Linear Perspective

A system of drawing used to give a flat surface dimension and depth that uses vanishing points.

Exhibit

A temporary show or display of a group of artworks

Dimension

A term used in art for the actual measurements of length, width, and depth

Fixative

A thin liquid applied to a surface to help prevent smearing, flaking or fading

Asymmetrical

A type of visual balance in which the two sides of a composition are different yet balanced

Rhythm

A type of visual or actual movement in an artwork

Movement

A way of combining visual elements to produce a sense of action

Collage

A work of art created by gluing bits of paper, fabrics, scraps, prhotographs, or other materials to a flat surface

Sculpture

A work of art with three dimensions

Matte

Having a dull texture. Opposite of glossy and shiny.

Foreground

In a scene or artwork, the part that seems closest to the viewer

Score

In clay work, artists score groves or make scratched into surfaces of clay that will be joined

Glaze

In painting, a thin layer of transparent paint. In ceramics, a thin coating of minerals fused to clay by firing

Opaque

Not allowing light to go through. An object you cannot see through

Primary Colors

One of three basic colors (red, yellow, blue) that cannot be made by mixing any other color

Background

Parts of the artwork that appear to be in the distance or behind the objects in the foreground

Media

Plural of medium. The materials used by an artist and the special techniques that make their use expressive

Composition

To create, form or design something by arranging separate parts to create a whole