Art vocab list - Lecture notes 4 PDF

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lecture notes on Vocabulary words...

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Visual Art Basic Vocabulary

abstract

To simplify, rearrange or distort an image or a nonrepresentational form of art.

aesthetics

The philosophy or study of the nature of visual elements, the value of the arts and the inquiry processes and human responses associated. Basically the visual qualities of a work.

analysis

In art criticism, the step in which you determine how the principles of art are used to organize the elements of art. In art history, the steps used to determine the style of the work.

art criticism

An organized approach for objectively studying a work of art consisting of four stages: description, analysis, interpretation and judgment.

balance

A principle of art that is concerned with the sense of stability of the visual elements. Three types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial.

color

A visual element that refers to what the eyes see when light is reflected off an object. Hue: the name of a color, eg green, red, blue, etc. Value: the degree of lightness or darkness. Intensity: the saturation of a color, its intensity.

composition

refers to how an artist organizes forms (shapes, line, etc) in an artwork, either by placing them on a flat surface or arranging them in space.

content

The message the work communicates. The content can relate to the subject matter or be an idea or emotion. Theme is another word for content.

contrast

The differences between the visual elements used to create variety, emphasis or interest, eg. the difference between light and dark, or blue and red.

emphasis

A principle of art that stresses one element of art, defines a center of interest or draws attention to

certain areas with a work of art. form

The physical shape that the work takes, eg a painting (2-dimensional) or sculpture (3-dimensional).

line

Could be thought of as: a point moving through space, an invisible line of sight, or a visual axis. A continuous line that describes the outline of an object is called a contour line.

medium (media)

The materials used to create a work of art.

movement

A relationship of colors and forms that guide a viewer’s eye throughout the work. Also refers to an art historical trend.

negative space

Spaces surrounding shapes or forms in two- and three-dimensional art.

perspective

The point of view used to create a scene within twodimensional space. Also can refer to the ideological point of view of the artist.

positive space

Shapes or forms in two-dimensional and threedimensional art.

proportion

The relationships in size of forms, line, etc within one work of art.

rhythm

A principle of art in which the appearance of movement is created by the recurrence of elements.

scale

When proportional relationships are created relative to a specific unit of measurement.

shape

The visual element that has two-dimensions: height and width. A space with a defined or implied boundary. Two basic groups: geometric and organic.

space

The visual element that refers to the area between, around, above, below and within objects. Actual: 3dimensional space occupied by an object. Illusionistic: the 3-d space depicted in a 2-d surface such as painting and drawing.

style

The identifying characteristics of the artwork of an

individual, a group of artists, a period of time or an entire society. symbol itself.

A visual image that represents something other than

technique

Specific methods or approaches when working with materials and tools for creating works of art.

texture

The visual element that refers to the way something feels or looks like it feels and can be actual or implied.

value

The visual element that refers to lightness and darkness. Also can refer to the value system employed or inferred by an artist in creating a work....