Art and Design Glossary Flashcards
learn glossary
DPI: Dots Per Square Inch
A measurement used to determine the size of a digital file. The larger file the number of DPI, the larger the file/image can be printed.
RGB: red, blue, green
Abbreviation used in digital files to justify colour.
CMYK: cyan, magenta, yellow, black
Abbreviatio used in digital files to justify colour, files saved as CMYK are ready for print.
Kerning
The technique of adjusting the negative space between letterforms to create more visually aethetic design in type. The ability to distance or tighten the proximity of each letter in relation to the next.
Transparent
can be seen through, not opaque
Background
the part of the composition which appears behind the subject matter.
Vanishing point
an imaginary point on the horizon line towards which parallel lines appear to meet.
One Point Perspective
a pictorial technique for representing three dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface using one vanishing point.
Two Point Perspeactive
a pictorial technique for representing three dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface using two vanishing point.
Primary colours
red, blue, yellow. Colors that in various combinations are capable of creating any other color hues.
Complementary colours
Two contrasting hues that are opposite on the color wheel. (eg.Red and Green)
Secondary colours
Green, purple orange. Colors that are created by mixing two primary colors.
Composition
The combined elements in an art work
Contours
the internal or external edge of an object in as art form.
Design
a scheme, plan, drawing or concept used to make an artwork.
Elements
the basic visual qualities such as line, colour, tone, shape and texture (art elements) as well as point, form, letterform for (design elements) that when combined create visual images.
Focal Point
The area in an artwork that you are drawn to.
Foreground
The part of a composition that appears closest to the viewer.
Gouache
Watercolour made opaque with the addition of chalk.
Hue
the property of colour that distinguishes one colour from, another such as blue and orange
Intensity
the relative brilliance of a hue/colour
horizon line
A real or implied line across a plane that draws the viewers eyes towards linear perspective, all receding lines seem to converge to this line
Medium
The process/ materials used by an artist to create and art work. eg Watercolour or charcoal. Also the binding agent used to hold pigments together in the making of paint.
Modelling/ rendering
The application of tone to create three dimensional qualities of an object on a two dimensional surface. Also the shaping of clay to create three dimensional forms.
Opaque
refers to something that cannot be seen through. It is not transparent
Proportion
The relationship of one object to another in regard to size, height, etc within a composition.
Saturation
The purity, vividness of intensity of color.
Shading
creating tonal variations on the surface of an object to create visual effects such as textures or three dimensional qualities.
Symbol
A form, sign image or subject that represents something.
Asymmetry
Not having the same measurements. Objects are not proportional or of different sizes.
Symmetry
a balanced design
Texture
the tactile quality of a surface or the representation of that surface.
Unity
The quality of similarity shared by elements within a composition or design.
Value
The property of colour that makes it seem light or dark : shading
Style
refers to the way we choose to express ourselves when there are several ways of doing so (e.g. in brushwork, line, color)
Technique
refers to a person’s manipulative skills and abilities that relate to a particular art form. It also refers to any one method of using a material or medium in an art process, such as hatching or scrumbling.
