Art and Design Glossary

Question 1

DPI: Dots Per Square Inch

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

RGB: red, blue, green

Answer 2

Abbreviation used in digital files to justify colour.

Question 3

CMYK: cyan, magenta, yellow, black

Answer 3

Abbreviatio used in digital files to justify colour, files saved as CMYK are ready for print.

Question 4

Kerning

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Transparent

Answer 5

can be seen through, not opaque

Question 6

Background

Answer 6

the part of the composition which appears behind the subject matter.

Question 7

Vanishing point

Answer 7

an imaginary point on the horizon line towards which parallel lines appear to meet.

Question 8

One Point Perspective

Answer 8

a pictorial technique for representing three dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface using one vanishing point.

Question 9

Two Point Perspeactive

Answer 9

a pictorial technique for representing three dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface using two vanishing point.

Question 10

Primary colours

Answer 10

red, blue, yellow. Colors that in various combinations are capable of creating any other color hues.

Question 11

Complementary colours

Answer 11

Two contrasting hues that are opposite on the color wheel. (eg.Red and Green)

Question 12

Secondary colours

Answer 12

Green, purple orange. Colors that are created by mixing two primary colors.

Question 13

Composition

Answer 13

The combined elements in an art work

Question 14

Contours

Answer 14

the internal or external edge of an object in as art form.

Question 15

Design

Answer 15

a scheme, plan, drawing or concept used to make an artwork.

Question 16

Elements

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Focal Point

Answer 17

The area in an artwork that you are drawn to.

Question 18

Foreground

Answer 18

The part of a composition that appears closest to the viewer.

Question 19

Gouache

Answer 19

Watercolour made opaque with the addition of chalk.

Question 20

Hue

Answer 20

the property of colour that distinguishes one colour from, another such as blue and orange

Question 21

Intensity

Answer 21

the relative brilliance of a hue/colour

Question 22

horizon line

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Medium

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Modelling/ rendering

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Opaque

Answer 25

refers to something that cannot be seen through. It is not transparent

Question 26

Proportion

Answer 26

The relationship of one object to another in regard to size, height, etc within a composition.

Question 27

Saturation

Answer 27

The purity, vividness of intensity of color.

Question 28

Shading

Answer 28

creating tonal variations on the surface of an object to create visual effects such as textures or three dimensional qualities.

Question 29

Symbol

Answer 29

A form, sign image or subject that represents something.

Question 30

Asymmetry

Answer 30

Not having the same measurements. Objects are not proportional or of different sizes.

Question 31

Symmetry

Answer 31

a balanced design

Question 32

Texture

Answer 32

the tactile quality of a surface or the representation of that surface.

Question 33

Unity

Answer 33

The quality of similarity shared by elements within a composition or design.

Question 34

Value

Answer 34

The property of colour that makes it seem light or dark : shading

Question 35

Style

Answer 35

refers to the way we choose to express ourselves when there are several ways of doing so (e.g. in brushwork, line, color)

Question 36

Technique

Answer 36

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.