Art History Test 2 Flashcards
length
characteristic of a line Long Short Continuous Broken
width
characteristic of a line. thick thin tapering uneven
Direction
characteristic of a line Horizontal Vertical Diagonal Curving
Focus
Characteristic of a line Sharp Blurry Fuzzy Choppy
Feeling
Characteristic of a line Sharp Jagged Graceful Smooth
Value
The range do lightness and darkness within a picture
Tint
Adding white to colored paint to create lighter values such a light blue or pink
Shade
Adding black to paint to create dark values such as dark blue or dark red
High Key
The picture is all light values
Low Key
The picture is all dark values
Value contrast
Light values are placed next to dark values to create contrast
Value scale
Shows the gradual change in value from its lightest values to darkest values
Geometric shapes
Circles Squares Rectangles Triangles seen and used in architecture
Organic shapes
Leaves
Seashells
Flowers
seen in nature and with characteristics that are free flowing, informal, and irregular
Positive shapes
They are the solid forms in a design such as a bowl of fruit or the solid form in a sculpture
Negative shapes
The space around the positive shape or the spaces in between the sculpture
Static shapes
Shapes that appear stable and resting
Dynamic shapes
Shapes that appear moving and active
Local color
The way color typically appears
Color harmonies
When an artist uses certain combinations of colors that create different looks or feelings
Monochromatic
One color is used, but in different values and intensities
Texture
The surface quality of an object
Primary colors
Red
Yellow
Blue
Secondary colors
Orange
Violet
Green
These are created by mixing two primary colors
Intermediate colors
Red/Orange
Yellow/Green
Blue/Violet
Created by mixing a primary with a secondary
Space
The 3D of a sculpture
Positive space
The actual sculpture or building
Negative space
The space around the sculpture or building
Picture plane
The flat surface of your paper or canvas
Composition
The organization and placement of the elements
Focal point
What you want the viewer to look at first
Color
Bright colors look like they are closer to you
Neutral colors look like they are farther away
Value
Lighter values look like they are further back
Darker values look like they are closer
Foreground
Appears closest to the viewer
Background
Appears farthest from the viewer
Middle ground
Area in between the background and foreground
Rhythm
Makes you think of the rhythms you hear in music or dance
Movement
The action or path the viewer’s eye follows throughout an artwork
It gives the feeling of action
Unity
Also called harmony
The quality of oneness that is achieved through the effective use of elements and principles of art
Variety
The quality of having different forms or types
Balance
Arranging elements so that no one part of a work overpowers or seems heavier than any other part
Symmetrical balance
Both sides of an imaginary line are the same
Asymmetrical balance
Each side of an imaginary line is different, but has equal weight
Radial balance
Lines or shapes grow from a central point
Emphasis
The focus is centered through design principles or meaning
It is used to attract the viewers eye
Also called “Focal Point”
Contrast
Creates excitement and interest by having things in the artwork that are different
High contrast
Used to make something show up or stand out
Low contrast
Gives a softer look
Proportion
Describes the relative seizes and locations of objects in the artwork
Pattern
Shows consistency with colors, shapes, or lines
