Definitions and Terms Flashcards
Vanishing Point
The point at which receding parallel lines viewed in perspective appear to converge
Tooth
The physical texture of the drawing surface, described as coarse, medium, or fine-grain
Contour Line
Line that represents the contour of an object, both interior contours and outer edge
Cross-contour Line
Line that describes an object’s surface topography, emphasizing the volumetric shape of an object
Two-dimensional
Having only two dimensions; lacking depth
Value Scale
The graduated steps in tonal range from white through gray to black
Tactile
Relating to the sense of touch
Scale
The size of a form in relationship to the viewer or to other dimensions
Negative Space
The space surrounding a positive space or solid; that which is not occupied or filled with an object
Hatching
Building areas of value using adjacent parallel lines
Foreshortened
A form that is viewed in such a way that its normal proportions appear shortened compressed; also said to be in perspective
Gesture Drawing
In a figure drawing, a quick, energetic drawing that attempts to capture the essential gesture or element of a model’s pose
Eye Level
Refers to the physical eye level of the artist, which in turn determines the position of the horizon line and the angle of perception
Chiaroscuro
Depiction of light and shadow, generally associated with a dramatic contrasting arrangement of light and dark
Cast Shadow
The tonal value created when an object blocks light; a dark area cast on a surface by a body intercepting the light from its source
Picture Plane
The two-dimensional surface on which the artist works; also, the imaginary plane between the artist and the subject
Substrate
The material that provides the surface on which something is deposited or inscribed
Rendering
The use of value to depict patterns of light and shadow
Core Shadow
The core shadow is the dark band visible where light and shadow meet
Reflected Light
Light that is not from a direct source, but an indirect one, redirected from one surface to another
Viewfinder
A viewfinder is a tool that enables the artist to crop and create a composition. It is basically a square or rectangle shape made from a piece or pieces of card/thick paper at right angles. A viewfinder enables you to see things by isolating them in a square/rectangle
Composition
The arrangement of drawing elements in relationship to each other and the whole
