Drawing Vocab Terms Flashcards
Abstract/Abstraction
Referring to art that simplifies, selectively emphasizes,
reorganizes, or distorts qualities of a real-life image rather than art that tries to
represent details accurately.
Anomaly
A disturbance or difference occurring in a predictable pattern or
composition
Atmospheric Perspective (aerial perspective)
An illusionary devise used to
create space on a flat surface, based upon the observations that nearer objects
tend to have more contrast in value, more intense and warmer color, more sense
of volume, and more visible detail and are generally more sharply defined than
objects seen in the distance.
Axis
An implied line passing centrally through a shape or form
Balance
A sense of visual equilibrium achieved by manipulation of the various
visual elements and forces within a composition to achieve a feeling of unity and
wholeness.
Asymmetrical Balance (Informal Balance)
Distribution of dissimilar visual weights in such a way that those on either side seem to offset each other and create stability
Symmetrical Balance (Formal Balance)
Distribution of equal visual weight around a central point or axis creating stability
Cliché
Referring to a visual image which has lost impact and seems trite through extensive overuse
Composition (Design)
The organization of visual elements, subject matter and
concept into a unified whole that is more important than its parts
Content
The message, narrative, meaning or subject of a work
Economy
deletion of nonessential details to reveal the essence of the form
Extension
The amount of area a color occupies in a composition. It includes
the size of the area the color occupies and the number of areas the color occurs
Figure (Positive)
That shape in a design which appears as the object, or more positive
Ground (Negative)
That shape surrounding the figure, which appears as
background or field upon which the figure sits
Figure/Ground Reversal
The ambiguous relationship between a figure and
ground when both can be perceived as figure and ground depending on an individual’s choice of organization
Flat Space (two-dimensional space)
The emphasis on the arrangement of
visual elements on the picture plane with no attempt to create the illusion of depth
Focal Point
That which is given enough emphasis to become the most noticeable element in a design
Gestalt
Around 1912, the Gestalt psychologists developed the theory that patterns or groupings are the primary elements of perception. They emphasized that the whole cannot be studied by analyzing the parts. One must a have a concept of how the whole functions in order to determine what relationship one part has to another and to the whole
Gestalt Principles
Principles which describe our natural tendency to grasp
something as a whole rather than seeing it as a series of separate elements. These contribute to our sense of unity in a composition
Grouping
The joining together and orderly (or logical) relationship of parts, which lead to visual recognition and comprehension
Continuity
States that perception tends to flow in the simplest path
resulting in our tendency to perceive separate elements closely aligned as one continuous grouping. When two or more elements are “lined up” with each other, they form an implied line.
Closure
Visual elements in close proximity, though incomplete or separated by gaps, will visually join to become a form or shape
Proximity
Grouping elements that are placed closed together
Similarity
Grouping of similar or the same elements-same size, value, shapes.
Harmony
Agreement or consonance between visual elements or concepts within a visual expression. A composition based on harmony usually relies less on variety and contrast and more on rhythm and repetition.
Hierarchy
A body of elements arranged according to rank, authority, or capability. The presentation of certain elements as more important that others in a design for the purpose of creating a feeling of stability, sequence, and movement.
Icon
An image, representation. A graphic symbol of almost universal nature
Implied Line
Lines which are suggested but do not physically exist, such as an axis, eyeline, or continuation. For example, a dotted line.
Implied Shape
A shape suggested or created by the perceptual connection of dots, lines, areas or edges, creating the visual appearance of a shape that does not physically exist. (see Closure)
Interpenetration
The exchange of visual elements between major subdivisions of a design.
Interval
The distance or amount of time between visual elements.
Juxtaposition
The placing of two or more objects, elements, or concepts side by side for comparison or contrast
Line
A mark that is significantly longer than it is wide
Linear Structure
Actual and implied lines, which can act as a basis for a design.
Mass
An area formed by the grouping of elements through close proximity.
Middle Gray
The value which is visually halfway between black and white.
Non-Representational
Refers to a visual expression which makes no attempt
to produce illusions of external reality.
Overlap
A spatial device producing the illusion of depth by placing an element partially in front of another.
Pattern
The resulting design created by repeating an element over and over. Pattern appeals to your visual sense rather than sense of touch.
Picture Plane
The frontal plane or actual surface upon which we work.
Principles of Design (Organization)
The components that artists use the arrange the Elements of Design to create a well-unified and visually varied composition.
Proportion
A comparative relationship of parts in terms of size.
Repetition
An element in a design occurring more than once
Representational
Refers to a visual expression which attempts to produce illusions of external reality.
Rhythm
The visual equivalent of notes and pauses in music, created by repetition, variety, and interval.
Scale
A spatial cue giving the illusion of depth by adjusting the relative sizes of objects or elements, the overall size of a visual expression.
Shape (plane)
A surface area defined by boundaries. In 3D this surface area can also project into space.
Closed Shape
A relatively compact shape whose edges contain no projections or voids.
Open shape
A shape broken by projections and/or voids
Organic Shape (biomorphic and curvilinear)
Shapes defined by free flowing curves and a lack of rigid geometry.
Rectilinear Shape
A shape defined by straight lines.
Geometric Shape
Crisp precise edges and mathematically consistent curves.
Space
The distance, interval, or area that is between, around or within the components of a visual expression.
Static
Appearing inert
Stable
Not likely to fall. Firm. Steady. Able or likely to continue or last.
Tactile
Relating to the sense of touch
Tension
Illusionistic or actual force of stretching; more generally, the sense of parts or visual elements threatening change, striving to meet or repeal each other or to alter their shape of location; creates an uneasy, disturbing feeling.
Texture
Actual or simulated surface quality alluding to the sense of touch
Actual Texture
The tangible quality of surface such as its smoothness,
roughness or slickness.
Simulated Texture
The illusion or sensation of a certain texture, however, if touched, it would feel much different.
Unity
The quality whereby all of the components of a visual expression work together to form a whole.
Value
the relative lightness or darkness of a color or a gray.
Local Value
The inherent tonality of an object’s surface, regardless of incidental lighting effects or surface texture
Value Structure
The pattern, construction or configuration based upon the arrangement of values in a design.
Variety
The use of diversity to create visual richness, subtlety, and complexity.
Visual Weight
The apparent lightness or in a portion of a work.
Volume (form)
a containment of space enclosed by points, lines, or planes, either illusionist, as in two-dimensional art, or actual, as in three-dimensional
