General Flashcards
convention
rules or generally recognized principles for how an art form is made and understood; generally accepted practice, technique or device.
genre
a general category characterized by a particular style, form or content.
composition
the arrangement of line, form, mass, texture and color; also the arrangement of the technical qualities of any art form
line
Used by artists to control our vision, to create unity and emotional value. It can be actual or implied, curved or straight.
form
Closely related to line, both in definition and effect. Form is the shape of the object(s) within the composition. Form is the space described by line (has dimension).
color
The appearance of surfaces in terms of hue (the color itself) value (the range of tonalities from white to black) and intensity (the degree of purity of hue)
mass
With 3-dimensional form the physical bulk. With 2-dimensional objects, it is the illusion of weight.
texture
Apparent roughness/smoothness of the surface of a work of art
repetition
Reiteration of the basic elements within a work of art.
rhythm
the relationship, either of time or space between recurring elements within a design or composition
harmony
the logic of the repetition or combination.
consonance
a feeling of a comfortable relationship between elements
dissonance
Any harsh disagreement between elements of composition
variation
The method of altering the basic elements of composition.
balance
The placement of physically or psychologically equal items on either side of a central axis; the compositional equilibrium of opposing forces.
symmetry
The balancing of elements in design by placing physically equal objects on both sides of the central axis. Absolute symmetry is very rare, but we often in arranging space approach the idea of symmetry.
asymmetrical
The balancing of elements in design by placing dissimilar objects or forms on both sides of the central axis, but with a sense of an equality of weight. Often called “psychological balance.”
unity
The combination of all the elements in such as way as to suggest a completeness or undivided total effect.
contrast and juxtaposition
To show or bring out noticeable differences when elements are compared or placed side by side.
movement
It can be suggested or actual. In two-dimensional art, movement is suggested to give the illusion of action. In three-dimensional art, actual movement occurs in three-dimensional objects and forms moving through space to create meaning.
light
It can be suggested or actual. In two-dimensional art, light is suggested to give shapes an illusion of dimensionality. In three-dimensional art, actual light reveals three-dimensionality and creates meaning.
