General

Question 1

convention

Answer 1

rules or generally recognized principles for how an art form is made and understood; generally accepted practice, technique or device.

Question 2

genre

Answer 2

a general category characterized by a particular style, form or content.

Question 3

composition

Answer 3

the arrangement of line, form, mass, texture and color; also the arrangement of the technical qualities of any art form

Question 4

line

Answer 4

Used by artists to control our vision, to create unity and emotional value. It can be actual or implied, curved or straight.

Question 5

form

Answer 5

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).

Question 6

color

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

mass

Answer 7

With 3-dimensional form the physical bulk. With 2-dimensional objects, it is the illusion of weight.

Question 8

texture

Answer 8

Apparent roughness/smoothness of the surface of a work of art

Question 9

repetition

Answer 9

Reiteration of the basic elements within a work of art.

Question 10

rhythm

Answer 10

the relationship, either of time or space between recurring elements within a design or composition

Question 11

harmony

Answer 11

the logic of the repetition or combination.

Question 12

consonance

Answer 12

a feeling of a comfortable relationship between elements

Question 13

dissonance

Answer 13

Any harsh disagreement between elements of composition

Question 14

variation

Answer 14

The method of altering the basic elements of composition.

Question 15

balance

Answer 15

The placement of physically or psychologically equal items on either side of a central axis; the compositional equilibrium of opposing forces.

Question 16

symmetry

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

asymmetrical

Answer 17

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.”

Question 18

unity

Answer 18

The combination of all the elements in such as way as to suggest a completeness or undivided total effect.

Question 19

contrast and juxtaposition

Answer 19

To show or bring out noticeable differences when elements are compared or placed side by side.

Question 20

movement

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

light

Answer 21

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.