Midterm 1 Flashcards
VISUAL AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS / SINGLE STORY
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Implied Lines
Invisible lines that direct our eyes in a piece of art
Contour LInes
lines that define the form of an object/painting
Organic Lines/Shapes
Irregular and imperfect (natural) lines
Inorganic (Geometric) Lines/Shapes
Straight or curving lines that are often found in geometry
Complimentary Colors
Red - Green
Yellow - Purple
Orange - Blue
Analogous Colors
Colors that are very similar to each other, especially when they are next to each other on a color wheel
Tint/Shade
TINT
color + white = lighter color
SHADE
color + black = darker color
Warm vs. Cool Colors
Warm colors—yellow, orange, red and combinations therein—breathe energy, positivity and a sense of sunshine into any room.
Cool colors—green, blue and purple—evoke relaxation and calm.
Contrast
Creating major visual differences between multiple elements
Monochromatic vs. Polychromatic
- The word “chrome” comes from the Greek word chrôma, which means “color”
Monochromatic: when all colors in a painting derive from one primary color
Polychromatic: when a painting includes several contrasting colors
Atmospheric Perspective
When artists portray objects that are meant to look farther away as paler and less-detailed
Linear Perspective
Relative size, shape, and position of objects are determined by drawn or imagined lines converging at a point on the horizon
Texture
The feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or substance
Balance
The way that visual aspects and elements are distributed within a piece
Symmetry
Mirror/Bilateral Symmetry
Radial Symmetry
Asymmetry (Balanced)
Hieratic Scale
Figures that appear larger than others in order to show their importance
Iconography
Visual symbols intended for a specific culture
Visual (Formal) Analysis vs. Contextual (Historical) Analysis
Visual (Formal) Analysis: analyzing a piece of art or literature according to physical appearance or purely on content
Contextual (Historical) Analysis: analyzing a piece of art or literature according to things like time period, background or beliefs of the artist, contemporary styles
Be able to describe a piece of art using some of the elements of art and principles of composition.
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Why might both visual and contextual analysis be important to understanding a piece of art or literature?
To get the whole picture!
What is iconography? How does understanding the iconography of a specific group or culture help us better understand their art?
Symbols used in art that would be familiar to a specific culture. Understanding iconography can greatly enhance our appreciation for their art.
(UNDERSTANDING -> APPRECIATION!)
Understand the meaning of the terms above. Why might an artist choose to use one or more of these elements? For example, why might an artist choose warm colors over cool colors? Why might an artist choose to use hieratic scale? How might the use of sharp contrast affect the feeling of a painting, etc.?
All art is intended to create certain emotions, make us think, draw our attention to a particular aspect, or teach us a lesson!
How can a single story be dangerous? How does this apply to history? How does it apply to us?
A single story dramatically limits our perspective. With history and in our lives today, it can lead to misinformed judgements based on false perceptions/beliefs.