Module 01 Objectives Flashcards
Analyze and demonstrate the use of line and shape in two-dimensional art
Define the different types and functions of lines, including contour, implied, directional, and communicative
Contour Lines: Define the edges of a form, creating boundaries between different shapes or areas. They provide structure and outline but may not always show detail.
Implied Lines: Created without being physically drawn, formed by edges, color shifts, or suggested through visual cues. They guide the viewer’s eye across the composition.
Directional Lines: These lead the viewer’s gaze in a specific direction or around the artwork. Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines can imply stability, calmness, or movement.
Communicative Lines: These convey mood or emotions—sharp, jagged lines suggest tension or chaos, while soft, flowing lines suggest calmness or movement.
Differentiate between geometric and organic shapes
Geometric Shapes: Regular, precise, and mathematically defined shapes like squares, triangles, and circles. They often appear man-made and rigid.
Organic Shapes: Irregular, free-form shapes often found in nature, like leaves, clouds, or rocks, providing a more fluid, natural quality to art.
Explain how artists create contrast using positive and negative shapes plus figure-ground reversal
Positive Shapes are the main focus or subject of the art, while Negative Shapes are the spaces around or between objects.
Figure-Ground Reversal occurs when the positive and negative spaces are equally important, allowing the background to become the foreground and vice versa, creating visual ambiguity or tension.
Recognize form, volume, mass, and texture in three-dimensional works of art
Form: Refers to three-dimensional shapes or objects in space, having height, width, and depth.
Volume: The amount of space occupied by a form. It can be closed (solid forms) or open (space within a form).
Mass: The physical weight or perceived heaviness of an object. Some forms may appear to have mass without being physically heavy.
Texture: The surface quality of a work of art—either actual texture (tactile) or implied texture (visual simulation of surface feel).
Understand the visual effects achieved by artists utilizing form, volume, mass, and texture
Differentiate between two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional forms
Two-Dimensional Shapes are flat, limited to height and width (ie. a circle on paper).
Three-Dimensional Forms have depth in addition to height and width (ie. a sphere or sculpture).
Distinguish between relief and in-the-round for three-dimensional forms
Relief sculptures are attached to a background surface, only partially projecting from the base. There’s high relief (forms project significantly) and low relief (forms project minimally).
In-the-Round sculptures are freestanding and can be viewed from all sides, existing fully in three-dimensional space.
Explain how value and space give the impression of three dimensions in two-dimensional works of art
Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. Shading with varying values creates the impression of light and shadow, giving two-dimensional forms the appearance of depth.
Space in two-dimensional art refers to the illusion of depth. Artists use techniques like overlapping, scale changes, and placement to suggest space.
Explain how to use mathematical systems of perspective to create the illusion of space on a two-dimensional surface
Linear Perspective uses mathematical principles to create the illusion of depth, with parallel lines converging at a vanishing point on the horizon (one-point, two-point perspective).
Atmospheric Perspective (or aerial perspective) creates the illusion of depth by altering color and clarity—objects in the distance appear lighter and less detailed, mimicking the effect of the atmosphere on distant views.
Recall the primary and secondary colors
Primary Colors: Red, yellow, and blue—these cannot be mixed from other colors.
Secondary Colors: Created by mixing two primary colors (ie. red + yellow = orange).
Identify the complementary and analogous colors on the color wheel
Complementary Colors: Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green. They create strong contrast when placed side by side.
Analogous Colors: Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green. These create harmonious and visually pleasing combinations.
Explain the four basic properties of color
Hue: The name of a color (e.g., red, blue).
Value: The lightness or darkness of a color.
Saturation: The intensity or purity of a color.
Temperature: Colors can be warm (reds, oranges) or cool (blues, greens),
affecting the mood of the artwork.
Explain how the elements of motion and time are depicted in works of art
Distinguish between implied motion, the illusion of motion, and actual motion
Implied Motion is when an artwork suggests movement without it actually occurring. Artists use techniques such as diagonal lines, blurred edges, or dynamic poses to give the illusion that an object or figure is in motion. This is common in static artworks, like paintings or sculptures, where the viewer senses movement through visual cues.
Illusion of Motion is created when an artwork tricks the eye into seeing movement through repeated patterns or sequences. Artists can use techniques like optical art (Op Art), where geometric shapes and lines create vibrating patterns that seem to move.
Actual Motion refers to artwork that physically moves. Kinetic sculptures, mobiles, or installations that incorporate movement through motors or natural forces (like wind) are examples of this. Alexander Calder’s mobiles are famous for actual motion in art.
