Module 2 Vocabulary and Terms Flashcards
gestural line
reveal an artist’s motion while drawing
contour line
define the edges and shapes of an object, therefore suggesting volume or space
geometric shapes
square, rectangle, cirlce
organic shapes
often composed of uneven closed lines and asymmetrical forms
abstract shapes
basic form is still recognizable, can be geometric or organic
nonrepresentational shapes
no reference to real objects, can be geometric or organic
chiaroscuro
a dramatic contrast between values (light and dark)
complementary colors
are opposites on the color wheel and therefore accentuate each other’s intensity when paired (red/green) (orange/blue) (yellow/purple)
arbitrary colors
color used in a nonrealistic way
naturalistic colors
color that is true to life and appears realistic
symmetrical balance
If a work can be cut in half and each side looks exactly (or nearly exactly) the same
radial balance
Radial balance (or symmetry) is achieved when all elements in a work are equidistant from a central point and repeat in a symmetrical way from side to side and top to bottom. Radial symmetry can imply circular and repeating elements.
asymmetrical balance
when one side of the image does not reflect the other side, but the combination of the elements on the right and left side counter each other
4 ways to achieve emphasis: relative size, lines of force, focal point, dark/light contrast
relative size - closeness to emphasize importance
lines of force - put emphasis on main message of painting - pointing, direction of gaze
focal point - specific area or object that is emphasized
dark/light contrast - can bring focus to a certain object(s) in the image vs the others
unity; variety
Unity -
- compositional - using the same physical elements (shape/forms) such as silouettes, umbrellas, etc
- conceptual - addressing the same theme throughout. shapes/forms can be different but represent the same idea (bird, balloon, feather)
- gestalt - refers to something (here a work of art) in which the whole seems greater than the sum of its parts. (think egyptian walls)
scale
We perceive scale in relation to our own size.
monumental scale - We perceive scale in relation to our own size.
heiriachel scale - (pharoh being larger than wife and daughter)
distorted scale - must have 2 elements to reference each other to show distort of one of the elements (rose filling up the entirety of a room)
atmospheric (aerial) perspective
modifies value, color, and texture to create the sense that some parts of an image are situated further away than others.
Filippo Brunelleschi
Because Brunelleschi, as an architect, was interested in the realistic representation of buildings, he began to work with ideas about perspective and the idea that light enters the eye. He combined this with use of the camera obscura to prove that reality could be re-created in art using a system of lines.
foreshortening
a technique that depicts a form or object in a very oblique angle to the viewer, allowing the user to show a great amount of space
linear perspective
using lines to create the illusion of depth in 2D art
- all parallel lines converge at a point known as the vanishing point (which is not always visible), located on the horizontal line.
- the converging parallel lines are referred to as orthogonals.
- may be one-point, two-point, or multi-point
- uses foreshortening to depict the apparent diminishing in size of forms as they appear to recede in space
modes of analysis
Iconographic, biographical, feminist, contextual, psychological, formal
Iconographic Analysis
Signs and symbols. Historical, cultural, and religious references. Images that represent concepts or ideas.
Biographical Analysis
Relates artist’s life and experiences to artwork. Considers gender, race, nationality, class.
Feminist Analysis
Analysis roles of women as artists, subjects, viewers.
Contextual Analysis
Based on time and place where art was made. Considers historical, religious, political, economic, and social factors.
Psychological Analysis
Considers mental state of the artists when the work was made.
Formal Analysis
Analyses elements and principles used by the artist.
