Visual Arts Vocabulary Flashcards
Abstract
Artwork in which the subject matter is stated in a brief, simplified manner; little or no attempt is made to represent images realistically, and objects are often simplified or distorted.
Acrylics
Quick drying, plastic polymer pigment used with water.
Additive
The process of adding or joining parts and/or visual elements together to create a painting, collage or sculpture (as opposed to subtractive).
Analogous
Closely related colors; a color scheme that combines several hues next to each other on the color wheel.
Art criticism
An organized system for looking at the visual arts; a process of appraising what we want students to know and be able to do.
Assemblage
A three-dimensional composition in which a collection of objects is unified in a sculptural work.
Asymmetry
A balance of parts on opposite sides of a perceived midline, giving the appearance of equal visual weight.
Background
The part of the picture plane that seems to be farthest from the viewer.
Balance
The way in which the elements in visual arts are arranged to create a feeling of equilibrium in an artwork. The three types of balance are symmetry, asymmetry, and radial.
Collage
An artistic composition made of various materials (e.g., paper, cloth, or wood) glued on a surface.
Color
The visual sensation dependent on the reflection or absorption of light from a given surface. The three characteristics of colors are hue, intensity, and value.
Color relationships
Also called color schemes or harmonies. They to the relationships of colors on the color wheel. Basic color schemes include monochromatic, analogous, and complementary.
Color wheel
A circular diagram of the spectrum used to show the relationships between the colors
Complementary colors
Colors opposite one another on the color wheel. Red/green, blue/orange, yellow/violet are complementary colors.
Composition
The overall placement and organization of elements in a work of art, as well as the interrelationships between individual elements.
Content
The representations, messages, ideas, and/or feelings expressed in a work of art.
Contour line drawings
Drawing that represents the edges and ridges of a form, without tonal variation, shading, etc.
Contrast
Differences between two or more elements (e.g., value, color, texture) in a composition; juxtaposition of dissimilar elements in a work of art. Also refers the degree of difference between the lightest and darkest areas of an image.
Cool colors
Colors suggesting coolness, blues, greens, violets and their variants.
Design
The plan, conception, or organization of a work of art; the arrangement of independent parts (the elements of art) to form a coordinated whole.
Distortion
The condition of being twisted or altered from a usual or regular shape. In visual art, distortion is often used as an expressive technique.
Dominance
An emphasis of one aspect, characteristic or quality in an image in relation to all others.
Elements of art
Sensory components used to create and talks about works of art; line, color, shape/form, texture, value, space.
Emphasis
Special attention or embellishment on an element, characteristic, or object in a work of art that makes it stand out from others.
Expressive content
Content expressive of ideas and moods in a work of art.
Foreground
Part of a two-dimensional artwork that appears to be nearer the viewer or in the “front” of the image. Middle ground and background are the parts of the picture that appear to be farther and farthest away.
Focal point
The place in a work of art at which attention becomes focused because of an element emphasized in some way.
Form
(1) The particular characteristics of an artwork’s visual elements (as distinguished from its subject matter or content). (2) A three-dimensional volume or the illusion of three dimensions; related to shape (which is 2-D).
Function
Purpose and use of a work of art.
Genre
The representation of people, subjects, and scenes from everyday life.
Gesture drawing
The drawing of lines quickly and loosely to show movement in a subject.
Harmony
The principle of design that creates unity within a work of art.
Hue
The gradation or attribute of a color that defines it’s general classification as a red, blue, yellow, green, or intermediate color.
Installation art
The combining of elements into a singular artwork that is specifically located in one place; an artwork that exists only in the place in which it was/is installed, and is not able to be relocated like a painting or print.
Intensity
Also called chroma or saturation; refers to the brightness of a color (a color is full in intensity only when in its pure form and unmixed). Color intensity can be changed by adding black, white, gray, or an opposite color on the color wheel.
Line
In visual art, a delineation or fracturing of space in color or black and white. Line qualities can vary in width, length, gesture, color, direction, etc.
Linear perspective
A graphic system used to create the illusion of depth and volume on a flat surface. In images of buildings and objects, the lines defining their edges and features are slanted, making them appear to extend back into space.