Art Terms Glossary
A
Abstract
Art that is either completely non representational, or which converts forms observed into reality into patterns.
Aerial perspective
Aerial perspective or atmospheric perspective refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance. As the distance between an object and a viewer increases, the contrast between the object and its background decreases, and the contrast of any markings or details within the object also decreases. The colours of the object also become less saturated and shift towards the background color, which is usually blue, but under some conditions may be some other color (for example, at sunrise or sunset distant colors may shift towards red).
Aesthetic
Giving or designed to give pleasure through beauty, or the appreciation of beauty; of pleasing appearance.
Analogous Colours
Analogous color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs. Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are harmonious and pleasing to the eye. Make sure you have enough contrast when choosing an analogous color scheme.
Choose one color to dominate, a second to support. The third color is used (along with black, white or gray) as an accent.
Choose one color to dominate, a second to support. The third color is used (along with black, white or gray) as an accent.
Art Elements and Principles
Art Movement
An art movement is a tendency or style in art with a specific common philosophy or goal, followed by a group of artists during a restricted period of time (usually a few months, years or decades). For example, Abstract Expressionism, Impressionism, Surrealism, Pop art or Romanticism.
B
Balance
Balance in art refers to the sense of distribution of perceived visual weights that offset one another. We feel more comfortable and therefore find it more pleasing when the parts of an artwork seem to balance each other.
Blending
To merge colours applied to a surface, whether with a brush or pastel, coloured pencil or other medium This is sometimes called feather.
C
Collage
An image or design created by adhering basically plat elements, newspaper, photographs, cloth, string, illustration etc.
Colour Theory
In the visual arts, colour theory or colour theory is a body of practical guidance to colour mixing and the visual effects of a specific colour combination.
Complementary colours
Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are considered to be complementary colors (example: red and green). The high contrast of complementary colors creates a vibrant look especially when used at full saturation. This color scheme must be managed well so it is not jarring.
Complementary colors are tricky to use in large doses, but work well when you want something to stand out.
Complementary colors are tricky to use in large doses, but work well when you want something to stand out.
Composition
The act of putting many parts together to create a whole. When you compose an artwork you are considering how everything fits together (art elements and principles) to create meaning or a pleasing appearance.
Concept
Conceptual Art
Art in which the idea or concept presented by the artist is considered more important than the finished product, if any such exists.
Contemporary Art
Contemporary art is the art of today, produced by artists who are living in the twenty-first century. Contemporary art provides an opportunity to reflect on contemporary society and the issues relevant to ourselves, and the world around us
Contrast
Contrast is a principle of art. When defining it, art experts refer to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so as to create visual interest, excitement and drama.
Andreas Kuehn/ Stone/ Getty Images
Creativity
The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc. Originality, progressiveness,or imagination.
This is achieved by experimenting, making mistakes, learning from them, trying different ways to do the same thing and attempting things more than once. Most importantly, creativity is something that can be learnt and is not fixed. You are not born with a certain amount of creativity, it is something you practice.
This is achieved by experimenting, making mistakes, learning from them, trying different ways to do the same thing and attempting things more than once. Most importantly, creativity is something that can be learnt and is not fixed. You are not born with a certain amount of creativity, it is something you practice.
Culture
- the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
"20th century popular culture"
synonyms: the arts, the humanities.
- the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.
"Afro-Caribbean culture"
Broadly, culture is a set of active, productive, and creative material and immaterial practices in the regulation of social conduct and social behaviour that emphasise personal self-management (i.e., the modification of habits, tastes and styles), spiritual beliefs, political affiliation, and trans/national identity.
D
E
Exhibition
A public display of a collection of art work.
F
Focal Point
The portion of an artwork's composition on which interest or attention centres.
Folio
A book or journal which included predatory sketches, technical exercises and media experiments.
Foreshortening
Seeing an object from an angle is called foreshortening.
Specifically, we define this as, "the compressed appearance of something not perpendicular to us."
Fore means "the front part," indicating that part of the object closest to us. With that in mind, this compressed appearance is achieved by "shortening" those lines which are going from this front part into the distance.
Specifically, we define this as, "the compressed appearance of something not perpendicular to us."
Fore means "the front part," indicating that part of the object closest to us. With that in mind, this compressed appearance is achieved by "shortening" those lines which are going from this front part into the distance.
You can see in this example the mans fist is much bigger than the rest of his body. This is because it is in the 'fore,' or front. The rest of his body gets smaller as he recedes into the background or vanishing point. This means that his feet become the smallest part of his body, when in reality we know this isn't true. When done correctly and in proportion, this method creates the illusion of depth.
G
Geometric
Geometric is something associated with geometry, or the use of straight lines and shapes. An example of geometric is an artpiece made from rectangles, squares and circles. Geometry was highly used by the Cubist artists such as Picasso.
Gesture Drawing
Usually refers to a drawing which is created in a 'loose' manner. The lines are laid down quickly and create the general impression of the figure.
H
Horizon Line
The horizon line in perspective drawing is a horizontal line across the picture. It is always at eye level - its placement determines where we seem to be looking from - a high place, or from close to the ground. The actual horizon might not be visible, but you need to draw a 'virtual' horizon to construct a picture in perspective.
I
Installation Art
Installation art is an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that often are site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Site-specific meaning that the artwork is designed to suit a specific space. This could be within a building, in a park, hanging from a pole etc. These artworks often interact with the space they occupy.
With out this puddle, the meaning of this artwork would lessen. This artwork comments on the politics behind climate change. That while people are talking about it, the effects of climate change are already happening.
|
In this photo you can see the artwork wraps around a pole in the gallery and then merges into the walls. It could not be moved to a different space because it is dependant on the size of the room and colour of the walls.
|
J
K
L
Line
A line is an identifiable path created by a point moving in space. It is one-dimensional and can vary in width, direction, and length. Lines often define the edges of a form. Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin, scribbly or flowing etc.
M
Medium
A medium refers to the materials that are used to create a work of art. The plural of medium is media. Some examples of media are oil, acrylic or watercolour paints, graphite, metal, clay, fabric etc.
Monochrome
'Mono' means one and 'chrome' means colour. In relation to art, a monochrome artwork is one that includes only one colour. Often these artworks include different values and hues of the same colour.
N
O
Oil Paint
Oil paint is a form of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil (usually linseed oil) that forms a tough, coloured film on exposure to air.
The advantage of the slow-drying quality of oil paint is that an artist can develop a painting gradually, making changes or corrections if necessary. Oil paints blend well with each other, making subtle variations of colour possible as well as more easily creating details of light and shadow. They can also be diluted with turpentine or other thinning agents. A heavily diluted layer dries relatively quickly, being tack-free in a few days. Thicker layers, containing more oil, take longer. Oil paint continues to dry, getting harder with age over many decades. Pigments and extenders will also affect the rate of drying, so different colours may dry at different speeds.
The advantage of the slow-drying quality of oil paint is that an artist can develop a painting gradually, making changes or corrections if necessary. Oil paints blend well with each other, making subtle variations of colour possible as well as more easily creating details of light and shadow. They can also be diluted with turpentine or other thinning agents. A heavily diluted layer dries relatively quickly, being tack-free in a few days. Thicker layers, containing more oil, take longer. Oil paint continues to dry, getting harder with age over many decades. Pigments and extenders will also affect the rate of drying, so different colours may dry at different speeds.
Oriental
Of, from, or characteristic of Asia, especially East Asia.
For example, in traditional Japanese art, they often used restrained colour palettes. Certain colours in an artwork may give an 'oriental aesthetic.'
It is not a replacement term for the word 'Asian' and should not be used to describe people.
For example, in traditional Japanese art, they often used restrained colour palettes. Certain colours in an artwork may give an 'oriental aesthetic.'
It is not a replacement term for the word 'Asian' and should not be used to describe people.
P
Palette
A slab of wood, metal, plastic, paper or glass which an artist can hold while painting and uses to mix paint.
Performance Art
Performance art is art for which the artist uses their own body as the medium and performs an action or series of actions which become the artwork.
Perspective
Perspective in drawing or painting, is a way of portraying three dimensions on a flat, two-dimensional surface by suggesting depth or distance.
There are multiple ways of drawing perspective:
In one point perspective, only one vanishing point is needed because the sides of all objects are moving away from us in the same one direction.
Two point perspective is just like one point. However by using 2 points, it allows you to create a more realistic sense of space and depth within an artwork. A drawing has two-point perspective when it contains two vanishing points on the horizon line. In an illustration, these vanishing points can be placed arbitrarily along the horizon. Two-point perspective can be used to draw the same objects as one-point perspective, rotated: looking at the corner of a house, or at two forked roads shrinking into the distance, for example. One point represents one set of parallel lines, the other point represents the other. Seen from the corner, one wall of a house would recede towards one vanishing point while the other wall recedes towards the opposite vanishing point.
Three point perspective
Three-point perspective is often used for buildings seen from above (or below). In addition to the two vanishing points from before, one for each wall, there is now one for how the vertical lines of the walls recede. For an object seen from above, this third vanishing point is below the ground. For an object seen from below, as when the viewer looks up at a tall building, the third vanishing point is high in space.
There are multiple ways of drawing perspective:
In one point perspective, only one vanishing point is needed because the sides of all objects are moving away from us in the same one direction.
Two point perspective is just like one point. However by using 2 points, it allows you to create a more realistic sense of space and depth within an artwork. A drawing has two-point perspective when it contains two vanishing points on the horizon line. In an illustration, these vanishing points can be placed arbitrarily along the horizon. Two-point perspective can be used to draw the same objects as one-point perspective, rotated: looking at the corner of a house, or at two forked roads shrinking into the distance, for example. One point represents one set of parallel lines, the other point represents the other. Seen from the corner, one wall of a house would recede towards one vanishing point while the other wall recedes towards the opposite vanishing point.
Three point perspective
Three-point perspective is often used for buildings seen from above (or below). In addition to the two vanishing points from before, one for each wall, there is now one for how the vertical lines of the walls recede. For an object seen from above, this third vanishing point is below the ground. For an object seen from below, as when the viewer looks up at a tall building, the third vanishing point is high in space.
Photography
Photography is the act of taking photographs. This can be done through technology such as a camera or phone. There are many different types of photography from daguerreotype to pin hole cameras to digital. There is a debate whether photography can be considered art or if it is simply an act of documentation. However, with the wide range of experimentation open to photographers this debate is not as relevant as it once was. What do you think the answer might be?
Planes of the face.
The planes of the face help you in many ways. It helps you by creaking down the face into basic shapes.
Every face is unique. By breaking it down you can see individual characteristics to help you achieve more 'likeness' of the person you are painting/drawing.
Angle - it can help you figure out the proportions of the face when it is on different angles. By placing the face on an angle you can create a more natural or relaxed sense to the artwork.
Tone - you can see where the different values fall.
Every face is unique. By breaking it down you can see individual characteristics to help you achieve more 'likeness' of the person you are painting/drawing.
Angle - it can help you figure out the proportions of the face when it is on different angles. By placing the face on an angle you can create a more natural or relaxed sense to the artwork.
Tone - you can see where the different values fall.
Plein Air
The French term plein air means out of doors and refers to the practice of painting entire finished pictures out of doors.
Primary Colours
A group of colours from which all other colours can be obtained by mixing.
Printmaking
The art or technique of making prints, especially as practiced in engraving, etching, drypoint, woodcut or serigraphy. The image below shows a piece of wood being carved. This creates a printing block. The tiger image displays the printing blocks used to create the tiger image underneath, which is the print itself.
Proportion
Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole.
R
Relief
A relief is a wall-mounted sculpture in which the three-dimensional elements are raised from a flat base.
Sergio de Camargo, Large Split Relief No.34/4/74, Relief of limewood and paint on plywood support, 1964-5, 215 x 92 x 27 cm
Repetition
This term refers to the way of combining elements of art so that the same elements are used over and over again. Repetition also can contribute to movement and rhythm in a work of art.
Rhythm
A visual tempo or beat. A principle of design that refers to regular repetition of elements to produce the look and feel of movement.
S
Screen printing
A variety of stencil printing, using a screen made from fabric (silk or synthetic) stretched tightly over a frame
Sculpture
Three-dimensional art made by one of four basic processes: carving, modelling, casting, constructing.
Secondary Colours
A color produced by mixing two additive primary colors in equal proportions.
Sgraffito
A form of decoration made by scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of a contrasting colour, this can be done with most mediums, including paint, plaster or stucco on walls, or in slip on ceramics before firing.
Stencil
The technique of transferring a design to a surface by applying paint or other colouring through a mask or stencil, cut to the required shape.
Subject Matter
That which is represented in an artwork.
Symbols
A form, image or symbol representing a meaning other than the one which is usually associated.
T
Tertiary Colours
Tertiary colors are the resulting color formed when an equal amount of a primary and a secondary color are mixed. The primary and secondary color must be beside each other on the color wheel. For example, a mixture of 50-percent red and 50-percent magenta would result in the tertiary color of orange
Texture
Texture, another element of art, is used to describe either the way a three-dimensional work actually feels when touched, or the visual "feel" of a two-dimensional work.
Tint
Tints, shades and tones help to create more realistic paintings and artworks as they provide a wider variety of colour. With the colour red (shown below) you can achieve a whole range of reds just by adding white or black to the red paint.
This is the same as Value.
This is the same as Value.
Tone
This refers to the lightness or darkness of something. This could be a shade or how dark or light a colour appears. Tones are created by the way light falls on a 3D object. The parts of the object on which the light is strongest are called highlights and the darker areas are called shadows.
Below is an example of how light would reflect off a sphere. This is all dependant on the light source. In this case the light is coming down from the top right of the object. The shadows and values would change if the light was pointing in a different direction. For example, if the light was underneath the object, the values would be reversed so that the highlight would be at the bottom. The middle values (mid tones) are in the middle and the shadow is at the top.
Advanced tip: A common mistake is to create the bottom of the sphere as the darkest colour. However for a more realistic effect this should be a mid tone as some light is reflected off of the surface of the table (base), back onto the sphere.
Below is an example of how light would reflect off a sphere. This is all dependant on the light source. In this case the light is coming down from the top right of the object. The shadows and values would change if the light was pointing in a different direction. For example, if the light was underneath the object, the values would be reversed so that the highlight would be at the bottom. The middle values (mid tones) are in the middle and the shadow is at the top.
Advanced tip: A common mistake is to create the bottom of the sphere as the darkest colour. However for a more realistic effect this should be a mid tone as some light is reflected off of the surface of the table (base), back onto the sphere.
U
Underpainting
The layer or layers of colour on painting surface applied before the overpainting or final coat.
V
Value
Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a colour. As you can see in the first example below, the brightest yellow has the lightest colour value. While the blue-purple has the darkest value.
It is good to use a range of values when creating an artwork. (Remember there are no rules, but this will give a more realistic or dramatic effect.)
If you have create an artwork and you think it looks 'flat' or there is 'something missing.' Try taking a photo of it and using photoshop to change it to black and white. You will be able to see the values more clearly and can then adjust some areas so there are brighter highlights and darker shadows for a more dramatic effect. (If this is desired of course.)
It is good to use a range of values when creating an artwork. (Remember there are no rules, but this will give a more realistic or dramatic effect.)
If you have create an artwork and you think it looks 'flat' or there is 'something missing.' Try taking a photo of it and using photoshop to change it to black and white. You will be able to see the values more clearly and can then adjust some areas so there are brighter highlights and darker shadows for a more dramatic effect. (If this is desired of course.)