Basic Terms and Concepts of Art
Line– the trace left by a moving point
Actual lines and Implied lines
Vertical lines - assertive, or denote growth & strength
Horizontal lines - calm
Diagonal lines - the most dramatic and imply action
Implied lines
Directional lines
Outline -- Lines that define a 2-dimensional shape
Contour -- lines that define the boundaries of 3-dimensional forms; it surrounds and defines the edges of a subject and gives it shape and volume
Shape--- a 2-dimensional form that occupies an area; i.e.: circles or squares
Actual & Implied shapes
Figure (positive shape)
Ground (negative shape)
Organic shapes - irregular shapes; shapes with a natural look and a flowing and curving appearance. It is also referred to as curvilinear shapes
Examples in life?
Geometric shapes—regular, mechanical shapes
Simple ones: circle, square, triangle
Complex ones: oval, rectangle, pentagon, etc.
Mass---a 3-dimensional form that occupies a volume of space; i.e.: spheres and cubes
- used to refer to the effect and degree of bulk, density, and weight of matter in space
space --- the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within things
--- can be described as 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional but is often used to refer to 3-dimensionality
negative and positive space
Value--shade of light and dark
Chiaroscuro---the technique of modeling mass in 2-dimensions through value
Picture Plane---the surface of the drawing paper or canvas
Stippling, hatching and cross-hatching
Depth
Techniques to depict space:overlapping;positioning;foreshortening;perspective
Linear Perspective and the Vanishing Point
Atmospheric Perspective
-also called aerial perspective
-achieved by using less focus, along with bluer, lighter, and duller hues for the distant spaces and objects depicted on a flat surface
-often used together with color perspective
Color – in paint, means the light reflecting and absorbing characteristic of the pigment on a painting surface
Hue ---the name of any color as found in its pure state in the spectrum or rainbow; another name for Color
Color Wheel - made up of the colors refracted by Sir Isaac Newton’s prism
Value-relative lightness or darkness; the luminance of a color
tint ( a color lighter than the hue’s normal value, e.g., pink)
shade (a color darker than the hue’s normal value)
Tints and shades differ in value from the pure hue they are made from.
gradation of values
Complementary Colors
the palette
pigments
Chroma – the intensity or purity of a color;
When a painting, drawing, or print is made in one color, including that color's tints and shades, we call it “ monochromatic,” and we say the artwork contains a “monochromatic harmony.”
color harmonies (color scheme)
monochromatic
complementary
analogous – colors next to each other
triadic – any three colors equally spaced on the color wheel
the emotional effects of color - cool & warm colors
the optical effects of color: Afterimage
Principles of Design
The organization of elements is called composition or design
Major Principles of Design----- Unity & Variety
Balance
Emphasis & Subordination
Proportion & Scale
Movement & Rhythm
Pattern
Unity--the quality of wholeness or oneness; the sense of things belonging together and making up a coherent whole; can be achieved by the use of color, line, texture, etc.
VARIETY--Differences that provide interest and contrast
Balance & Off-Balance
Symmetrical Balance—mirror image; two sizes from a central axis are exactly the same.
Relieved symmetry or Approximate Symmetry -- slight differences between axial areas of a work
Asymmetrical Balance--two sides that do not correspond to one another in size, shape, and placement yet NOT destroying that composition's overall harmony.
Out of Balance
Emphasis---The viewer’s attention will be centered more on certain parts of the composition than on others
Focal Point (Center of Interest)--A specific spot to which one’s attention is directed
Subordination---A less visually interesting area
Scale---Size in relation to a constant or “normal” size
Proportion---Refers to size relationships between parts of a whole or between two or more items perceived as a unit
Rhythm---Repeating motifs, colors, shapes, or lines in a painting
Movement--Using various parts of a painting to direct the eyes of the viewer through the work
Pattern---A repeated motif in a painting or design
Reviewing Exercise: “Circling into Space”
On a sheet of paper, draw a circle and use chiaroscuro modeling to create an “illusion of depth/3-dimensionality” (i.e., to make it appear 3-dimensional).
Artwork: photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture, architecture, ready-made, drawing, performance, installation, etc., etc. (in many different media and forms)
Artist
Audience (art dealers, art collectors, art historians, art critics, etc.)
Space (museum, gallery, street, auction house, etc.)
Material
Tool
Ideas, skills, knowledge, passion, etc.
What Can Art Do for Society and for Individuals?
A. Record history
B. Create big business & bring in money
C. As political propaganda
D. As rites of passage or for spiritual rituals
E. Tell stories
F. Express feelings
G. Other ______
