markmaking
A contemporary term but one that is really old as time. It describes the attempts by any artist, craftsperson, shaman, or any human to put their mark on something, to announce their existence in the world. In artwork, markmaking can be done using almost a
visual literacy
being educated in the language and terminology of the visual arts.
criticism
the art of evaluating or analyzing with knowledge and propriety works of art or literature; to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly
two-dimensional
Height by width; a flat surface ie: drawing paper or canvas. (2-D)
three-dimensional
Height by width by depth. If we say a work of art is three-dimensional, we mean that it is fully articulated in space-that is to say it can be viewed from any angle and exists in the viewer's space. Usually, three-dimensional works can be walked around, y
picture plane
The flat, two-dimensional surface of a work of art, the "window
pictorial depth
The aspect of composition on a two-dimensional plane (flat) in which a three-dimensional space is depicted. The illusion of depth on a 2-D surface. This " depth" ranges from shallow to deep.
composition
The organization or arrangement of the formal elements in a work of art.
medium
Any materials used to create a work of art-the paint, pastel, graphite, clay, paper, bronze, glass, etc. The word media is the plural form.
form
The literal shape, mass, appearance, and look, of an object or figure. More generally, how the materials come together to make a work of art, the ways in which these materials are utilized in terms of the formal elements (line, light, color, etc.), and th
form, content, process
What are the three components of any work of art?
content
The meaning of an image (artwork) beyond its subject matter.
process
How the work was created, the materials and media used (the paint, pastel, clay, bronze, paper, etc.). Also, the techniques and skills used to create work. Often, an artist's process is a well-kept secret!
subject matter
literally the subject of an artwork-what the work is about: (For example, portrait, man plowing the fields, the signing of the Declaration, landscape, etc. It may be a painting of a shipwreck (the subject matter), but the meaning (content) is about the di
narrative
in any kind of creative endeavor, it is the story of what is being depicted, sung, described, written about...
abstract
In art, this term means the rendering of images and objects in a stylized or simplified way, yet they remain recognizable; the formal or expressive aspects are emphasized. Abstract is a relative term. Often when we speak of abstraction in the visual of ar
verisimilitude
The quality or state of being the "truth." In the visual arts, this means that something looks life-like, or 'real.' (this can be used to talk about the degree of optical realism in a work of art).
naturalism
The quality that makes a work of art appear close to or resemble the natural world-it looks 'real,' whatever that is. In general, this term is synonymous with representational. Naturalism also exists on a continuum. (this can be used to talk about the deg
representational
When an artwork is representational, it resembles something from the natural and visual world around us, that is, the world of natural appearance. (this can be used to talk about the degree of optical realism in a work of art).
realism
An artwork that is realist also resembles the natural world, but once again, realism is a general term and exists on a continuum.
style
Basically, there are 2 ways to talk about style. Artists have their own unique manner of visual expression that is distinct from others. It is consistent within context of their artistic output. This is called style. Within history, we can also say that a
symbolism
The use of symbols to represent the invisible, intangible, or abstract (ie: God, death, birth, spirit, good/bad...)-t o represent many things. For example, a painter in the 15th century may paint a lily near the Virgin Mary in a scene. Historically, a lil
iconography
Literally, in its original Greek, the word means 'image writing.' Iconography is an area of art history that involves the study and interpretation of images and symbols. It often involves consideration of the symbol within context to the history and tradi
expressionistic
an artwork that is expressionistic, emphasizes the emotional and psychological content of the work. In general, to do this, artists often distort and personally interpret the formal tools like line and color. There is also an historical period in European
mixed media
a contemporary term. Many artists today don't stay within the confines of a single medium. Rather, they enjoy mixing their media. For instance, my art is 3-D paper sculpture that I paint and draw onto to get the surface to become interesting.
found objects
any sort of natural or manufactured object that is not made by the artist but found by them and put into their artwork. This is an interesting way to let chance have a hand in the creation of your artwork.
aesthetic
A branch of Greek philosophy that deals with visual and/or sensory values-perhaps what we call 'taste.' Aesthetics pertain to what individuals find visually pleasing. In our culture, it may be said to pertain to what we consider 'beautiful' and by extensi
formal elements
the visual tools an artist uses to create a work of art. These include but are not limited to the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design.
formal analysis
Literally, analyzing the form of the art work. This means taking inventory of all the elements and tools used by an artist, considering the composition, and understanding how all these components are implemented to create meaning.
studio art
the production of art
art history
considering art & creative production from a historical point of view; drawing conclusions about artworks that are related culturally in time & place
art criticism
objectively considering the successes and/or failures of a work of art and judging it as successful (or not!).
art appreciation
learning the language used in production & viewing of art in general; looking closely at works to understand how they are composed & if there is meaning; then making a decision about whether or not this is meaningful to you. 'Appreciating' something is an
light
is either implied (an illusion) or it is a real component in the artwork
value
In 2-D artworks, light is expressed as value which is the relative lightness or darkness in color or black and white
modeling
the manipulation of light & dark (shadow) to show dimensionality
hatching and cross hatching
A series of parallel lines & cross-parallel lines. In drawing (or printmaking, which is drawing on a hard plate), hatching & cross-hatching are ways that an artist builds up areas of shading to create form & dimensionality
Chiaroscuro
Italian for " light and shadow." A technique whereby value (areas of light and dark) are used to simulate the effects of light and shadow on a 2-D surface. Yes, this is related to modeling. Chiaroscuro is a special term used by artists to talk about the s
tint
occurs when WHITE is added to a color. ( VALUE IS HEIGHTENED)
shade
occurs when BLACK is added to a color. ( VALUE IS LOWERED)
tone
occurs when GREY is added to a color. ( VALUE IS MIDRANGE)
tenebrism
an extreme use of shading (chiaroscuro) used for the purpose to enhance, the drama, the tension, the seriousness, & the movement of a composition.
saturation
(intensity or depth of color)
triadic
palette based on the full-range of colors around the wheel
monochromatic
dominant use of one hue
analogous
use of colors NEXT to each other on the color wheel.
complementary
use of colors limited to those that are opposite each other
arbitrary color
color as interpreted by the artist for expressive purposes.
afterimage
your vision persists even when you stop looking at an object.
Pointillism or divisionism
technique whereby the artist paints dots of color next to each other and the viewer's eye must mix them
line
A mark left by a moving point, actual or implied, and varying in direction, thickness, and density.the most basic tool available to an artist, sculptor, or architect
What are the line duties?
define form, focal point, stops eye, directional, framing device
outlines
The edge of a shape or figure depicted by an actual line drawn or painted on a flat 2-D surface.
OUTLINES CREATE FLAT IMAGES.
contour line
The perceived line that marks the border of an object in space. This is to say that CONTOUR lines attempt to show mass (dimensionality). They often overlap each other.
implied line
An implied line is not a literal line, but one that is composed of multiple elements arranged to suggest a line. The viewer's eye completes an implied line. An important implied line is called an EYELINE.
Implied lines work to move the viewer's eye throug
gestalt theory
the brain tries to organize and make sense of information
figurative
means recognizable
Name the eight formal elements of art.
line, color, value/light, time/motion, space, shape/mass, texture, pattern
Name the five principles of design.
balance, emphasis or focal point, scale and proportion, repetition and rhythm, unity and variety