Art Speak List 01

Question 1

Orientation

Answer 1

A line’s horizontal, vertical, or diagonal position

Question 2

Direction

Answer 2

Implied movement of a line

Question 3

Continuity

Answer 3

Linear flow

Question 4

Contour lines

Answer 4

Define the edges of an object

Question 5

Gesture drawing

Answer 5

Captures essential action rather than describing every detail

Question 6

Volume summary

Answer 6

Communicates information using basic volumes

Question 7

Calligraphic lines

Answer 7

“Beautiful writing”; personal and highly expressive lines

Question 8

Organizational lines

Answer 8

Create the loose linear “skeleton” on which to build a composition

Question 9

Implied lines

Answer 9

Suggest connections without actually being drawn

Question 10

Closure

Answer 10

The inclination to connect fragmentary information

Question 11

Hatching

Answer 11

Produces a range of grays through straight parallel lines

Question 12

Cross-hatching

Answer 12

Hatching with many layers of lines at various angles

Question 13

Cross-contours

Answer 13

“Map” surface variations across shapes or objects

Question 14

Volume

Answer 14

A 3D enclosure

Question 15

Gradation & Shading

Answer 15

Used to make a 2D shape appear 3D

Question 16

Positive shape/figure

Answer 16

A shape that is distinguished from the background

Question 17

Negative shape/Ground

Answer 17

Shape/figure that surround the positive shape/figure

Question 18

Figure/ground reversal

Answer 18

Occurs when first the positive and then the negative shapes command our attention

Question 19

Rectilinear shapes

Answer 19

Composed from straight lines & angular corners

Question 20

Curvilinear shapes

Answer 20

Composed from curves and flowing edges

Question 21

Geometric shapes

Answer 21

Include crisp, precise edges and mathematically consistent curves; found in architecture and industry

Question 22

Organic shapes

Answer 22

Appear commonly in the natural world

Question 23

Collage

Answer 23

Constructed from visual fragments designed for another purpose

Question 24

Physical texture

Answer 24

Creates variations in a surface

Question 25

Visual texture

Answer 25

An illusion created by marks that simulate physical texture

Question 26

Stippling

Answer 26

Patterns of dots that create visual texture

Question 27

Invented texture

Answer 27

Uses shapes that have no direct reference to perceptual reality

Question 28

Trompe l'oeil

Answer 28

"To fool the eye"; visual texture that so closely resembles reality that deception occurs

Question 29

Value

Answer 29

The relative lightness or darkness of a surface

Question 30

Value scale

Answer 30

Shows a range of values side by side

Question 31

Value contrast

Answer 31

The amount of difference in values

Question 32

Value distribution

Answer 32

The proportion and arrangement of lights and darks in a composition

Question 33

Grisaille

Answer 33

A gray underpainting that creates the illusion of three-dimensionality

Question 34

Atmospheric perspective

Answer 34

An effect where dark values in the foreground gradually fade until they become indistinct in the background

Question 35

Chiaroscuro

Answer 35

"Light-dark"; a primary light source is used to create six or more values against a dark background

Question 36

Composition

Answer 36

The combination of multiple parts into a unified whole

Question 37

Unity

Answer 37

Similarity, oneness, togetherness, cohesion

Question 38

Variety

Answer 38

Difference

Question 39

Gestalt psychology

Answer 39

Claims that we understand information holistically before we examine it separately

Question 40

Grouping

Answer 40

We group visual units by location, orientation, shape, and color

Question 41

Containment

Answer 41

Unifying force created by the outer edge of a composition or boundary within the composition

Question 42

Repetition

Answer 42

Occurs when the same visual element or effect is used over and over

Question 43

Proximity

Answer 43

Distance between visual elements

Question 44

Fusion

Answer 44

Occurs when shapes or volumes share common edges

Question 45

Continuity

Answer 45

A fluid connection among compositional parts

Question 46

Movement

Answer 46

Creates deliberate visual pathways to direct the viewer's attention

Question 47

Closure

Answer 47

The mind's inclination to connect fragmentary information to produce a completed form

Question 48

Pattern

Answer 48

Occurs when any visual element is systematically repeated over an extended area

Question 49

Grid

Answer 49

Created through a series of intersecting lines

Question 50

Balance

Answer 50

Distribution of weight or force within a composition

Question 51

Visual weight

Answer 51

1. Inclination of shapes to float or sink | 2. Relative importance of a visual element within a design

Question 52

Symmetrical balance

Answer 52

Occurs when shapes are mirrored on either side of an axis

Question 53

Approximate symmetry

Answer 53

Created when similar imagery appears on either side of a central axis

Question 54

Radial symmetry

Answer 54

Lines & shapes are mirrored both vertically and horizontally

Question 55

Assymetrical balance

Answer 55

Creates equilibrium among visual elements that do not mirror each other on either side of an axis

Question 56

Proportion

Answer 56

Relative size of visual elements within an image or figure

Question 57

Scale

Answer 57

Size of a form when compared with out own human size

Question 58

Rhythm

Answer 58

Sense of movement created by repetition of multiple units in a deliberate pattern

Question 59

Emphasis

Answer 59

Gives prominence to part of a design

Question 60

Anomaly

Answer 60

Break from the norm

Question 61

Centricity

Answer 61

Compressive compositional force

Question 62

Eccentricity

Answer 62

Expansive compositional force

Question 63

Contrast

Answer 63

Created when two or more forces operate in opposition