Art Vocabulary

Ms. Marianna Jimenez

The Elements of Art: Basic visual symbols in the language of art.

1. Line: An element of art that is the path of a moving point through
space. Although lines can vary in appearance, they are considered
one-dimensional and are measured by length. 2. Used by artists to
control the viewers eye movement. There are five kinds of lines:
vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved and zigzag. 3. A thin continuous
mark, as that made by a pen, pencil or brush applied to a surface. It
can have a personality like a diagonal, zigzag or wavy. It can also be
implied like a row of tall trees that suggests a line that leads our eyes
into the distance.
2. Shape: 1. A two dimensional area that is defined in some way. While
a form has depth, a shape has only height and width. The result of a
line that travels back to its beginning, an enclosed space. Shapes are
either geometric or free form. 2. A shape becomes a form when it is
shaded correctly, i.e. a circle becoming a ball.
3. Form: 1) A three-dimensional volume or the illusion of three
dimensions; related to shape (which is 2-D). There are also two types
of forms: geometric (sphere, cylinder, cube, cone, pyramid, etc.) and
free form.
4. Value: The element of art that describes the darkness or lightness of
an object. Value depends on how much light a surface reflects. Value
is also one of the three properties of color. 2. The lightness or darkness
of grays and colors; the range of light and dark; the amount of white
or black.

5. Color: An element of art that is derived from reflected light. The

sensation of color is aroused in the brain by response of the eyes to
different wavelengths of light. Color has three properties: hue, value,
and intensity.
6. Space: The element of art that refers to the emptiness or area between,
around above, below, or within objects. Shapes and forms are defined
by space around and within them. Space has three different meanings
in art Positive, Negative and the illusion of depth. Positive Space in
a work of art is the actual object itself while the area surrounding the
object or objects is the Negative Space. The sense of depth in a two
dimensional artwork is achieved by the rules of perspective, non
linear methods such as overlapping, size variation, placement, detail,
value, and depending on how the artist portrays that illusion the space
can be deep or shallow.
7. Texture: The element of art that refers to how things feel, or look as if
they might feel if touched. Texture is perceived by touch and sight.
Objects can have rough or smooth textures and matte or shiny
surfaces. In artwork, the quality of a surface or the representation of a
surface such as smooth, rough, jagged, etc. The Three Categories of
Texture: 1. Tactile: real, literal that is the result of actually touching
the surface of a material or object. The 3D characteristics of a
material, such as wood

grass, etc. 2. Visual: remembered or implied

such as when we see a photo or drawing. 3. Conceptual: refers to a

complex or vague pattern that we consider from a distance or
abstractly. Improvised texture dots lines, etc., to characterize an
area.

The Principles of Art: The rules that govern how artists organize the
elements of art.
1. Balance: Principle of art concerned with equalizing visual forces, or
elements, in a work of art. If a work of art has visual balance, the
viewer feels that the elements have been arranged in a satisfying way.
Visual imbalance makes the viewer feel that the elements need to be
rearranged. The three types of visual balance are:
1. Formal: way of organizing parts of a design so that equal, or
very similar, elements are placed on opposite sides of a central
axis. Formal Balance suggests stability. Symmetry is a type of
formal balance. Opposite of informal balance.
2. Informal: Way of organizing parts of a design involving a
balance of unlike objects. Asymmetry is another term for
informal balance. Opposite of formal balance.
3. Radial: Type of balance in which forces or elements of a design
come out (radiate) from a central point.
2. Rhythm: The principle of art that indicates movement by the
repetition of elements. Visual rhythm is perceived through the eyes
and is created by repeating positive spaces separated by negative
spaces. There are five types of rhythm:
1. Random rhythm: Visual rhythm in which a motif is repeated in
no apparent order, with no regular spaces.
2. Regular rhythm: Visual rhythm achieved through repeating
identical motifs using the same intervals of space between
them.

3. Alternating rhythm: Visual rhythm set up by repeating motifs

but changing position or content of motifs or spaces between
them.
4. Flowing rhythm: Visual rhythm created by repeating wavy
lines.
5. Progressive rhythm: Visual rhythm that changes a motif each
time it is repeated.
3. Contrast: Technique for creating a focal point by using difference in
elements. Used by artists to add variety, emphasize a mood or change
a pace. Contrast can be seen in values, colors, lines, etc. 2. The use of
opposing elements such as colors, forms or lines in proximity to
produce an intensified effect.
4. Unity: The quality of wholeness or oneness that is achieved through
the elements and principles of art. Unity is created by simplicity,
repetition, and proximity.
5. Variety: Principle of art concerned with difference or contrast. The
quality of being diverse or different. This can be done in many ways,
one might be where the artist uses a lot of different types of lines in a
drawing.
6. Emphasis: Principle of art that makes one part of a work dominant
over the other part. The element noticed first is called dominant; the
elements noticed later are called subordinate.