MMA 122 MIDTERM

Scale

Measurement method (e.g., 1⁄4” equals a foot,1m1000mm).

Proportion

Relative size compared to other elements or mental norms/standards.

Scale of Art

• Human Scale Reference

• Internal Proportions and References

• Contrast of Scale

• Manipulating Scale

Human Scale Reference

• Artistic scale in relation to other art, surroundings, or human size.

• Unusual scale attracts attention.

• Importance of sheer size.

Internal Proportions and References

• Scale relative to the overall area of the format.

• Proportion alters visual effects.

• Scale within a work of art provides context and meaning.

Contrast of Scale

• Use of unexpected or exaggerated scale to attract attention.

• Manipulating scale for different visual effects.

Manipulating Scale

• Hieratic Scale and Fantasy

• Surrealism

Surrealism

Art form based on paradox and irrationality, using scale to present impossible situations.

Hieratic Scale and Fantasy

Deliberate changing of natural scale, like in religious paintings for emphasis.

Proportion

• The Human Standard

• The Golden-Ratio Model

• Geometry and Notions of the Ideal

• The Golden Ratio (Fibonacci Sequence)

• The Rule of Thirds

The Human Standard

• Standards of proportion based on ideals (e.g., Leonardo's drawing based on Vitruvius).

• Canons of proportion set standards of perfection.

• Example "ten heads tall" in fashion illustration.

The Golden-Ratio Model

• Distortions in proportion provoke reactions.

• Large head to body ratio suggests childlike proportions.

• Such artworks cause us to reconsider our perceptions.

Geometry and Notions of the Ideal

• Proportion linked to ratio, with ancient Greeks seeking ideal proportions.

• Perfect body deemed seven heads tall; ideal proportions extended to architectural design.

• Influence of the golden rectangle in art and design.

The Golden Ratio (Fibonacci Sequence)

Series 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, ...

The Rule of Thirds

• Involves mentally dividing the image into thirds using horizontal and vertical lines.

• Important elements positioned along these lines or at their intersections.

• Off-centre composition is more pleasing and natural, encouraging creative use of negative space.

Balance

• Innate sense of balance observed in children.

• Lack of balance disturbs us, even in non-physical

• contexts like design or painting.

Pictorial Balance

• Equal weight distribution expected on either side of a center vertical axis for equilibrium.

• Imbalance leads to vague uneasiness or dissatisfaction.

Horizontal and Vertical Placement

Aim for equal distribution of visual weight in composition.

Imbalance

Purposeful imbalance can create tension or disquieting responses in viewers.

Symmetrical Balance

• Shapes repeated in same positions on either side of a vertical axis.

• Exploited in public buildings to suggest dignity and power.

Symmetry for Emphasis

Ordered or symmetrical landscape evokes formal gardens or human intervention.

Asymmetrical Balance

• Achieved with dissimilar objects having equal visual weight.

• Analogy of feathers and lead illustrates essence of asymmetrical balance.

Balance by Value and Color

Contrast of light and dark contributes to visual balance.

Balance by Value and Color

Dissimilar objects equally interesting to the eye contribute to balance.

Balance by Texture and Pattern

• can create visual interest and balance within a design. For instance, a rough texture can balance out a smooth one, or a highly detailed texture can offset a plain surface.

• Contrast in - can be used to distribute visual weight evenly across the composition, ensuring that no single element dominates the viewer's attention.

Balance by Texture and Pattern

• repetitive motifs or designs that can be used to establish rhythm and balance within a composition.

• can be used to establish a cohesive visual flow, guiding the viewer's eye from one area of the composition to another and maintaining balance throughout.

Balance by Position and Eye Direction

• Large item closer to center balanced by smaller item placed outward.

• Eye direction used for balance and compositional unity.

Crystallographic Balance

• Geometric Repetition

• Symmetry and Order

Geometric Repetition

• Artists often employ repeated geometric shapes or forms to create a sense of balance and order within a composition.

• The repetition of geometric patterns can evoke feelings of stability and uniformity, contributing to the overall balance of the artwork.

Symmetry and Order

• Crystallographic balance often relies on principles of symmetry and order, with geometric elements arranged in a precise and systematic manner.

• Symmetrical arrangements of shapes and forms create a sense of equilibrium and visual stability, appealing to the viewer's sense of harmony.

Radial Balance

Visual elements arranged around a central point, prevalent in designs like car wheels or architectural domes.

Rhythm

• visual art and design often described using music terminology.

• evoke memories or associations in other senses.

Kinesthetic Empathy

• Visual experience stimulating another sense

• refers to the phenomenon where a visual experience triggers a physical sensation or movement response in the viewer.

• It implies a deep connection between the visual stimuli and the viewer's physical and sensory experiences.

• For example, viewing a painting of dancers may evoke a sense of movement in the viewer's own body, mimicking the rhythm depicted in the artwork.

• This phenomenon enhances the viewer's engagement with the artwork, making it a multisensory experience rather than purely visual.

Element

• Visual tools used by artists to create a composition.

• Line, shape, form, space, texture, value, and color.

• Used for creating visual interest, expressing emotions,and conveying meaning.

Principle

Represents how artists use elements to convey meaning and achieve effects.

Line

• Defined as a set of points or a point set in motion.

• Can vary in thickness, direction, and style.

• Used to create shapes, textures, patterns, and convey emotions.

Contour

Outlines that define the shape and boundaries of an object, portraying its form on a flat surface.

Cross-contour

Lines that follow the internal structure or surface contours of an object, enhancing its three-dimensional appearance.

Abstract

Non-representational lines used for expressive or aesthetic purposes, allowing artists to experiment with line quality and composition to convey emotions or concepts.

Shapes and Forms

• visually perceived areas enclosed by lines or color.

• Used to create patterns, convey emotions, and draw attention.

Naturalistic

Accurate representations of objects as they appear in reality, focusing on detail and realism.

Idealistic

Idealized representations adhering to cultural or aesthetic standards of beauty, harmony, and proportion.

Distorted

Exaggerated or altered representations used for expressive or symbolic purposes, often seen in surrealism and caricature.

Abstract

Non-representational forms that depart from realism, focusing on simplified or symbolic shapes to evoke emotions or ideas.

Texture and Pattern

• perceived surface quality, can be visual or tactile.

• can be actual or implied, creating visual or tactile sensations.

Texture and Pattern

a design that repeats, created by shapes, lines, or colors.

Geometric

Precise, symmetrical patterns created using geometric shapes like squares, circles, and triangles.

Fractal

Complex, self-similar patterns that repeat at different scales, often found in nature and digital art.

Organic

Irregular, fluid patterns inspired by natural forms such as leaves, waves, and clouds.

Value

• Refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.

• Shading techniques like hatching and cross-hatching create value.

Space

• Refers to the area around, between, and within objects.

• Visual depth is created using techniques like overlapping and size variation.

Motion

Created through lines, shapes, animation, rhythm, and

optical illusions.