Decathlon Art Terminology

Line

The path of a point moving through space.

• Length, width, direction

• Hard or soft

• Bold or indistinct

• Uniform or varying in width

• Can be implied with dots/lines

Vertical Lines: move the eye upward

Horizontal Lines: peace and tranquility

Jagged Lines: sense of activity

Shape

Two-dimensional area of an object.

• Squares, circles, drawings

• Represents real life figures

Form

Three-dimensional objects.

• Length, width, depth

• Cubes, spheres, sculpting

• Can be portrayed in 2D art (shading)

Positive Space

The object, shape, or form itself.

• Main figure/idea

Negative Space

Surrounding space, objects, and shapes.

• Background character/scenery

• Created through open space

Perspective

An illusion of depth.

• Size of an object determined by its placement on a plane

• Sense of volume and space

Color

Hues.

• Local or optical

• Warm or cool

• Intensity

• Visual/emotional effect

• Creates space

Value

Lightness or darkness.

• Sets atmosphere

• Expressive quality

Neutrals

Black and white.

• Grays created by mixing

• Changes hue/intensity when added to color

Local Color

Color in normal lighting.

• Ex. Grass in daylight

• Real color and true tone

Optical Color

Color in special lighting.

• Ex. Grass in nighttime

• Lighting or mood

Arbitrary Color

Color chosen for artistic effect.

• Ex. Red sky, blue grass

• Emotional/aesthetic impact

Texture

Perceived surface quality.

• Actual or visual

• Ex. Bumpy, grainy

• Feeling depth

• adds shape

Composition

Organization of the elements.

• Ex. Flower arrangements

• Far or close

• Fills or opens void

• Contrast

Rhythm

Movement or pattern.

• Heavier objects closer

• Smaller objects farther

• Sense of fulcrum balance

Motif/Pattern

Motif: single element of a pattern.

Pattern: repeating certain elements.

• Ex. Quilt

• Repetition

• Decoration

• Composition

Balance

Equal distribution of visual weight.

• Ex. Folding paper in half

• Ex. Column, wings, windows

• Symmetry

Approximate Symmetry

Shapes/objects slightly varied on the central axis.

• Different patterns filling the same space

• Variation

Focal Point

Where the eye focuses/rests on the most.

• Brings interest

• Contrast

• Visual appeal

Proportion

Size relationship to composition.

• Ex. Basketball vs baseball

• Accurate depiction

• Disproportionate for emphasis

Scale

Dimensional relation or parts related to overall composition.

• Ex. Sistine Chapel is massive

• Intriguing

• Contrast

Drawing

Basic of art practices.

• Lines

• Pencil, pen, ink

• Textures

• Sketching

• Base

Shading Techniques

Hatching, crosshatching, stippling.

• Illusion of 3D

• Changes value

• Density

Relief Printmaking

Cutting away parts of the plate and printing onto paper.

• Ex. Carving into wood and rolling stamp ink over the surface

• Dimension

• Variety

• Contrast

Intaglio Printmaking

Opposite of relief; lines carved into the surface.

• Bank notes, passports, stamps

• Engraving, etching

• Shorter: fainter

• Longer: deeper

• Creates depth

Lithography

Surface drawn on with a wax tool and then ink is applied.

• Oil and water

• Easier than other printmaking techniques

Paint

Made of pigments, binders, and solvents.

• Natural or synthetic

• Powdered

  Ground materials: clays gemstones, minerals

  Binders: egg yolk, linseed oil, wax

Fresco

Technique used on walls or ceilings.

• Powdered pigments and water applied to wet plaster ground

• Murals

• Permanent

Tempura

Water-based paint that can’t be blended once applied to the surface.

• Narrow tone in range

• Light or dark

• Fast-drying

• Long-lasting colors

Oil Painting Techniques

Glaze: semi-transparent layer

Impasto: Heavy lumps or paint applied quickly

• Dries very slowly

• Can alter colors

• Transparent effect

• Texture

Encaustic

Colored molten wax fused with the surface.

• Grave markers

• Long-lasting

• Environmentally safer

Gouache

Water-based opaque paint.

• Like tempura, but higher quality

• Bright colors

• More detail

• Design and fine artwork

Watercolor

Water-based paint.

• Most common

• Lighter tint with more water

• Must be planned precisely

Acrylic

Synthetic materials, plastics, and polymers.

• All surfaces like wood, fabric, metal, etc.

• Versatile

• Decorative

• Fast drying

• Less detailed

Photography

Pictures in a scenic/artistic way.

• People or scenes

• Film and video

• Artistic value

• Symbolism

• Composed and focused

Sculpture

Carving, modeling, casting, construction.

• Clay, stone, marble

• Freestanding or relief

• Religious

• Remembrance

• Honor

Carving

Removing material.

• Stone or wood

• Chisels, hammers, files

• Chiseling, gouging, shaping

• Physical, 3D works

Modeling

Additive process formed by hand or simple tools.

• Clay, wax, plaster, paper mache

• Soft and workable

Cast Form

Form encased in a mold or plaster.

• Unfired clay or wax

• Plaster, metal, or resins

• Identical clones

Environmental Art/Earthworks/Land Art

Changing nature to create large-scale constructed art on site.

• Impermanent

• Changes over time

• Natural

Mixed Media

Using several art mediums to create one big art piece.

• Ex. Collages

• Fabric, rope, dishes, newspapers

• Expressive

• Incorporates all types of art forms

Performance Art

Performing in art form.

• Acting, singing, dancing

• Poems

• Stylistic

• Visual

Craft and Folk Art

Art forms across culture.

• Pottery and jewelry

• Fibers, glass, and wooden objects

• Cultural

• Community

• Historical presence

Pottery

Based upon natural material from the ground.

• Formed through a wheel, rolled coils, and assembly

• Conventional items

• Decorations

Fiber Arts

Woven and non-woven materials.

• Weaving, looming, braiding, knitting, crocheting, quilting

• Communicates messages

• Emotional meaning

Post-and-lintel Construction

Stone or wooden beam placed horizontally across up-right posts.

• Ex. Greek Parthenon

• Structure and support

Roman Architectural Developments

Arches, vaults, and domes.

• Ex. Colosseum

• Concrete

• Aqueducts, baths, public works

• Greater interior space

• Tall

Medieval Architectural Developments

Skeletal building style.

• Buttresses

• Thin walls

• Stained-glass windows

• Cathedrals

• Greater lighting and color

• Tall

Industrial Revolution Architectural Developments

Iron and steel building style.

• Ex. Crystal Palace, Eiffel Tower

• Reinforced concrete and bricks

• Railways and bridges

• Durability