Elements, Mediums, Principles, and Subjects of Art

Flashcards covering the elements, mediums, principles, and subjects of art based on the lecture notes.

Line

An identifiable path created by a point moving in space that indicates direction, orientation, movement, and energy, considered the oldest and simplest element of art.

Vertical line

A line perpendicular to the earth that serves as the basic framework of all forms, communicating height, power, delimitation, strength, stability, simplicity, and efficiency.

Horizontal line

A line that creates an impression of serenity, perfect stability, rest, calmness, peace, and repose.

Diagonal line

A line that conveys a feeling of movement and instability, representing objects that are neither vertical nor horizontal and are either about to fall or already in motion.

Jog line

A zigzag line pattern that conveys violence, confusion, and conflict.

Curve line

A line showing a gradual change of direction and fluidity, signifying subtle form, energy, and a softening effect on a composition.

Medium

The means and materials used by an artist to express ideas and feelings through art.

Painting

An image or artwork created using pigments (color) on a surface such as paper or canvas.

Drawing

The art or technique of producing images on a surface, usually paper, by means of marks made of ink, graphite, chalk, charcoal, or crayon.

Printing

Traditionally, a technique for applying under pressure a certain quantity of coloring agent onto a specified surface to form text or an illustration.

Sculpture

An artistic form in which hard or plastic materials are worked into three-dimensional art objects, including freestanding objects, reliefs, or environments.

Textile

Any filament, fiber, or yarn that can be made into fabric or cloth, derived from the Latin textilis and French texere, meaning 'to weave.'

Photography

A method of recording the image of an object through the action of light or related radiation on a light-sensitive material, derived from the Greek photos ('light') and graphein ('to draw') and first used in the 1830s.

Rhythm (Element of Art)

The pattern, arrangement of lines, color, synchronization, or connection of paths that suggest gracefulness.

Style

The typical expression, training, and outlook in life of an artist.

Shape

The enclosed space defined by other elements of art, which may take on the appearance of two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects.

Emphasis

A principle of art that refers to developing points of interest in a composition to pull the viewer's eye to important parts of the work.

Balance

A sense of stability in a body of work created by repeating similar shapes or establishing an equal feeling of weight.

Harmony

A principle achieved in artwork by using similar elements throughout, giving the work an uncomplicated look.

Variety

Refers to the differences in artwork achieved by using different shapes, textures, colors, and values.

Movement

A principle of art that adds excitement by showing action and directing the viewer's eye throughout the picture plane.

Proportion or scale

Refers to the size relationships between objects in a work of art, conveying scale such as smallness or largeness.

Unity

Occurs when all parts of a painting or drawing equal a cohesive whole, preventing the work from appearing disjointed or confusing.

Rhythm (Principle of Art)

A type of movement seen in the repetition of shapes, colors, or alternating lights and darks.

Subjects of Work of Art

The main topics or objects depicted in artistic works, such as nature, women, men, emotion, places, animals, events, saints, religion, churches, children, fruits, toys, landscapes, and seascapes.