Art & Color Theory Exam Review

These flashcards cover essential concepts in color theory, art analysis, and key historical art movements.

What is color?

The visual sensation created by light interacting with the eye.

Primary colors

Red, yellow, blue — cannot be mixed from other colors.

Secondary colors

Orange, green, violet — made by mixing two primary colors.

Tertiary colors

Mix of a primary color and a secondary color (e.g., red-orange, blue-green).

Complementary colors

Colors that are opposites on the color wheel; have high contrast (e.g., red & green).

Analogous colors

Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel; harmonious with low contrast (e.g., blue, blue-green, green).

Warm colors

Colors that include reds, oranges, and yellows; they feel energetic and forward-moving.

Cool colors

Colors that include blues, greens, and violets; they feel calm and recede visually.

Optical color mixing

Colors blend in the viewer’s eye rather than on the palette (e.g., Pointillism dots).

Form

A three-dimensional shape that has height, width, and depth.

Relief sculpture

Sculpture that is attached to a background (low or high relief).

In-the-round sculpture

Fully three-dimensional and meant to be viewed from all sides.

Volume

The amount of space a form encloses.

Mass

The sense of visual weight, solidity, or density of a form.

Line

A path made by a moving point.

Actual line

A line that is physically drawn or visible.

Implied line

A line suggested by alignment or movement, not drawn.

Directional line

A line that leads the eye toward something.

Contour line

A line that outlines shapes or forms.

Shape

A two-dimensional area defined by boundaries.

Implied shape

A shape created through suggestion, such as grouping elements.

Space

The area within or around objects; includes positive and negative space.

Foreground

The part of a scene that is closest to the viewer.

Middleground

The middle section of a scene, between the foreground and background.

Background

The part of a scene that is farthest from the viewer.

Perspective

Systems used in art for creating depth.

Atmospheric perspective

A technique where distant objects appear hazy or bluish.

Linear perspective

A drawing method where parallel lines converge at vanishing points.

Foreshortening

The distortion of object shapes to show they recede sharply in space.

Texture

The surface quality of a work of art.

Implied texture

A texture that appears to exist but cannot be physically felt.

Actual texture

A texture that is physically tactile and can be felt.

Subversive texture

Texture that opposes expectations, such as soft metal.

Time & motion

How art shows movement or the passage of time.

Continuous narrative

A technique that shows multiple moments within one scene.

Implied motion

A suggestion of movement within a static piece.

Illusion of motion

A visual trick that creates a sense of movement, often through blur.

Kinetic art

Art that physically moves.

Value

The lightness or darkness of a color.

Chiaroscuro

A technique that uses dramatic light-dark contrast to model form.

Balance

The distribution of visual weight in a composition.

Symmetrical balance

A mirror-like arrangement of elements around a central axis.

Asymmetrical balance

Balance achieved without symmetry.

Radial balance

Elements radiate from a central point.

Contrast

The difference between elements, such as color or value.

Silhouette

A dark shape outlined against a lighter background.

Figure-ground reversal

A visual phenomenon where background and figure switch roles.

Emphasis

What draws the viewer’s attention first in a composition.

Focal point

The center of interest in a work of art.

Pattern

Repeated elements that create rhythm or decoration.

Proportion

Size relationships between parts of an object.

Golden Ratio

A mathematical ratio (≈1:1.618) believed to create aesthetically pleasing proportions.

Rhythm

A visual tempo created by repeating elements.

Scale

The size of an object relative to expectation.

Monumental scale

Refers to objects larger than life.

Hierarchical scale

Size relationships that indicate importance.

Unity

A sense of wholeness where elements feel connected.

Variety

Differences in elements that add interest and prevent monotony.

Formal analysis

Examining visual elements without historical or contextual references.

Stylistic analysis

Identifying style traits that categorize an artwork by period or artist.

Iconographic analysis

Interpreting symbols and meanings within artwork.

Contextual analysis

Understanding artwork through its historical, cultural, and social context.

Religious context

Examining how faith shapes an artwork’s meaning.

Feminist analysis

Examines representation and power dynamics concerning gender in art.

Psychological analysis

Interpreting art through emotions and subconscious motivations.

Prehistoric definition

Refers to the time before written records.

Lascaux caves

Prehistoric cave sites in France known for early known art.

Cave imagery

Images such as animals and symbols found in prehistoric caves.

Hall of Bulls

Significant site in Lascaux Cave with large animal paintings.

Innovations for cave painting

Torches, scaffolding, natural pigments, and blowing techniques.

Cave painting methods

Utilized brushes made of materials like hair and moss.

Venus figurine

Small prehistoric sculptures emphasizing fertility features.

Cycladic figure

Simplified flat, geometric marble figurines from the Cycladic islands.

Fresco

A technique of painting on wet or dry plaster.

Sumerians

One of the four major Mesopotamian cultures; known for creating writing.

Cuneiform

The earliest writing system used by the Sumerians.

Ziggurat

Massive stepped platform serving as a temple and a link to the gods.

Stele

A carved stone slab used for inscriptions or reliefs.

Hybrid figures

Lamassu, winged human-headed bulls/lions in Mesopotamian art.

Pyramids of Giza

Tombs for Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure; symbolic of the afterlife.

King Tut significance

The discovery of his nearly intact tomb provided insights into Egyptian burial.

Rosetta Stone

Key artifact for deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Canopic jars

Jars used to store internal organs during mummification.

Papyrus

Material used in ancient Egypt similar to paper.

Greek culture periods

Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic.

Doric column

One of three types of Greek columns; simple and sturdy.

Contrapposto

A relaxed stance that creates a natural S-curve in sculptures.

Pax Romana

A long period of Roman peace and prosperity.

Oculus

A round opening at the top of a dome in architecture.

Coffer

Recessed panels in ceilings that reduce weight and add decoration.

Equestrian statue

Statue of a figure on horseback, symbolizing power.

Difference between Roman and Greek sculptures

Roman sculptures are more realistic and individualized; Greek sculptures idealized the human form.