12/2 art vocab

Value Gradation

Gradual change from dark to light areas used to create the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface.

Vanishing points

Imaginary points at the horizon where parallel lines meet

Vignette

Drawing in which the shapes often fade gradually into the empty working area around the edges of the drawing

Two Point Perspective

A technique for perspective that shows different sets of receding lines converging, or meeting, at different vanishing points.

Thumbnail Sketch

Small sketch drawn quickly to record ideas and information for finished drawings

Three Point Perspective

A technique in which objects in a drawing have three vanishing points---two on the horizon and one above or below it.

Stump

Tightly rolled paper stick used for blending

Shading

The use of light and shadow to give a feeling of depth.

Stippling

Creating dark values by using a dot pattern.

Rubbing

Method of reproducing texture by placing a thin sheet of paper over an actual textured surface and then rubbing the top of the paper with a crayon, pencil, or charcoal

Picture plane

The flat surface of a painting or drawing.

One Point Perspective

A technique for perspective in which the lines formed by the sides of the road, walk, or track seem to come together at a vanishing point on the horizon. It is also known as parallel perspective.

Outline Contour

The line around the outer edge of a figure or an object that shows the overall shape of the person or object that you are viewing from a particular spot.

Roughs

Sketches that indicated the general idea for finished work, including the size, position, and relationship to images.

Line

A continuous mark made on some surface by a moving point.

Linear Perspective

Technique for creating the illusion of depth for the three-dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface known as a picture plane

Hatching

Drawing a series of thin lines all running parallel, or in the same direction.

Highlight

Areas on a surface that reflect the most light. In a drawing, these areas are shown by light values to create the illusion of depth.

Gesture drawing

A drawing in which lines are drawn quickly and loosely to capture the form and actions of a subject in movement

Formal Drawing

Drawings that concentrate on design qualities

Foreshortening

Shortening an object in a drawing to make it look as if it extends backward into the space. This method reproduces proportions a viewer sees

Expressive qualities

The way the drawing effectively communicates an idea, feeling, or mood to the viewer.

Crosshatching

The technique of using sets of crisscrossing, parallel, and overlapping lines to create areas of differing degrees of darkness.

Contour drawing

A drawing in which an object is drawn as though your drawing tool is moving along all the edges and the ridges of the form.

Cast Shadow

Shadow thrown by the object onto a surface; it is sharper and darker nearer the object.

Blending

Smoothly drawing dark values little by little by pressing harder on the drawing medium.

Blind contour drawing

An exercise in which you concentrate on the contours of the object you are drawing and avoid looking at your paper.

Atmospheric Perspective

Decreasing the intensity of hues for objects that appear farther back in a composition. This technique is used to create the illusion of space and suggest the effects of light, air, and distance