U2 Art

Geometric

Sharp, regular shapes based on math. (Example: Squares, circles, and triangles)

Foreshortening

Making an object look like it is jutting out toward the viewer by shortening its length. (Example: Drawing a comic book hero's fist massive and their arm short as they punch forward)

Line

A continuous mark made on a surface by a moving point. (Example: A straight horizon line or a wavy line)

Space

The area around, inside, or between objects in an artwork. (Example: The empty sky around a painted mountain)

Free form shapes

Irregular, uneven shapes often found in nature; also called organic shapes. (Example: The shape of a cloud or a puddle of water)

Depth

The illusion of 3D distance on a flat, 2D surface. (Example: Drawing objects smaller in the background to make them look far away)

Sfumato

A painting technique where sharp outlines are softened into a smoky haze. (Example: The soft, blurry edges around the Mona Lisa’s smile)

Negative space

The empty area around the main subject of an artwork. (Example: The air gaps between your fingers when you hold up your hand)

Shadow

An area of darkness created when an object blocks light. (Example: The dark shape cast on the ground under a tree on a sunny day)

Mass

The physical weight or bulk of a 3D object. (Example: A heavy marble statue has literal mass)

Shade

A darker version of a color made by adding black. (Example: Navy blue is a shade of blue)

Impasto

Paint applied very thickly to a canvas so it stands out in textures you can feel. (Example: Vincent van Gogh’s thick, swirling brushstrokes in The Starry Night)

Tint

A lighter version of a color made by adding white. (Example: Pink is a tint of red)

Tone

A softer, muted version of a color made by adding gray. (Example: Sage green or slate blue)

Cross-hatching

Shading using crisscrossed intersecting lines. (Example: Drawing a grid pattern with a pen to make a shadow look darker)

Texture

How something feels, or looks like it would feel, to the touch. (Example: Rough sandpaper vs. smooth silk)

Linear perspective

A mathematical system using lines that meet at a point to create the illusion of 3D space on flat paper. (Example: Drawing a long road that narrows into a single point in the distance)

Vanishing point

The single spot on the horizon line where parallel lines seem to meet and disappear. (Example: The exact dot where train tracks meet far away in a drawing)

Light

The element that makes things visible and creates highlights and shadows. (Example: The bright glow from a lamp hitting one side of an apple)

Value

The lightness or darkness of a color. (Example: A grayscale chart ranging from bright white to pitch black)

Hue

The pure name of a color itself. (Example: Red, Blue, and Yellow)

Complementary colors

Colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel that look intense when placed side-by-side. (Example: Red and Green, or Blue and Orange)

Primary colors

The three basic colors that cannot be mixed from other colors. (Example: Red, Yellow, and Blue)

Secondary colors

Colors made by mixing two primary colors. (Example: Orange, Green, and Purple)

Tertiary colors

Colors made by mixing a primary color with a secondary color next to it. (Example: Red-Orange or Blue-Green)

Gradation

A gradual, smooth change from one shade, color, or value to another. (Example: A sunset fading smoothly from bright yellow to deep orange)

Unity

The feeling that all parts of an artwork belong together and work as a team. (Example: Using the exact same shades of blue throughout a painting to tie it together)

Form

A 3D object that has height, width, and depth. (Example: A sphere vs. a flat circle)

Modeling

In 2D art, using light and shadow to make a flat object look 3D. (Example: Shading a circle so it looks like a round, solid ball)

Subject matter

What the artwork is literally a picture of. (Example: A bowl of fruit, a landscape, or a portrait)

Realistic

Art made to look exactly like the real world. (Example: A painting that looks so real you mistake it for a photograph)

Naturalistic

Art that mimics the organic appearances of nature, though it might be slightly idealized. (Example: A landscape painting that captures natural lighting perfectly)

Iconology

The deeper study of what an artwork means within its historical culture. (Example: Figuring out why a certain king wanted himself painted with a specific crown in 1500)

Iconography

The study of symbols and images used in art to identify their literal meaning. (Example: Knowing that a dove in a painting stands for peace)

Deconstruction

Breaking down an artwork or concept to look at its hidden assumptions or parts. (Example: Analyzing how a famous painting leaves out certain groups of people)