Drawing Foundations Terminology

Vanishing point

The point at which receding parallel lines viewed in perspective appear to converge

Tooth

The physical texture of the drawing surface, described as coarse, medium, or fine-grain tooth.

Contour line

Line that represents the contour of an object, both interior contours and outer edge

Cross-contour line

Line that describes an objects surface topography, emphasizing the volumetric shape of an object.

Two-dimensional

Having only two dimensions. lacking depth.

Value scale

The graduated steps in tonal range from white through gray to black.

Tactile

Relating to the sense of touch.

Scale

The size of a form in relationship to the viewer or to other dimensions.

Negative space

The space surrounding a positive shape or solid. that which is not occupied or filled with an object.

Hatching

Building areas of value using adjacent parallel lines.

Foreshortened

A form that is viewed in such a way that its normal proportions appear shortened compressed. also said to be seen in perspective.

Gesture drawing

In figure drawing, a quick, energetic drawing that attempts to capture the essential gesture or element of a model’s pose.

Eye level

Refers to the physical eye level of the artist, which in turn determines the position of the horizon line and the angle of perception.

Chiaroscuro

Depiction of light and shadow, generally associated with a dramatic contrasting arrangement of light and dark.

Cast shadow

The tonal value created when an object blocks light. a dark area cast on a surface by a body intercepting the light from its source.

Picture plane

The Two-dimensional surface on which the artist works. also, the imaginary plane between the artist and the subject.

Substrate

A material which provides the surface on which something is deposited or inscribed.

Rendering

The use of value to depict patterns of light and shadow.

Core shadow

the dark band visible where light and shadow meet.

Reflected light

Light that is not from a direct source, but an indirect one, redirected from one surface to another.

Viewfinder

a tool that enables the artist to crop and create a composition. It is basically a square or rectangle shape made from a piece or pieces of card/thick paper at right angles. enables you to see things by isolating them in a square/rectangle.

Composition

The arrangement of drawing elements in relationship to each other and to the whole.

Perspective

The art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point