Art Techniques and Color Theory: Key Concepts for Artists

Local color

color that is seen in natural light

Arbitrary color

color that is made up by the artist

Primary Colors

red, yellow, blue

Secondary Colors

orange, green, violet

Monochromatic

color scheme using one color with tints and shades of that color

Analogous color scheme

using colors next to each other on the color wheel

Complementary

color scheme using colors opposite each other on the color wheel

Split complementary

color scheme with a color and the two adjacent colors of its complement

Warm colors

advance toward the viewer

Cool colors

recede into the background

Impasto

thick layers of paint. Van Gogh used this painting technique.

Hatching

parallel lines to create value

Cross-hatching

intersecting parallel lines to create value

Grid method

technique used to accurately draw proportions from a reference photo by creating a series of squares on top of photo and on the drawing surface.

Gesture

loose marks that emphasize direction and movement, great for drawing live models

Linear perspective

parallel lines that converge to a vanishing point on horizon line

Atmospheric perspective

colors, values and details decrease as objects recede into the distance.

Contemporary Art

of today

Picture Plane

The imaginary flat surface in which the artist can arrange objects and uses as a visual reference

Still life

inanimate objects used as subject matter

Artistic voice

an artist's personal style that is discovered over time

Sighting

using your eye to measure and compare the size of objects in a drawing.

Composition

The orderly arrangements of elements in an artwork

Contour Line

a clean line that defines the inner and outer edges of an object

Thumbnail

small sketches that help an artist figure out their composition

Painterly

visible brushstrokes that shows the artist's hand movements

Chiaroscuro

dramatic light and dark contrast

Focal point

a specific area of artwork that attracts viewers attention.

Fixative

a spray material that protects works and prevents fading or smudging

Portrait

the subject matter of the artwork is the face / head

Foreground

objects that are lower on picture plane are closer to the viewer

Expressionism

a style of art that emphasizes communicating emotions, thoughts and feelings.

Asymmetrical Balance

a type of visual balance that is NOT the same on left and right side of composition, but appears visually balanced

Fair Use

A legal doctrine that allows for the permitted used of copyrighted materials without permission, depending on the level of infringement.

Charcoal

medium that is made from burning organic matter like twigs

6H, 4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B

darkness of pencils from light to dark.

Kathe kolwitz (What is the Subject matter)

Self portrait 

Salvador Dali “The sacrament of The Lat supper (The art movement is) 

Surrealism

Vincent Van Gogh Self Potrait (What is the technique used?)

Impasto

William De Kooning “Woman I” (What is the art movement)

Abstract Expressionism

Janet Fish (What is the Art movement?)

Realism 

“Gas” Who is the artist

Edward Hopper

Claude Monet “Argenteuil” What is the Art movement?

Impressionism

“Two sisters” Who is the artist?

Auguste Renoir