Art Education – Elements & Principles of Art, Color Theory

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on art elements, principles, color theory, line types, color harmonies, and symbolic meanings.

Elements of Art

The visual building blocks of art: line, shape, form, space, color, value, and texture.

Line

An element of art defined by a moving point in space, having length and direction.

Vertical Line

A straight up-and-down line suggesting height and strength.

Horizontal Line

A straight line parallel to the horizon that conveys width, calmness, and stability.

Diagonal Line

A slanted line (neither vertical nor horizontal) that implies movement or instability.

Curved Line

A line that bends gradually, evoking comfort, ease, or sensuality.

Zigzag Line

A series of connected diagonals conveying action, excitement, or anxiety.

Shape

A closed, two-dimensional area that expresses length and width; can be geometric or organic.

Form

A three-dimensional element of art that encloses volume, showing height, width, and depth.

Value

The lightness or darkness of a color or tone; white is lightest, black darkest, middle gray is halfway.

Tint

A lighter value of a hue created by adding white.

Shade

A darker value of a hue created by adding black.

Space

The area around, between, or within shapes and forms.

Positive Space

The area occupied by shapes or forms in an artwork.

Negative Space

The empty or open area around and between shapes or forms.

Color

The visible wavelength of light reflected from a surface, perceived as hue.

Primary Colors

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

Secondary Colors

Green, orange, and violet—created by mixing two primary colors in equal parts.

Tertiary Colors

Hues produced by mixing a primary color with its adjacent secondary (e.g., blue-green).

Cool Colors

Hues dominated by blue, such as green, blue, and violet, which evoke calmness.

Warm Colors

Hues dominated by red, such as red, orange, and yellow, evoking warmth and energy.

Complementary Color Scheme

A harmony using two hues opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue & orange).

Split-Complementary Scheme

Uses a base hue plus the two hues adjacent to its complement (e.g., yellow with red-violet & blue-violet).

Analogous Color Scheme

Three hues positioned next to each other on the color wheel (e.g., green, blue-green, blue).

Triadic Color Scheme

Three hues evenly spaced around the color wheel (e.g., yellow-green, red-orange, blue-violet).

Tetradic (Rectangle) Scheme

Four hues arranged into two complementary pairs (e.g., orange, red, blue, green).

Square Color Scheme

Four hues evenly spaced around the wheel (e.g., yellow, red-orange, violet, blue-green).

Monochromatic Scheme

Variations of a single hue in different tints and shades.

Hue

The identity or name of a color.

Intensity (Saturation)

The purity or strength of a hue.

Texture

The surface quality of an object, actual (felt) or implied (visual).

Actual Texture

The real tactile surface quality of an object.

Implied Texture

The illusion of texture created visually in an artwork.

Principles of Art

Guidelines for organizing elements: balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, rhythm, unity, variety.

Balance

The distribution of visual weight so that no part overpowers another.

Symmetrical (Formal) Balance

Mirror-like arrangement where both sides of an axis appear identical.

Asymmetrical (Informal) Balance

Uneven distribution of elements that still achieves overall equilibrium.

Radial Balance

Elements radiate from a central point, creating circular symmetry.

Unity (Harmony)

The sense of wholeness achieved when elements and principles work together cohesively.

Emphasis (Focal Point)

The dominant area that attracts the viewer’s attention first.

Rhythm (Visual)

A visual tempo created by repeated elements to suggest movement.

Proportion

The size relationship of parts to each other and to the whole.

Variety

The use of contrasting elements to create interest.

Movement (Principle)

The path the viewer’s eye follows, often leading to a sense of action.

Red – Symbolic Meaning

Associated with passion, excitement, love, danger, and bravery.

Violet/Purple – Symbolic Meaning

Symbolizes wealth, nobility, glamour, and regality.

Blue – Symbolic Meaning

Represents wisdom, hope, reason, peace, and calm.

Green – Symbolic Meaning

Suggests nature, growth, freshness, and fertility.

Yellow – Symbolic Meaning

Conveys optimism, happiness, cheerfulness, and liveliness.

Orange – Symbolic Meaning

Evokes warmth and energy.

White – Symbolic Meaning

Denotes innocence, purity, and kindness.

Black – Symbolic Meaning

Associated with grief, sorrow, and solemnity.