VISUAL analysis vocabulary

line

a mark, or implied mark, between two endpoints

shape

a two-dimensional area, the boundaries of which are defined by lines or suggested by changes in color or value

focal point

the center of interest or activity in a work of art, often drawing the viewer's attention to the most important element; the area in a composition to which the eye returns most naturally

form

an object that can be defined in three dimensions

volume

the space filled or enclosed by a 3D figure or object

medium (plural media)

the material on or from which an artist chooses to make a work of art

texture

the surface quality of a work, for example fine/coarse

value

the lightness or darkness of a color, plane, or are

space

the distance between indentifiable points or planes

implied depth

creating the illusion of distance or depth in two dimensionscol

color

the optical effect caused when reflected white light of the spectrum is divided into separste wavelengths

motion

th eeffect of changing placement in time

unity

appearance of oneness or harmony in a work of art; all of the elements appearing to be a part of a cohesive whole

variety

the diversity of different ideas, media, and elements in a work

balance

a principle of art in which elements are used to create a symmetrical or asymmetrical sense of visual weight in an artworkscal

e

the size of an object or artwork relative to another object or artwork, or to a system of measurementprop

proprtion

the relationship in size between a work’s individual parts and the whole pa

pattern

an arrangement of predicrtably repeated elements

rhythm

the regular or ordered repetition of elements in the workemph

emphasis

the principle of drawing attention to a particular aspect of a work of art

subordination

opposite of emphasis; it draws our attention away from particular areas of a work