Art Terminology

Different art terms and their definitions to memorize.

Abstraction

The reduction or simplification of the natural world

Non-representational

To bear no trace of any reference to the natural world

Aesthetic

Relating to or characterized by a concern with beauty or good taste

Content

Material that has meaning, shaped by the artist’s concept or intent.

Biomorphic

Abstract forms or images relating to plants or the human body

Curvilinear

Stressing the use of curved lines

Figure Ground Relationship

Relationship between foreground and background

Figure Ground Ambiguity

Visual illusion with two alternate viewpoints

Figure Ground Reversal

The inversion of background and foreground

Alignment

Lining up the top, bottom, sides, and middle of graphic elements on a page

Display Type

Type that is designed to attract attention

Kerning

The adjustment of space between two characters in type

Gestalt

Different designs and elements that are perceived as a whole by the human eye

Typography

The arrangement of type in a readable and visually appealing way.

Line

A point with length and direction

Form

something that is three-dimensional and encloses volume

Size

The extend of a shape or length of a line

Shape

Specific spatial character of an area or line

Scale

The relative size among separate elements while keeping it’s shape and proportion in tact

Proportion

Comparative and accurate relations between parts of a whole.

Distortion

Any change made by an artist in the size, position or general character of forms relative to how they normally appear

Outline

The edge

Pattern

Repetitive use of an element or elements

Rhythm

Regular recurrence or alteration in sequence

Repetition

The use of similar design features again and again

Proximity

Grouping art elements to create a relationship

Balance

The achievement of equilibrium

Tension

Dynamic interrelationships of force as seen in the interaction among the qualities of the art elements

Contrast

Two design elements in opposition to each other

Dominance

The relative importance of certain elements above others in the same composition

Negative Space

the empty areas in a design

Harmony

Characterized by a combination of similar, related elements that are visually pleasing.

Hierarchy

the arrangement of elements in a way that implies importance

Unity

The appearance or condition of oneness

Variety

To change the character of an element, to make it different, to break the system

Composition

The arrangement of art elements

Symmetry

Arrangement of elements on either side of the center of a composition in an equally weighted manner

Asymmetry

Lacking in equality of halves

Radial

Elements moving away from a center point

Crystallographic

Mosaic or “allover”

Rule of Thirds

compositional guideline that breaks an image down into thirds

Abstract Expressionism

Abstract expressionism is the term applied to new forms of abstract art developed by American painters in the 1940's and 1950's

Academic

Of or relating to the conservative style of art promoted by an official academy

Classicism

Principles embodied in the styles, theories, or philosophies of the art of ancient Greece and Rome

Bauhaus

A German school of art, design, and architecture. Their design goals were to synthesize technology, craftsmanship, and design aesthetics

Collage

Disparate physical or Digital Imagery arranged within the confines of the picture plane

Conceptual Art

The idea behind the work is more important than the finished art object

Modernism

Refers to the global movement in society and culture that from the early decades of the twentieth century sought a new alignment with the experience and values of modern industrial life

Post-Modernism

Postmodernism was a reaction against modernism and is associated with skepticism, irony and philosophical critiques of the concepts of universal truths and objective reality

Relational Aesthetics

Art where the artist is the catalyst for the art experience, rather than being the center

Public Art

art in any media whose form, function and meaning are created for the general public through a public process.

Expressionism

refers to art in which the image of reality is distorted in order to make it expressive of the artist's inner feelings or ideas