Chapter 1: The Elements of Visual Art

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and concepts from Chapter 1: The Elements of Visual Art.

Elements of Visual Art

The eight building blocks or ingredients of artwork: dot, line, shape, form, colour, value, texture, and space.

Line (Paul Klee's definition)

"Line is a dot that goes for a walk."

Line

The foundation of all drawing, the first and most versatile of the visual elements of art, and the beginning of art.

Curved Lines

Lines that suggest comfort and ease.

Horizontal Lines

Lines that suggest distance and calm.

Vertical Lines

Lines that suggest height and strength.

Jagged Lines

Lines that suggest turmoil and anxiety.

Shape

The visible appearance of an object formed when lines are joined together, having two dimensions: length and width.

Squares and Rectangles

Shapes that can portray strength and stability.

Circles and Ellipses

Shapes that can represent continuous movement.

Triangles

Shapes that can lead the eye in an upward movement.

Inverted Triangles

Shapes that can create a sense of imbalance and tension.

Form

The physical volume of a shape and the space that it occupies, existing in three dimensions: height, width, and depth.

Three-Dimensional Form

Form that can be seen from more than $1$ side, forming the basis of sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts.

Colour

One of the most dominant elements created by light, having three properties: Hue, Value, and Intensity.

Hue

The true colour property of colour.

Value

The property of colour corresponding to shades and tints.

Intensity

The property of colour corresponding to brightness.

Primary Colours

Pure colours found in nature as they are: Red, Blue, Yellow.

Secondary Colours

The colours obtained by mixing two primary colours.