Elements of Art Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key elements of art, including lines, shapes, form, value, texture, and color properties from the lecture.

Line

A prolongation of a point that can be extended in any direction.

Vertical lines

Straight lines that show stability and firmness.

Horizontal lines

Straight lines that give a feeling of tranquillity and rest.

Diagonal lines

Straight lines that suggest dignity and authority.

Jagged lines

Lines that express disorder.

Curve lines

Lines that suggest continuous movement, which include serpentine, convex, concave, spiral, and scroll types.

Shape

A two-dimensional area that encloses a space and forms the defined area of a form.

Form

A three-dimensional entity that encloses space as well as takes up space.

Positive space

The space where shapes and forms exist.

Negative space

The empty space around shapes and forms.

Value

The relative degree of lightness or darkness, representing the transition between lightness and darkness in an object.

Tints

Any color mixed with white.

Shades

Any color mixed with black.

Tones

Any color mixed with gray.

Achromatic

Describing black, white, and gray because they have no hue.

Texture

The surface quality of an object, which may be actual or implied.

Hue

The quality by which we distinguish one color from another; the name of a color.

Intensity

The brightness and dullness of a color.

Primary colors

Yellow, red, and blue; colors that cannot be created by any combination of other colors.

Secondary colors

Orange, violet, and green; colors produced by mixing equivalent amounts of two primary colors.

Tertiary colors

Six colors produced by mixing equivalent amounts of primary and secondary colors (red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet).

Symbolism of Red

Expresses love and war.

Symbolism of Blue

Suggests peace and coolness.

Symbolism of Yellow

Stands for light and joy.

Symbolism of Orange

The symbol of wisdom and knowledge.

Symbolism of Black

Stands for grief and death.

Symbolism of Green

Suggests life and growth.

Symbolism of Violet

Symbolizes nobility and royalty.