Scale: This can be used to communicate depth if there is a size difference between objects. Smaller objects are usually depicted as being further away, and larger objects are usually depicted as being closer.

Linear Perspective:

Orthogonal Lines: Parallel lines that meet and disappear. (Optical Illusion)

Horizon Line: The line where the vanishing point is. (It doesn’t need to be on the actual horizon of the work.)

Vanishing Point(s): Point(s) where the orthogonal lines vanish.

Color:

Monochromatic: Single color, multiple shades.

Complementary: Opposite colors on the color wheel.

Analogous: Similar colors/colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.

Primary Colors: The three colors that can mix with any other color. Red, Blue, Yellow.

Saturation:

High Saturation: Very intense/vivid colors.

Low Saturation: Muted/toned down colors.

Temperature:

Warm: Colors that remind of warmth (fire, summer), like red, orange, and yellow.

Cool: Colors that remind of coldness (winter, water), like blue and green.

Time and Motion:

Continuous Narrative: A visual art technique that depicts multiple scenes of a story in a single image.

Implied Motion: When something is meant to be moving but isn’t moving.

Actual Motion: Art that moves using water, air currents, a motor, etc.

Unity:

Conceptual: Occurs when the artwork unites ideas known only by the artist.

Proximity: The closeness of elements in a work.

Continuity: continuous lines or patterns.

Repetition: repetitive positioning of something in a work.

Similarity: When items share some visual characteristics, they’re assumed to be related.

Balance:

Symmetrical: When two halves of an artwork are identical.

Asymmetrical: When two sides of an artwork aren’t identical.

Radial: When something in an artwork is arranged around a central point.

Scale:

Hierarchical Scale: The use of scale to indicate the importance of figures/objects in a work.

Proportion: The relationship between height, width, and depth in a work.

Focal Point: Main point of emphasis in a composition

Contrast: a visually interesting area of an image that uses contrast to get your attention.

Isolation: When an object has negative space around it.

Placement: Where an object is placed that draws your attention.

Analysis:

Formal Analysis: A method of analyzing the visual elements of a work of art.

Stylistic Analysis: Examining an artwork's visual characteristics to identify its style and how it relates to other works.

Iconographic Analysis: A method of art history that interprets the symbols and meanings in a work of art.

Contextual Analysis: A method of interpreting a work of art by considering its historical, cultural, social, and political context.

Biographical Analysis: An art historical method that examines how an artist's life and personality relate to their work.

Ancient Art Case Studies Egypt:

Common Misconceptions of Egyptian Art:

Egyptian art is not good because it’s not realistic.
Egyptian art reflects personal feelings.
Greek artists were more skilled than Egyptian artists.

Realities of Egyptian Art:

It wasn’t meant to be realistic; it was symbolic.
Most commonly, Egyptian art depicted important figures such as pharaohs who were painted or sculpted as hieroglyphics, symbolizing that it was a place for the deceased pharaoh's spirit to come live in.
Their art was usually depicted in composite perspective to illustrate clarity rather than realism.
They had a lot of portraits, while the Greeks didn’t start making portraits until much later.
Their art was usually stylized to represent other things like hierarchy and religious symbolism.

Composite Perspective: An artistic technique used in ancient Egyptian art, where figures are depicted in a way that combines multiple viewpoints into a single representation.

Stylized Art: Graphics that use exaggerated, nonrealistic shapes, proportions, colors, and features to create a unique visual style.

Greek Art:

Contrapposto: A sculptural technique that depicts a human figure standing (and standing only) with most of their weight on one leg.

Pediment: A triangular gable or wall that appears above the cornice of a Greek temple.

Architectural Orders:

Doric: A style of ancient Greek architecture with simple columns and capitals.

Corinthian: A style of ancient Greek architecture with ornate columns and capitals.

Ionic: A style of column design that is shaped slenderly and elegantly with a distinctive capital featuring scroll-like ornaments called volutes.

Proportions: The ratio of column height to diameter of the Corinthian Order is generally 10:1.

Movements: The style of buildings, pottery, and sculpture created during those times.

Anatomy: The depiction of the human body.

Fresco: A wall painting that was painted on freshly laid plaster.

Greco-Roman “Classical:

1:7 Proportions: The proportions used in Greek and Greco-Roman sculptures; the body needed to be 7 times the size of the head.

Nudity: This was often thought to be an important aspect of Greek civilization and was frequent in places such as gymnasiums and when competing in games.

Contrapposto: A sculptural technique that depicts a human figure standing (and standing only) with most of their weight on one leg.

Triumphal Arch: A monumental structure, often free-standing, that commemorates a victory, person, or event, typically featuring an arched passageway and elaborate decorations.

Basilica: mixed-use civic building in a forum (market and public space)

Byzantine:

Elongated Proportions: Used to convey a sense of spirituality and divine presence, rather than focusing on realistic human anatomy.

Gold: Used to convey the eternal Word of God, the Divine Light and the Revelation

Mosaic:
Icon: An image used in art or a physical art object painted and gold-leafed on a slab of wood.

Polychromy: The use of multiple colors in decoration, particularly in art, architecture, and sculpture.

Illuminated Manuscripts: Painted images in a manuscript book.

“Carpet Page”: Full page in an illuminated manuscript containing intricate, non-figurative, patterned designs.

Islamic:

Calligraphy: The art of beautiful handwriting.

Carpet designs: Highly valued art forms, featuring intricate geometric and floral patterns, calligraphy, and rich colors, reflecting Islamic artistic traditions and cultural significance.

Horseshoe arch or pointed arch: A type of arch in which the circular curve is continued below the horizontal line of its diameter so that the opening at the bottom of the arch is narrower than the arch's full span.

Mosque: A building or designated area used for Muslim worship and communal prayer, serving as a center for religious, social, and educational activities for the Muslim community.

Miharb: A niche in the wall of a mosque or religious school (madrasa) that indicates the direction of Mecca (qibla), which Muslims face when praying.

Aniconic: The absence of figurative representation in religious art and worship.

Romanesque:

Round Arches: Romanesque architecture, round arches, or semicircular arches, are a defining characteristic used for structural support and aesthetic appeal in buildings like churches and cathedrals.

Tympanum: The semicircular or triangular space enclosed by the arch above the lintel of an arched doorway, often decorated with relief sculpture.

Gothic:

Pointed Arches: An arch with a pointed apex, characterized by its steeply curved sides that meet at a sharp point.

Stained Glass: The colored glass windows, a hallmark of Gothic architecture, were used to create vibrant, symbolic light and narratives within cathedrals and churches during the medieval period

Flying Buttresses:External, arched supports that reinforce walls, allowing for taller, thinner structures and larger windows.

Note