Art Elements Flashcards

Color

• Composed of three properties: Hue (color name), Value (lightness/darkness), and Intensity (brightness/purity).
• Value changes with the addition of white or black; intensity indicates how strong or faint a color appears.

Form

• A three-dimensional element that encloses space, incorporating height, width, and depth.
• Examples include cubes, pyramids, and cylinders; forms can be free-flowing or geometric.

Line

• Defined as a point moving in space, which can be two or three-dimensional.
• Can be descriptive, implied, or abstract.

Shape

• A two-dimensional element characterized by height and width.
• Shapes are flat and do not contain depth.

Space

• Involves defining positive and negative areas, creating a sense of depth.

Texture

• Refers to the perceived surface qualities of an object, suggesting how it may feel.

Value

• Represents the lightness or darkness of tones or colors, with white as the lightest and black as the darkest.
• Middle gray is the value midway between white and black.

Balance

• Combines elements to achieve equilibrium within a composition, with symmetrical and asymmetrical types.

Contrast

• A technique to highlight differences in elements to create a focal point.

Movement

• Design principle inducing action and guiding the viewer's eye throughout the artwork.

Pattern

• Refers to a two-dimensional visual repetition that has no movement and may or may not display rhythm.

Emphasis

• Combines elements to stress the differences (contrast) among them.

Rhythm

• Indicates movement created by the careful placement of repeated elements, establishing a visual tempo.

Unity

• Achieved through effective use of art elements and principles, promoting a sense of wholeness through simplicity, repetition, and proximity.

Shade

• A darker version of a hue created by adding black; the converse is known as a tint.

Neutral Colors

• Black and white are considered neutral colors in art.

Warm Colors

• Red, orange, and yellow are classified as warm colors, evoking energy and activity.

Cool Colors

• Blue, green, and violet are categorized as cool colors, often creating a calming effect.

Value Scale

• A progression from black to white, illustrating varying shades of gray.

Tint

• A lighter version of a hue created by adding white, contrasting with shade.

Primary Colors

• Red, yellow, and blue serve as the foundational colors from which other colors are mixed.

Secondary Colors

• Orange, green, and violet result from mixing primary colors.

Intermediate or Tertiary Colors

• Formed by mixing a primary color with a secondary color.

Complementary Colors

• Colors positioned opposite each other on the color wheel enhance contrast.

Analogous Colors

• Neighboring colors on the color wheel sharing a common hue, like red, red-orange, and orange.

Monochromatic Color

• A color scheme focusing on one hue, utilizing its tints and shades for unity.

Focal Point

• The main area attracting viewer attention created through contrast, location, isolation, convergence, or unusual elements.

Symmetrical

• A balance where two halves of a composition mirror each other as identical images.

Asymmetrical

• Informal balance that uses unlike objects with equal visual weight for compositional harmony.

Proportion

• The size relationship of one element in relation to another within a composition.

Intensity

• Refers to the vibrancy or dullness of a hue; pure hues indicate high intensity, while mixed hues yield low intensity.

Graphic Designer

• An artist specializing in visual communications like posters and billboards.

Direct Light

• Occurs when a light source illuminates an object directly.

Importance of Light

• Crucial in artwork for revealing depth and detailing features.

Color Wheel

• A circular spectrum showing the relationships and properties of colors, including primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.