Introduction to Art Concepts

Art Terminology

• Medium: The material used to create artwork (e.g., oil on canvas, watercolor on paper, wood and clay, digital print).
• Folk Art: Artwork created by individuals or communities, often self-taught and rooted in cultural traditions. This art reflects the daily lives and culture of the people who make it.
• Outsider Art: Artwork made outside of mainstream art institutions and cultures.
• Trompe l’oeil: A technique creating a 3D illusion on a flat surface. The goal is to deceive the eye, making it see a real scene.
• Abstract Art: Can either have no reference to natural objects, or depict natural objects in a simplified, distorted, or exaggerated way.
• Representational Art: Art that accurately represents reality.
• Nonrepresentational Art: Art presenting visual forms without reference to external objects.
• Iconography: The symbols and motifs used in an artwork to convey meaning.

Visual Elements

• Line: Guides the viewer's eye, communicating information through its character and direction (e.g., contour lines, implied lines, diagonal lines, vertical lines).
• Shape: Includes geometric shapes (squares, circles, triangles) and organic shapes (irregular, natural shapes), along with implied shapes.
• Light & Value: Value refers to light and dark shades. Techniques like chiaroscuro (strong light/dark contrasts) and stippling (dots for shading) are used.
• Texture: The surface quality of an object or artwork; artists use other elements (color, line, shading) to create a sense of texture.
• Color: Hue refers to the color name (red, blue, green). Value describes lightness/darkness, Intensity is brightness/dullness. Warm colors (red, yellow) appear forward; cool colors (blue, green) appear to recede. Color variations include tints (hue + white), tones (hue + gray), and shades (hue + black). Color categories include primary (red, blue, yellow), secondary (orange, green, violet), and tertiary colors (mix of primary/secondary). Color relationships include complementary colors (opposite on color wheel) and simultaneous contrast (colors change when placed next to each other).
• Space: The area around and within objects (positive and negative space). Techniques like linear perspective (using converging lines to create depth) and atmospheric perspective (objects fading in distance) are used.
• Form: Three-dimensional objects with volume and thickness. Implied forms can be created in 2D art using shading and perspective.

Principles of Design

• Composition: The arrangement of visual elements in an artwork.
• Unity & Variety: A balance between cohesion (unity) and visual interest (variety) is essential.
• Balance: Symmetrical (mirror images), or asymmetrical (different but well-balanced).
• Emphasis & Subordination: Highlighting a focal point and using less visually important areas to create contrast.
• Scale & Proportion: How large something is compared to other elements, and how those parts relate to each other.
• Hierarchical Scale: Making the most important element larger to emphasize its importance (e.g., in Ancient Egyptian art).

Test your knowledge on key concepts and terminology in art. This quiz covers definitions, techniques, and principles related to various art forms, including folk art, abstract art, and visual elements. Perfect for art students looking to reinforce their understanding.