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    GLOSSARY   

A background is the part of a two-dimensional work of art that appears to be furthest away from the viewer.

Balance refers to the way in which the elements of art are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work.  It can be described, among other ways, as asymmetrical, radial, or symmetrical. 

• Asymmetrical balance (asymmetry) occurs when a design is organized so that one side differs from the other without destroying the design’s overall harmony.

• Radial balance occurs when a design is based on a circle with its elements extending from its center like rays.

• Symmetrical balance (symmetry) occurs when parts of a design are arranged so that one side duplicates, or mirrors, the other. 

An artwork that demonstrates coherence has logically or aesthetically integrated parts that afford the viewer a sense of comprehension or recognition.   

*Color is a visual sensation dependent on the reflection or absorption of light from a given surface.  It has three primary characteristics, which are listed below. 

• Hue refers to the name of a color, e.g. red, blue, yellow.

• Intensity refers to the purity and strength of a color, e.g. bright red or dull red. 

• Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. 

*Composition (design) refers to the plan, placement, or arrangement of the elements of art in a work, usually according to the principles of art.

Contrast refers to the use of opposites—such as light and dark, rough and smooth—in close proximity to each other. 

*The elements of art (the elements of design) are the basic components used by an artist when producing works of art.  These elements include color, value, line, shape, form, texture, and space.

Emphasis refers to the use of any technique that stresses or gives dominance to a single feature—or several features—of an artwork.  Artists often use emphasized elements to direct a viewer’s attention to what they consider to be the most important aspects of a composition. 

A foreground is the area in a two-dimensional work of art that appears to be closest to the viewer; it is usually situated at the bottom of the picture. 

*A form is three-dimensional and encloses volume.  For example, a triangle, which is two-dimensional, is a shape, but a pyramid, which is three-dimensional, is a form. Cubes, spheres, cones and cylinders are additional examples of forms.

Genre painting is the depiction of subjects and scenes from everyday life; it focuses on ordinary folk and common activities, but can contain complex symbolism and messages. 

Harmony refers to a way of combining elements of art in order to accent their similarities and join the aspects of a composition into a cohesive whole.

Hue refers to the name of a color, e.g. red, blue, yellow. See also under “color.”

Intensity refers to the purity and strength of a color, e.g. bright red or dull red. See also under “color.”

A landscape is a painting, photograph or other work that depicts scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, forests, etc. 

*A line is an identifiable path of a point moving in space.  It can vary in width, direction, and length, and can have many qualities, like jagged, curly, etc.  

A middle ground is an area that lies between the foreground and the background in a two-dimensional picture or scene.

In the absence of actual motion, movement in an artwork is implied; it can be achieved by arranging the elements of art in such a way that the viewer’s eye is invited to jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one to the next. 

*Pattern is the repetition of any thing—such as shapes, lines, or colors—in order to create a design.

A portrait is a work of art that represents a specific person, group of people, or animal.  A portrait usually provides information about its subject’s physical appearance as well as his or her personality. A sitter is the person or persons pictures in the portrait.

The principles of art (the principles of design) describe the different ways in which the elements of art can be used in a work.  Artists “design” their works by controlling and ordering the elements of art based on principles such as balance, coherence, emphasis, harmony, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity, etc. 

Rhythm refers to a way of combining elements of art in order to produce the look and feel of movement, especially with a visual tempo or beat. 

*A shape is a two-dimensional area or plane.  It may be organic or inorganic, freeform or geometric, open or closed, natural or of human origin.

• Geometric refers to any shape or form that is more mathematical than organic in origin.

• Organic refers to a shape or form that is irregular or that might be found in nature.

Space refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below or within things. 

*Texture refers to the surface quality or “feel” of an object.  Texture can be actual or visual.

• Actual textures are tactile and can be felt with the fingers.

• Visual textures are suggested by the way an artist has painted, drawn or otherwise represented certain areas of an artwork.

*An object that is three-dimensional has—or appears to have—height, width and depth.

*An object that is two-dimensional has height and width but no depth; it is flat. 

Unity refers to the quality of oneness or wholeness that is achieved through the effective use of the principles of design. 

Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.  See also under “color.”

Art & Critical Thinking

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