here is important vocabulary from our lectures and readings

CHAPTER 8 :: SHAPE
shape
Shape pertains to the use of areas in two dimensional space that can be defined by edges, setting one flat specific space apart from another. Shapes can be geometric (e.g.: square, circle, triangle, hexagon, etc.) or organic (such as the shape of a puddle, blob, leaf, boomerang, etc.) in nature. Shapes are defined by other elements of art: Space, Line, Texture, Value, Color, Form.

form
Form may be created by the forming of two or more shapes or as three-dimensional shape (cube, pyramid, sphere, cylinder, etc.). It may be enhanced by tone, texture and color. Form is considered three-dimensional showing height, width and depth. Examples of these are sculpture, theatre play and figurines. Form is any three dimensional object. Form can be measured, from top to bottom (height), side to side (width), and from back to front (depth). Form is also defined by light and dark. There are two types of form, geometric (man-made) and natural (organic form). Form may be created by the combining of two or more shapes. It may be enhanced by tone, texture and color. It can be illustrated or constructed.

figure/ ground

CHAPTER 5 :: BALANCE
Allover pattern
A composition that distributes emphasis uniformly throughout the two-dimensional surface by repetition of similar elements

Asymmetrical balance
Balance achieved with dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight or equal eye attraction.

Axis
A line of reference around which a form or composition is balanced.

Balance
The equilibrium of opposing or interacting forces in a pictorial composition.

Bilateral symmetry
Balance with respect to a vertical axis

Crystallographic balance
Balance with equal emphasis over an entire two-dimensional surface so that there is always the same visual weight or attraction wherever you may look. Also called allover pattern.

Equilibrium
Visual balance between opposing compositional elements.

Imbalance
Occurs when opposing or interacting forms are out of equilibrium in a pictorial composition.

Informal balance
Synonymous with asymmetrical balance. It gives a less-rigid, more casual impression.

Mandala
A radial concentric organization of geometric shapes and images commonly used in Hindu and
Buddhist art

Radial balance
A composition in which all visual elements are balanced around and radiate from a central point.

Silhouette
The area between the contours of a shape.

Static
Still, stable, or unchanging

Symmetry
A quality of a composition or form wherein a precise correspondence of elements exists on either side of a center axis or point.

Texture
The surface quality of objects that appeals to the tactile sense.

CHAPTER 3:: EMPHASIS AND FOCAL POINT

Façade
The face or frontal aspect of a form

Focal Point
A compositional device emphasizing a certain area or object to draw attention to the piece and to encourage closer scrutiny of the work.

Realism
An approach to artwork based on the faithful reproduction of surface appearances with a fidelity to visual perception.

Value
A measure of relative lightness or darkness

CHAPTER 7 :: LINE

Calligraphy
Elegant flowing lines suggestive of writing with an aesthetic value separate from its literal content.

Contour
A line used to follow the edges of forms and thus describe their outlines

Cross contour
Lines that appear to wrap around a form in a pattern that is at an angle to the outline of the form

Gesture
A line that does not stay at the edges but moves freely within forms. These lines record movement of the eye as well as implying motion in the form.

Implied line
An invisible line created by positioning a series of points so that the eye will connect them and thus relate movement across the picture plane.

Line
A visual element of length. It can be created by setting a point in motion.

Line quality
any one of a number of characteristics of line determined by its weight, direction, uniformity, or other features

Lost-and-found contour
A description of a form in which an object is revealed by distinct contours in some areas whereas other edges simply vanish or dissolve into the ground

Psychic line
A mental connection between two points or elements

CHAPTER 2 :: UNITY

UNITY / HARMONY

REPRESENTATIONAL

COMPOSITION

VISUAL UNITY/ INTELLECTUAL UNITY

COLLAGE

GESTALT THEORY OF VISUAL PERCEPTION

NEGATIVE SPACE/ POSITIVE SPACE

PROXIMITY

REPETITION

CONTINUATION (CONTINUITY)

VARIETY (in relation to repetition)

ASSEMBLAGE

GRAPHIC