VISUAL ARTS

The visual arts are: Those creations we can look at. Works which are primarily visual in nature

► refers to what was used to create art M E D I U M O F V I S U A L A R T S ► refers to what was used to create art

► . Oil paint, watercolor, acrylic paint, tempera paint, fresco, ink, pencil, marble, bronze, clay, film are all mediums.

DRAWING is a means of making an image, using any of a wide variety of tools and techniques.

PAINTING is the practice of applying pigment suspended in a carrier (or medium) and a binding agent (a glue) to a surface (support) such as paper, canvas or a wall.

PRINTMAKING is creating for artistic purposes an image on a matrix which is then transferred to a two-dimensional (flat) surface by means of ink (or another form of pigmentation).

PHOTOGRAPHY is the process of making pictures by means of the action of light.

FILMMAKING is the process of making a motion-picture, from an initial conception and research, through scriptwriting, shooting and recording, animation or other special effects, editing, sound and music work and finally distribution to an audience; it refers broadly to the creation of all types of films, embracing documentary, strains of theatre and literature in film, and poetic or experimental practices, and is often used to refer to video-based processes as well.

COMPUTER ART is any art in which computers played a role in production or display of the artwork

SCULPTURE is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials - typically stone such as marble - or metal, glass, or wood.

Plastic arts is a term, now largely forgotten, encompassing art forms which involve physical manipulation of a plastic medium by moulding or modeling such as sculpture or ceramics.

Mixed media refers to an artwork in the making of which more than one medium has been employed.

PERFORMING ARTS are those forms of art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object.

ELEMENTS OF VISUAL ART

L I N E is an element of art which refers to the continuous mark made on some surface by a moving point. It may be two dimensional line or it may be a three dimensional line or implied .

Contour Lines

Actual Lines

Implied Line

SHAPE is an enclosed space defined by other elements of art. Shapes may be geometric (triangle, rectangle, circle...) or have an organic or natural character (trees, leaves, rocks, puddles...).

Biomorphic

Geometric

Amorphous (SHAPELESS)

Positive and Negative Shape

Figure-Ground Reversals

COLOR it is the range of visual light in the spectrum and properties of the pigments used in making visual art. HUE - the name of the color (green , yellow , etc.) INTENSITY - is the amount of pigment or saturation . (brightness , dullness ,etc.) VALUE - the lightness or darkness of the color. 

Warm Colors

Cool Color

Local Color

Optical Colors

FORM is an element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume. (Cubes, spheres,and cylinders)

SPACE is the area occupied by an object or the area formed by the absence of an object(s).

Linear Perspective

Aerial Perspective

RHYTHM is patterned organization of colors, lines, textures, or combinations of art elements that create a pleasing effect. A visual rhythm will lead the eye from one area to another in a rhythmical and orderly manner.

BALANCE is the perception of equilibrium between the elements in the piece of art.

Symmetrical

Asymmetrical

Radial Balance

EMPHASIS is the focal point of interest in a piece created by accenting or exaggerating a specific area or art element to create greater interest.

CONTRAST is the comparison of two elements that appear different (values of light and dark, hues...). Strong contrasts are the most dissimilar examples of an art element (dark - light, black - white).