Analogous colours |
Those colours that share the same hue (e.g., various reds and pinks).
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Art forms |
Classifications of art works (e.g., painting, sculpture, drawing, installation).
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Asymmetrical |
Uneven and irregular.
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Colour |
Visual identity that is the result of a pigment's ability to absorb and reflect light. Colours have hue (i.e., spectral range), value (i.e., lightness or darkness), and intensity (i.e., brilliance).
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Complementary colours |
Colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel.
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Contrast |
Degree of difference. For example, there is a high degree of contrast between black and white.
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Constructed environment |
Human-made surroundings (e.g., buildings, bridges, roads, the classroom).
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Elements of art |
Colour, texture, line, shape, form, and space.
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Form |
A three-dimensional solid.
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Geometric shapes |
Circle, square, rectangle, triangle, for example.
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Geometric forms |
Cube, cylinder, sphere, for example.
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Hidden line |
The illusion of line. Hidden lines are created by repetition of colours, shapes, images. For example, the pickets of a fence create a hidden line.
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Hue |
Colour or tint.
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Image making |
Depicting people, animals, or objects in two and three dimensions.
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Line |
Any mark left by a moving point.
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Mass media |
Means of communicating to large numbers of people (e.g., radio, television, magazines).
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Media |
Artists' materials (e.g., paint, graphite, clay).
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Natural environment |
Natural surroundings (e.g., trees, rocks, grass).
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Non-representational art works |
Works that do not contain representations of real objects.
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Organic shapes and forms |
Shapes and forms that are free-flowing and non-geometric.
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Paths of movement |
Hidden lines that draw a viewer's eye from one element or image to another.
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Point of view |
The angle from which something is viewed.
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Perspective |
The illusion of depth; the relationship between objects as to position or distance.
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Primary colours |
Red, yellow, blue.
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Principles of design |
Emphasis, balance, movement, repetition, variety, contrast, and unity.
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Representational art works |
Works that contain representations of real objects. These works can be realistic or abstract.
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Secondary colours |
Colours made by combining two primary colours (e.g., orange, green, and purple).
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Shape |
A two-dimensional form. Shape can also refer to the configuration of a three-dimensional form (e.g., an orange can be described as a round shape).
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Symbols |
Objects that are intended to represent something other than themselves.
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Symmetrical |
The same on both sides when divided down the middle.
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Tactile |
Connected with the sense of touch.
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Tertiary colours |
Those colours that fall between primary and secondary colours on the colour wheel.
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Texture |
Tactile surface (i.e., how something feels to the touch). Two-dimensional art works sometimes have the illusion of texture in their work.
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Visual balance |
Balance created by manipulation of the formal elements, placement of images, and consideration of visual weight.
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Visual information |
Any information that is gathered through the sense of sight. |