Vocabulary

abstract art	a style of art that shows objects, people, and/or places in simplified arrangements of shape, line, texture and color, often geometrical. Sometimes abstract refers to non- objective art.
Abstract Expressionism	a twentieth-century painting style that tries to express feelings and emotions through slashing, active brush strokes. Often called Action Painting.
aerial perspective	a way of drawing that shows depth in space by such methods as overlapping objects, using lighter values for more distant objects, using less detail in distant objects and using warm colors for nearer items.
anatomy	the structure of the human body (can also mean the structure of animals or plants). Anatomical drawing often shows such details as muscle and bones.
architect	a person who develops plans for buildings, groups of buildings, communities, etc.
architecture	the design of buildings, such as homes, offices, schools, industrial structures.
asymmetrical balance	a type of visual balance in which one side of the composition appears different than the other side while remaining balanced with it. Visually equal without being identical.
Avant Garde Art	the style of contemporary art in any period of time. It is the newest form of visual expression, and farthest from the traditional ways of working.
balance	a principle of design that refers to the equalization of elements in a work of art. There are three kinds of balance: symmetrical (formal), asymmetrical (informal), and radial.
Baroque	a period of time and style of art (1600's) that stressed swirling action, large works of art and elaborate detail and richness, even in drawing.
Bauhaus	a German art school, begun in 1918, that stressed science and technology as major resources for art and architecture.
bister (or bistre)	a brownish pigment (color) made from the soot of burned word, used as an ink and in wash drawings.
block out materials	materials such as rubber cement, Miskit, and Maskoid that block the application of pigments from certain areas of the background. later, they are rubbed away, leaving an underneath layer or the background exposed in those areas.
broad strokes	using the sides of drawing materials (charcoal, graphite, crayons, pastels) to make wide markings on paper.
calligraphy	is really handwriting, but, in drawing, refers to lines that have the quality of beautiful handwriting (calligraphic lines) and/or brushed lines that are similar to Oriental writing.
caricature	a drawing (usually of a person) which exaggerates selected characteristics of the subject (such as a prominent chin, large eyes, etc.). Often the drawings are humorous.
cartoon	a full-sized drawing or pattern for another work of art, such as a mural, fresco, mosaic or tapestry
cross contour hatching	shading using parallel curved lines
cross hatching	shading using crossed parallel straight lines
hard edge	refers to a style of art in which the artist uses crisp, clean edges and applies the values or colors so that they are even and flat.
hatching	shading using closely spaced straight lines
horizontal	a line or shape that lies down and is parallel to the top and bottom edges of the paper.
horizontal line	an actual or imaginary line that runs across the work defining the place where sky and earth come together.
hue	the name of a color, such as yellow, yellow-orange, blue- violet, green, etc.
Impressionism	a style of drawing and painting (1875 and following) begun in France, which stresses an off-hand (candid) glimpse of the subject, and an emphasis on the momentary effects of light on color.
landscape	a work of art that shows the features of the natural environment (trees, lakes, mountains, flowers, etc.).
line	an element of design that may be two-dimensional (pen- cil on paper), three-dimensional (wire or rope), or implied (the edge of a shape or form).
linear perspective	a system of drawing to give the illusion of depth on a flat surface. All straight, parallel lines receding into the distance are drawn to one or more vanishing points in such a drawing.
logo	a visual design which symbolizes and stands for a com- pany, industry or individual. It usually (but not always) uses letters, numbers or some recognizable visual element.
manuscript illumination	the decorative drawing and painting that filled the illustrated pages of handwritten books in the Middle Ages.
mixed media	a two-dimensional art technique that uses more than one medium; for example, a crayon and watercolor drawing.
moiré	a wavelike pattern that develops when certain lines are overlapped. It occurs in some Op Art designs.
monochromatic	of only one color. Most drawings are mono- chromatic, using one color of ink or lead.
movement	a principle of design that refers to the arrangement of parts in a drawing to create a slow to fast flow of your eye through the work.
museum	a place in the community where art is collected and placed on view. Works belonging to the museum are not for sale, but are for study and enjoyment.
negative space	the area around the objects in a drawing or painting, often called the background.
nibs	pen points, used on pen holders which provide for the removal of tips.
non-objective art	art which has no recognizable subject mat- ter, such as trees, flowers or people. The real subject matter is the composition of the drawing or painting itself.
Op Art (Optical Art)	a style of art (middle of Twentieth Century) that uses optical (visual) illusions of many types. These works of art are composed to confuse, heighten or expand visual sensations.
opaque	the quality of a material that will not let light pass through. The opposite of transparent.
optical mixing	mixing takes place in the eyes
organic	free form, or a quality that resembles living things. The opposite of mechanical or geometric.
Oriental papers	handmade papers from the Orient that have an absorbant quality that makes them useful for certain drawing, collage techniques and printmaking. There are many types, some having fascinating textures.
painterly	quality that quality of a work of art that allows brush strokes to show and lets us see that it is really a painting.
papyrus	a paper-Iike material (made from the papyrus plant) that was used as a writing and drawing surface in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.
pattern	a principle of design in which combinations of lines, colors and shapes are used to show real or imaginary things. It may also be achieved by repeating a shape, line or color.
perspective drawing	a method of drawing on a flat surface (which is two dimensional) to give the illusion of depth, or the third dimension.
pigment	the coloring material used in painting and drawing media. Pigments may be natural (from earth, plant dyes, etc.) or from laboratory prepared chemicals.
Pop Art	a style of art that features the everyday, popular things around us. A drawing of a large Coke bottle might be considered Pop Art.
portrait	a piece of art work featuring a person, several people or an animal. Portraits are usually facial, but can also be full figure.
positive space	the objects in a work of art, as opposed to the background or area around the objects.
Post-Impressionism	the style of art that immediately followed the Impressionists, in France. Paul Cezanne was a leader of this style which stressed more substantial subjects and methods than those used by the Impressionists.
preliminary sketch	a planning sketch, usually on a smaller scale, to determine the basic arrangement of a design or larger work of art.
proportion	a comparative size relationship between several objects or between the parts of a single object or person. In drawing, for example, watch for the correct relationship of the size of head and body.
radial balance	a design based on a circle with the features radiating from a central point.
Realism	a style of art that attempts to realistically show actual places, people or objects. It stresses actual colors, textures, shadows and arrangements.
reed pens	pens made from natural materials, such as reeds or bamboo shoots, which are carved to a point.
refraction	the change in appearance or the visual distortion that often occurs when objects are viewed partly through water, glass or other transparent media. A spoon half in and half out of water may appear bent.
relief	the raised parts of a surface which are often noticeable by the feeling of texture.
Renaissance	a period of time (1400-1600) following the Mid- dle Ages that featured an emphasis on human beings and their environment and on science and philosophy. A renewal of Greek and Roman thinking regarding art and humanity.
rendering	the careful and complete drawing of an object, place or person, to make it appear realistic.
representational drawing	the drawing of objects, people or places in such a way that they can be recognized for what they are.
rhythm	a principle of design that indicates a type of movement in an artwork or design, often by repeated shapes or colors.
rice paper	same as Oriental paper. Rococo a style of art (1700'5) following the Baroque, which featured decorative and elegant themes and style.
Romanticism	a style of painting (middle Nineteenth Century) that featured adventure, action, imagination and an interest in foreign happenings and people.
rubbings	a technique that transfers the textural quality of a surface to paper by placing the paper over the textured surface and rubbing the top of the paper with a crayon, pencil, etc.
seascape	a drawing or painting that features some part of the sea as subject matter. It often refers to a coastal environment.
sepia	a brown pigment (originally obtained from the secretion of cuttlefish) used as ink or in wash drawings. It is also the name of a brownish hue.
set-up	a group of objects which are arranged to be drawn or painted. A still life grouping.
sgraffito	the process of scratching lines into the surface of a work of art in order to expose the surface underneath.
shading	using the drawing or painting medium to form dark- ened areas (shadows) that will help produce a feeling of space and depth.
shape	an element of design described as two dimensional and enclosing area. Shape can be divided into two basic classes: geometric (square, triangle, circle) and organic (irregular in outline).
silverpoint	a tool which has a point made of silver. It is drawn over an abrasive surface to create delicate lines which darken as they oxidize.
sketch	a quick drawing. One that catches the immediate feel- ing of action or the impression of a place. Probably not a completed dIawing, but one that may be a reference for later work.
sketch book	a book with blank pages in which students and artists record visual notes of many of the things they see and imagine.
space	an element of design that indicates areas In a drawing (positive and negative) and/or the feeling of depth in a two dimensional work of art.
spectrum	the complete range of color that is present in a band of light (and seen when that light is refracted through a prism). The colors of the rainbow.
still life	an arrangement of inanimate objects to draw or paint.
stippling	a drawing technique (usually done with pen and ink} in which dots are made to create shaded areas or textures.
structure	the constructive elements of a work of art, The underlying arrangement {foundation) of the parts of a com- position.
style	the distinctive character contained in the works of art, period of time or geographical location.
stylisation	to conform to a certain style or "look" which has developed in art.
subject matter	the things in a painting about which the artist is communicating.
subtle	in art, it is used to describe the delicate appearance or gradual change contained in the work of art. It is hardly noticeable, unless a person looks carefully.
Super Realism	a style of drawing and painting in the late Twentieth Century that emphasizes photographic realism. Many times the objects are greatly enlarged, yet keep their photographic appearance.
Surrealism	a style of twentieth-century painting in which the artists relate normally unrelated objects and situations. Often the scenes are dreamlike or set in unnatural surroundings.
symmetrical balance	a design in which both sides are identical.
technique	any method or system of working with materials. texture an element of design that refers to the surface quality as being rough, smooth, soft, etc. It can be actual or implied,
tooth	the textural "feel" or a sheet of paper. Charcoal paper has more tooth than smooth paper needed for pen and ink.
traditional art	any style of art that treats the subject matter in a natural (rather realistic) way. A style similar to those used for many years.
unity	a principle of design that relates to the sense of one- ness or wholeness in a work of art.
urban environment	refers to your surroundings when you are in a town or city.
value	an element of design that relates to the lightness and darkness of a color or shade.
vanishing point	in perspective drawing, an imaginary point or points on the eye level, toward which parallel lines recede, and will eventually meet.

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