TASC Visual Art Level 3 key terms

One of the basic visual building blocks used to make and describe artwork, such as line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space.

A guideline for arranging elements of art effectively, such as balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity.

A mark with length and direction, created by a moving point; it can be straight, curved, thick, thin, implied, or actual.

A flat, two-dimensional area enclosed or defined by edges, existing as geometric forms like squares or organic forms like puddles.

A three-dimensional object or the illusion of volume and depth in a two-dimensional work, having height, width, and depth.

The lightness or darkness of a color or tone, ranging from white through grays to black, used to show form and light.

The surface quality of an artwork, either actual (how it physically feels) or implied (how it appears to feel).

A circular diagram organizing hues by relationship, showing primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and their positions.

The name of a color family, such as red, blue, or yellow, independent of its lightness, darkness, or intensity.

The brightness or dullness of a color; a vivid hue has high intensity while a grayed hue has low intensity.

Pairs of colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, which create strong contrast when placed together.

The area occupied by the main subject or shapes in a composition, as opposed to the empty area around them.

The empty or surrounding area around and between subjects in a composition, which helps define the shapes of objects.

The area around, between, and within objects; in two-dimensional art it may be shown as shallow or deep illusion.

A principle describing the distribution of visual weight in a composition, which may be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

A principle that draws the viewer's attention to a focal point or important area through contrast, placement, size, or color.

The arrangement of opposite elements, such as light and dark or rough and smooth, to create visual interest and emphasis.

A principle describing how well the parts of an artwork work together to create a harmonious, complete whole.

The repeating of an element such as line, shape, or color to create a regular or irregular design across a surface.

A principle created by repeated elements that produce a sense of movement or beat, guiding the eye through a composition.

A principle that creates the appearance of action or directs the viewer's eye along paths through a composition.

A system for showing three-dimensional depth on a flat surface using horizon lines, vanishing points, and receding lines.

The part of a picture that appears closest to the viewer, usually placed at the bottom of the image and often larger in scale.

The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to model three-dimensional form and create dramatic depth in a picture.

A line that defines the outer edge or outline of a shape, describing its boundary rather than interior detail.

A quick, loose drawing that captures the movement, pose, and energy of a subject rather than precise detail.

A painting technique in which thick layers of paint are applied so the brush or knife marks stand out from the surface.

The material or method an artist uses, such as oil paint, watercolor, charcoal, clay, or digital software.

Artwork made by combining two or more materials or techniques, such as paint with collage, fabric, or found objects.

An artwork made by gluing cut or torn materials such as paper, photographs, and fabric onto a flat surface.

A process of transferring an image from a prepared surface such as wood, metal, or stone onto paper, often in multiple copies.

The total number of prints pulled from one printmaking matrix, usually numbered and signed by the artist.

A special high-temperature oven used to fire clay ceramics, hardening the clay and setting glazes.

A glassy coating applied to ceramic ware that fuses in the kiln, providing color, shine, and a watertight surface.

A European period from roughly the 14th to 16th centuries marked by renewed interest in classical art, realism, and perspective.

A late 19th-century French movement that used loose brushwork and light color to capture fleeting effects of light and atmosphere.

Art that departs from realistic depiction, using shape, color, line, and form to convey ideas or feelings rather than appearances.

Artwork with no recognizable subject matter, composed entirely of visual elements such as color, shape, and line.

An image or object that represents a larger idea or meaning beyond its literal appearance, often within a cultural tradition.

The study of the subject matter and symbols in art and the conventional meanings attached to them in a culture.

A structured analysis and evaluation of an artwork that considers description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment.

Examining how the elements of art and principles of design are used in a work to create its visual effects.

Relating to the nature of beauty and the sensory, emotional response a viewer has to a work of art.

The arrangement of visual elements within a work of art, including placement, scale, and relationships among parts.

The area of an artwork that first attracts and holds the viewer's attention, often created through contrast or placement.

A curated collection of an artist's work used to demonstrate skills, range, and growth for review or application.

A small-scale model or rough three-dimensional sketch made to plan a larger sculpture or installation before building.

A bound book of blank pages used by artists to record ideas, observations, studies, and planning notes over time.