MATSEC IM Art key terms

A basic visual component used to build and describe any artwork, such as line, shape, form, colour, texture, space or value. Artists combine these building blocks to create images and compositions.

A mark made by a moving point, such as a drawn stroke or the edge where two shapes meet. Lines may be straight, curved, thick, thin, broken or implied.

A flat, enclosed area defined by an edge, outline or change of colour. Shapes are two-dimensional and may be geometric, like circles and squares, or organic and irregular.

A three-dimensional object or the illusion of one, having height, width and depth. Sculpture is actual form, while shading can suggest form on a flat surface.

The lightness or darkness of a colour or tone, ranging from white through greys to black. Value creates contrast, suggests light and shadow, and helps build the illusion of form.

The surface quality of an object as felt or seen, such as rough, smooth, prickly or soft. Actual texture can be touched; simulated texture is drawn or painted to look real.

The visual quality produced by different wavelengths of light, described by hue, value and intensity. Colour can be mixed from primaries and arranged on a colour wheel.

The name of a colour family on the colour wheel, such as red, blue or yellow-green, regardless of how light or dark it is. Hue is distinct from value and saturation.

The purity or strength of a colour, meaning how vivid or muted it appears. Adding grey or a complementary colour reduces saturation, making a hue duller and less intense.

Colours that cannot be mixed from others and are used to create other colours. In traditional painting they are red, yellow and blue; in light they are red, green and blue.

Colours made by mixing two primary colours in equal amounts. In painting these are orange (red and yellow), green (yellow and blue) and violet (blue and red).

Colours made by mixing a primary colour with a neighbouring secondary colour on the colour wheel, producing names such as red-orange or blue-green. There are six in the traditional wheel.

Two colours placed opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red and green. Placed side by side they create strong contrast; mixed together they neutralise each other.

A circular diagram arranging hues by their mixing relationships. It shows primaries, secondaries and tertiaries and helps artists choose harmonious or contrasting colour schemes.

A way of grouping colours by the sensations they suggest. Reds, oranges and yellows feel warm and advancing; blues, greens and violets feel cool and receding.

The area around, between and within objects, or the illusion of depth on a flat surface. Artists organise space to create foreground, middle ground and background.

Positive space is occupied by the main subject or shapes; negative space is the empty area around them. Both are designed together, and negative space can itself form recognisable shapes.

The arrangement of visual elements within a frame or on a surface. A good composition guides the viewer's eye, balances the parts and communicates the artist's intention.

A compositional guide that divides the picture into a grid of nine equal parts. Placing key features along the grid lines or at their intersections often produces a balanced, dynamic image.

The area of an artwork that first attracts the viewer's attention. Artists create it through contrast, placement, isolation, sharp detail or directional lines.

The distribution of visual weight in a composition so that no part feels overpowering. Balance may be symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial, and can also be achieved through colour and texture.

A balanced arrangement in which one half mirrors the other across an axis or around a centre. Symmetry is common in architecture, portraiture and decorative design.

The degree of difference between neighbouring elements, such as light and dark, rough and smooth, or complementary hues. Strong contrast creates energy and emphasis; weak contrast creates subtlety.

The way an artist makes one part of a work stand out more than the rest. It is achieved through contrast, size, placement, colour intensity or directional lines.

A sense of movement created by the repeated arrangement of elements such as lines, shapes or colours. Regular rhythm feels calm; varied rhythm feels lively and dynamic.

A repeated or regular arrangement of motifs, shapes or colours. Patterns may be decorative, as in textiles, or used structurally to organise a composition.

A system for showing three-dimensional depth on a flat surface. Linear perspective uses converging lines and vanishing points; other methods include overlapping, size change and atmospheric effects.

The point on the horizon where parallel lines appear to meet in a perspective drawing. One-point and two-point perspective each use different numbers of vanishing points.

The eye-level line in a perspective drawing, marking where the ground appears to meet the sky. It determines the viewer's viewpoint and the placement of vanishing points.

A technique for suggesting depth by making distant objects paler, bluer, less detailed and lower in contrast than nearby ones. It mimics the effect of the atmosphere on the landscape.

The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to model form and create drama. The technique is associated with Renaissance and Baroque painting.

The gradual application of darker and lighter tones to suggest light, shadow and three-dimensional form. Common techniques include hatching, cross-hatching, stippling and blending.

The material or substance an artist uses, such as oil paint, watercolour, charcoal, clay or digital pixels. The word can also refer to the type of artwork, such as painting or sculpture.

The particular way an artist handles a medium, such as brushwork, carving, glazing or collage. Technique affects the surface, texture and expressive character of the work.

Paint applied thickly so that it stands up from the surface and shows brush or palette-knife marks. It creates actual texture and is characteristic of artists such as Van Gogh.

A category of subject matter in art, such as portrait, landscape, still life, history painting or everyday scenes. The term also describes paintings of ordinary domestic life.

An artwork depicting inanimate objects such as fruit, flowers, vessels or food, arranged by the artist. It allows close study of form, colour, texture and composition.

A representation of a particular person, usually focusing on the face and expression. Portraits may record likeness, status, character or the artist's own identity in a self-portrait.

A structured discussion analysing and judging an artwork using evidence from the work itself. It typically describes, analyses, interprets and evaluates, using appropriate art vocabulary.