Vocabulary

• CHIAROSCURO


  An Italian word designating the relative contrast of dark and light in a drawing, painting or print
• COMPOSITION


  The placement of line, shape, colour and value in a work of art; basically the total design
• CONTOUR LINES


  The lines that define the edge between two shapes, whether negative or positive
• CONTRAST


  A line, shape, colour or value that differs from those which are dominant in the work
• FORESHORTENING


  Perspective on the human body; the study of how proportions change as the body moves from a standing position
• FORM


  A three-dimensional object or the representation of a three-dimensional object, defined by contour, height, depth, and width
• GESTURE


  A bodily motion or posture intended to express or emphasise expression
• LINE


  A mark on a surface, usually created by a pen, pencil, or brush
• LINEAR PERSPECTIVE


  The way we show objects in proportion to one another as they recede to a distant point
• NEGATIVE SPACE


  The empty space that surrounds and defines a form or shape in an artwork
• POSITIVE SPACE


  The space that a form or shape occupies in an artwork
• PROPORTION


  The way we show objects in relation to one another; size, shape, etc.
• SKETCH


  A rapid drawing or painting
• SHADING


  A way of showing gradual changes in lightness or darkness in a drawing or painting
• SHAPE


  A two-dimensional figure created by connecting actual or implied lines that enclose an area of space
• TONE / VALUE


  The relative lightness or darkness of something
• VANISHING POINT


  The point on the horizon line where parallel lines appear to vanish
• VALUE SCALE


  A series of blocks showing the gradual increase of shading