Writing about visual arts requires you to use a number of jargon or specialised words which you might not be familar with. This list should help you to get to grips with the language of visual arts:
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is concerned with making judgements about art. Examining the nature and value of art, asking what is and what is not art, how do we judge the quality and worth of art?
Annotate
Adding short notes to an art work, your sketchbook or portfolio to explain its meaning or purpose. Annotation may also explain the media used or the composition etc.
Asymmetry
A type of balance in which the parts of an art work are unequal in size, shape, etc., but still produce a balanced, pleasing visual effect
Background
That part of a composition that appears to be furthest away from the viewer
Balance
A principle of design; a feeling of balance results when the elements of a design are arranged to create the impression of equality in weight or importance
Collage
A form of art where a variety of materials (e.g. photographs, fabric, objects) are glued or fixed to a flat background
Colour
An element of design. Colour is the particular hue that is seen when light is reflected off an object
Colour wheel
A tool for organizing colours and representing relationships between them
Complementary colours
Colours that are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel (e.g., red and green, blue and orange, yellow and purple)
Composition
The organization of the elements of design in an art work
Concept
Someone’s idea of how something is, or how something should be done. The main purpose of conceptual art is to illustrate an idea.
Contextual
Relating to a particular situation or event. Contextual information helps you to understand the production and purpose of an artwork.
Cool colours
Colours that suggest a cool temperature (blue for example)
Deconstruct
A method used in the criticism of art claiming that there is no single explanation of the meaning of an artwork.
Design
The general form or composition of any work of art. The planning of the visual elements of an artwork in order to solve particular spatial or visual problems.
Dimension
A term used to describe an object's existence in space. A two-dimensional object has length and width; paintings, drawings and prints for example. A three-dimensional object has length, width, and depth; solid objects such as sculpture.
Elements of design
These are the fundamental components of art works and include colour, line, texture, shape, form, and space
Emphasis
A design principle where special importance is given to one part of the art work. Emphasis is achieved by placement, contrast, size and so on
Focal point
The element or object in a work of art on which the viewer's attention is focused
Foreground
The area of a picture that appears closest to the viewer. It is often at the bottom of the picture plane. (In this photograph the houses are in the foreground.)
Form
A design element. Form is a sculptural or three-dimensional shape (cube, pyramid, sphere etc.)
Geometric shape
A shape based upon geometric figures (square, circle, triangle etc.)
Horizon line
The "line" at which the sky and the earth appear to meet
Hue
The common name of a colour: red, blue, yellow etc.
Inspire
Give someone the idea for an artwork and motivate them to complete it.
Layout
Simply the way in which something is arranged.
Line
A design element. A line may be defined as the path left by a moving point such as a pen, pencil or brush.
Logo
A symbolic form that identifies organizations, products, etc.
Media
The plural of medium, medium being any material used by an artist to produce a work of art (paint, charcoal etc.)
Middle ground
The area in a picture between the foreground and background
Mixed media
Any art work in which more than one medium is used
Monochromatic colour scheme
A monochromatic colour scheme is derived from a single base colour which has been extended using its shades and tints. (In other words, a colour modified by the addition of black and white).
Movement
A design principle. Movement is the way in which the elements of design are organized so that the viewer's eye is led through the work of art in a systematic way. In this photograph movement is suggested by the slight blurring of the image and the converging lines of the road drawing the viewer’s eye from the foreground to the background.
Negative space
The void or open areas around an object or form
Perspective
A technique used to create the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface. There are three types of perspective; the first of these is linear perspective, which involves the use of parallel lines that appear to converge as their distance from the viewer increases. Secondly, there is diminishing perspective, in which objects appear to diminish in size as their distance from the viewer increases. And thirdly, there is atmospheric perspective, which is produced by the gradual lessening of the intensity of colour and the reducing of detail as the distance between an object and the viewer increases
Organic shapes or forms
Forms based upon natural objects, they are non-geometric or free- flowing
Principles of design
Guidelines used by artists to organize the visual elements of their work. They include balance, emphasis, rhythm, unity, movement, variety, harmony, and proportion
Primary colours
The three colours (red, yellow, and blue) that cannot be created by mixing other colours, but that can be mixed to produce all the other colours.
Proportion
A design principle describing the relationship between objects with reference to their size, number etc.
Reproduce
Make a copy of something
Rhythm
A design principle involving the repetition of elements to create the illusion of movement. There is rhythm in the flow of water in a river bed, or movement may be suggested by curving branches and tree roots.
Secondary colours
Colours created by mixing the primary colours. Orange, green and purple are secondary colours.
Shade
A colour with a certain amount of black added
Sketch
A rough, preliminary version of a composition.
Space
A design element. Space is the area around, within, or between images or elements. Space can be created on a two-dimensional surface by using such techniques as overlapping of objects, varying of object size or placement, varying of colour intensity and value, and use of detail
Style
The artist's way of representing something. The choice and use of materials, methods of work, subject matter and so on reflect the style of an individual, a culture, or a historical period
Symmetry
A type of balance in which parts or elements are equal in size or shape, or in some other attribute
Technique
A method or procedure used in producing a work of art
Texture
A design element. Texture is the feel or appearance of an object or material
Tint
A colour with a certain amount of white added
Unity
A design principle. Unity is the coherence of a work giving the viewer the feeling that all of the parts are working together
Value
The lightness or darkness of a colour
Vanishing point
In perspective drawing, the point on the horizon line where converging parallel lines appear to meet
Variety
A design principle involving the use of differences or contrasts to add interest to a work
Warm colours
Colours that suggest a warm temperature (especially reds, yellows and oranges)