Monday, May 19, 2014

final exam review 2014


Digital Art final exam
Study guide rev 4_19_14

Artwork: A work of art, artwork, art piece, or art object is an aesthetic item or artistic creation. The term "a work of art" can apply to:
            an example of fine art, such as a painting or sculpture
            a fine work of architecture or landscape design
            a photograph, film or visual computer program
            a work of conceptual art or performance art
            a production of live performance, such as theater, ballet or opera
            an interactive game

Still life: A  work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural (food, flowers, plants, rocks, or shells) or man-made (drinking glasses, books, vases, jewelry, coins, pipes, and so on).

Composition: The act of organizing the elements of an artwork into a harmoniously unified whole.

The Art Elements

Line: a line is a path left by a moving point
What are the functions of line?
1. to outline a shape
2. to create movement and emphasis
3. to develop pattern and texture
4. to shade and model using hatching, crosshatching and stippling.

Shape: a two dimensional area with identifiable boundaries.
Geometric shapes: mechanically drawn lines, squares, rectangles, circles.
Organic shapes: shapes based on forms of nature, which are usually rounded, irregular and curving.

Value: the lightness or darkness of a color
Tint is adding white to color paint to create lighter values such as light blue or pink.
Shade is adding black to paint to create dark values such as dark blue or dark red.


Space: An art element that indicates areas between, around, above, below, or within something.
Negative space: The space NOT occupied by and object or figure, but circulating in and around it.
Positive space: The enclosed areas or objects in an artwork.

Color: an art element that indicates natural and manufactured objects as being red, yellow, green or any other name that identifies their hues. Hue is another name for color.

Primary colors are red, yellow and blue. Secondary colors are made by mixing primaries together.

Red + yellow = orange
Red + blue = violet or purple
Blue + yellow = green


Principles of Design
Balance: a principle of design that refers to the equalization of elements in a work of art. There are three types of balance
Asymmetrical-balance in which one side of the composition appears  different from the other side while remaining   balanced with it.
Symmetrical- balance in which both sides are identical.
Radial-balance based on a circle, with features radiating from a central point.

Contrast: a principle of design that refers to differences in values, colors, textures, and other elements in artwork to  achieve emphasis and interest.

Emphasis: a principle of design by which the artist or designer may use opposing sizes or shapes, contrasting colors, or other means to place greater attention on certain areas or objects in a work of art. Emphasis is given to an area within the design because that area is meant to be seen or is more important to be noticed when compared to other places of the design. Emphasis creates a center of interest. Emphasis is achieved by dominance  and subordination, bright against dull, light on dark, large among small, etc.

Movement: a principle of design that refers to the arrangement of parts in artwork to create a flow of the viewer’s eye  through the repeated arrangement of line, shape, color, texture or value; through the orderly positioning of objects;  through contrasting positive and negative shapes; through contrasting sizes; or through gradation of colors and values.

Pattern: a principle of design in which combinations of lines, colors, and shapes are repeated. These repetitions create rhythm in a work of art. Pattern is a two-dimensional decorative visual repetition. Motif is a unit that is repeated in visual rhythm (suggest movement through repetition). Units in a motif may or may not be an exact duplicate of the first unit.

Unity: a principle of design that refers to a sense of wholeness or oneness in an artwork. In other words, all the parts look  like they belong together. Unity involves the co-ordination of all these parts to communicate the idea of the artwork.

No  one element in a design is an entity in itself. Each element is positioned and organized to contribute to the harmony  and unity of the total design.

Unity requires varying emphases so that the design has dominant and subordinate parts. 

Unity may be achieved by repetition of color, texture, value, shape, and/or line; by similarity-the colors, shapes or textures  all resemble each other; and by grouping or overlapping visual elements.

Be able to:
1. Create simple drawings that:
a. show a variety of lines, pattern, a strong center of interest created by using emphasis
b. show organic and geometric shapes
c. illustrate a color wheel and identifies primary and secondary colors

2. Write an essay explaining how to create emphasis in a work of art.