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Key Concepts in Art

ART - Subject Specific Key Concepts

 

Subject

Concept lens’

Explanation

ART

line

Short or continuous marks made using a variety of tools. Line can define the edge of a contour or shape and can be straight, curved, broken or continuous, thick or thin. Lines can be used to represent texture and form by hatching and cross hatching.

 

shape

Shape is created by enclosing a space using an outline. The shape of an object or geometric pattern and the shape between objects.

 

form

Description of 3D shape, form has volume and occupies space, it can be regular e.g. a cube or sphere or irregular e.g. a stone, shell or a fir cone.

 

space

The unlimited 3-dimensional expanse in which all objects are located. The distance between two points. The illusion of space can be created through the use of colour, tone, linear perspective and scale.

 

colour

We are surrounded by colour – take a look! There are three primary colours red, blue and yellow. They can be used to mix secondary colours: green, purple and orange.

 

tone

Differences in light and dark, tint or shade of colour to show effect of light on colour and form. Lighter tones or tints can be made by adding black to a colour.

 

texture

Describes how something feels, the surface quality of an object. Rough, smooth, hard, soft, prickly, spikey, furry.

 

pattern

The arrangement of shapes, natural and man-made, decorative design on surface. (Zebra, tiger, daisy [petals, brickwork, wallpaper, wrapping paper, fabric designs, patterns from other cultures).