Art Elements and Principles: English Vocabulary List

the area or object that is the primary focus of a work of art

"Positive space is the subject."

"Positive space is the area occupied by the main subject in an artwork or photograph."

the area around and between the subjects or objects in a work of art

"Negative space surrounds the object."

"Negative space is the empty area surrounding the main subject in an artwork or photograph."

the different techniques and methods artists use to create marks on a surface and it can range from precise and controlled to loose and expressive, conveying different emotions and meanings

"Mark making shows artist's hand."

"Mark making is the process of creating lines dots and marks on a surface."

the physical properties and qualities of materials used in the creation of art, including their texture, color, weight, transparency, and other characteristics

"Materiality affects artwork's feel."

"Materiality concerns the physical substances used to create an artwork such as paint clay or metal."

the quality or degree of being bright in color

"The brightness of the color."

"We adjusted the brightness on the screen."

the purity or vividness of a color, representing the degree to which it is free from white or gray

"Saturation makes colors bright."

"Saturation is the intensity or purity of a color ranging from dull to vivid."

the state of having characteristics, appearances, qualities, etc. that are very alike but not the same

"Similarity links visual elements."

"Similarity is the repetition of visual elements to create a sense of unity in a design."

a principle of design that refers to the visual flow and direction of a composition, created through the repetition and continuation of lines, shapes, colors, or other elements

"Continuation guides the eye."

"Continuation guides the viewer's eye smoothly from one element to the next across the artwork."

the quality of having two halves that are exactly the same, which are separated by an axis

"The butterfly has symmetry."

"The artist achieved perfect symmetry by dividing the canvas down the middle."

(geometry) a lack of symmetry or equivalence in shape or size between the two sides or parts of something

"The design's asymmetry made it interesting."

"The architect deliberately introduced asymmetry into the building's design for a unique aesthetic."

special importance given to something over other items or considerations

"Emphasis draws viewer attention."

"Emphasis draws the viewer's attention to the most important part of a design or artwork."