Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Visual arts

Projecting Points and Shapes

Projecting points onto a plane involves rays passing through the points and intersecting the plane. These intersections are called projections. Projecting a shape involves projecting its vertices.

Projection Systems

There are two main systems of projection:

Perspective Projection

When the rays originate from a single point, the system is called perspective projection. The resulting shape is proportionally smaller or larger.

Parallel Projection

When the rays are parallel, the system is called parallel projection. The resulting shape is congruent (same shape and size). There are two variations:

1. Oblique Projection: The rays are oblique to the projection plane.

2. Orthographic Projection: The rays are perpendicular to the projection

Understanding Comics and Cartoons

Cartoons are simple drawings that are often humorous, sometimes satirical, and can be informative. A comic book is a small book or magazine that focuses on pictures to tell a story, rather than just words. If the picture is funny, we are usually talking about a cartoon. If there are multiple pictures with a more realistic style, we are referring to a comic strip or a comic book.

When we have a single image, it is used for recognition and information, like the non-verbal cartoon signs for “walk” and “don’t walk.”

Newspapers frequently feature jokes and stories presented as “comic strips” (a series of drawings).

There is a key difference between cartoon illustration and animated cartoons. Animated cartoons... Continue reading "Understanding Comics and Cartoons: Creation & Design" »

1. The Hero

• Definition: The central figure who typically exhibits goodness and fights adversity to restore harmony and justice.
• Examples:
  • Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series
  • Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games
  • Luke Skywalker from Star Wars
  • Wonder Woman from DC Comics

2. The Mentor

• Definition: Provides guidance, training, and sometimes magical gifts to the hero.
• Examples:
  • Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings
  • Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series
  • Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid
  • Yoda from Star Wars

3. The Threshold Guardian

• Definition: Tests the hero before they face great challenges; this figure can sometimes become an ally.
• Examples:
  • The Sphinx from Greek mythology
  • Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series
  • The White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia
  • Dr.

• Spatial Prepositions

  • Above [PREP]: If something is above something else, it is in a higher position.
  • Across From [PREP]: If something is across from something else, it is on the other or opposite side.
  • Below [PREP]: If something is below something else, it is in a lower position than that thing.
  • Between [ADV]: If something is between other things, it is in the middle or separating one thing from another.
  • Close [ADJ]: If you are close to something, it is a short distance away from that thing.
  • Far [ADV]: If something is or goes far from something, it is a long distance away from that thing.
  • Lower [ADJ]: It is below something else.
  • Near [ADV]: If something is near something else, it is a short distance away from it.
  • Next To [PREP]: If something is next

Verb Tenses

Past Simple

Structure: Subject + Verb (past form or -ed) or 3rd column; Negative: didn't + base form.

Uses: Completed actions in the past (with expressions like last, ago, yesterday, in 1992).

Past Continuous

Structure: was/were + verb-ing.

Uses: Actions in progress in the past; Past Continuous + when + Past Simple or Past Continuous + while + Past Continuous.

Past Perfect

Structure: had + past participle (verb-ed or 3rd column).

Uses: An action that happened before another action in the past (with expressions like after, before).

Future Simple (Will)

Structure: will + base form.

Uses: Weather, promises, future predictions, spontaneous decisions.

To Be Going To

Structure: is/am/are + going to + base form.

Uses: Future plans.

Present Simple

Uses:

1. Additive Color Mixtures (Light)

We can derive all colors from three primary colors of light: Red, Green, and Blue (RGB).

An additive mixture is created when colored lights are mixed, because we are adding light energy each time. Mixing two primary colors results in secondary colors:

• Blue Light + Green Light = Cyan Light
• Green Light + Red Light = Yellow Light
• Blue Light + Red Light = Magenta Light

When combining all three primary colors of light, the result is white light.

Color Descriptions in Additive Systems

In this context, blue refers to a more blue-violet color; red is often a red-orange; magenta is similar to fuchsia pink; and cyan is a bright blue.

2. Subtractive Color Mixtures (Pigments)

Color pigments, such as the paints used on paper, are... Continue reading "Fundamentals of Color Theory: Light and Pigment Mixing" »

Essential Travel Vocabulary

Building Vocabulary

• Bathing suit = Traje de baño
• Sandals = Sandalias
• Towel = Toalla
• Tent = Carpa
• Insect repellent = Repelente de insecto
• Sleeping bag = Saco de dormir
• Pair of scissors = Tijeras
• First aid kit
• Brush = Cepillo
• Hair dryer = Secador
• Makeup = Maquillaje
• Shampoo
• Soap = Jabón
• Toothbrush = Cepillo de diente
• Sunscreen = Bloqueador
• Batteries = Baterías
• Razor = Máquina de afeitar
• Flashlight = Linterna

Living Spaces

• Living room: Lamp, end table, cushions, sofa, rug, coffee table, armchair
• Bedroom: Clock, nightstand, curtains, carpet, dresser
• Kitchen: Microwave, stove (cocina), oven (horno), cabinets, faucet (lava plato)
• Bathroom: Mirror, sink (lavamano), toilet, shower, bathtub (tina)

Essential Grammar

Order of Adjectives

Opinion,... Continue reading "Essential Travel Vocabulary and Grammar for Beginners" »

Gothic Art: Origins and Characteristics

Gothic Art flourished from the middle of the 12^th century until the 15^th century, and in some places, the 16^th century. This style of Medieval art originated in France, evolving out of the Romanesque style.

Gothic art was strongly criticized in the 15^th century. It was initially criticized by French authors before becoming a recognized form of art, and the terminology became fixed. The word “Gothic” for art is synonymous with “barbaric” and was used pejoratively. Art critics then taught it was undefined and too remote. Gothic was also known as “Opus Modernum.” The term “Gothic” was first coined for architecture.

Gothic Architecture: Lightness and Structural Grace

Gothic architecture moved... Continue reading "Gothic Art and Architecture: Medieval Style Innovations" »

Essential Vocabulary: Clothing and Fashion

• Summer wardrobe
• Finest silk cloth (tela)
• Garment (prenda)
• Their clothes were soaked
• Items of clothing (ropa)
• Sports kit
• Leisure wear
• Evening, formal dress/attire
• New outfit for the party

Style and Design

• Style
• Designer label (etiqueta)
• Classic design
• Brand loyalty
• Bearing their logo
• Recognizable pattern

Adjusting Clothes

• Let out: Make clothes larger
• Take in: Make clothes smaller
• Let down: Make clothes longer
• Take up: Make clothes shorter

Changing Clothes

• Dress up: Wear smart clothes
• Dress down: Wear casual clothes
• Change into: Replace one set of clothes with another
• Change out of: Replace one set of clothes with another
• Wrap up: Put on warm clothes
• Slip on: Put on clothes quickly and easily
• Slip off: Take off clothes quickly and

Essay Writing Structure (140-190 Words)

Essay Structure

1. Introduce the topic briefly and pose a rhetorical question.
2. Develop the main argument (Point 1).
3. Introduce a contrasting viewpoint (e.g., "On the other hand").
4. Conclude with your personal opinion.

Useful Essay Phrases

• Some people claim that...
• It's often said that...
• However, ...
• Firstly, ...
• To clarify the point, ...
• From my point of view, ...
• It seems clear to me that...
• Lastly, ...

Informal Letter Writing (140-190 Words)

Informal Letter Structure

1. Greeting (e.g., Hi [Name]...).
2. Reference the previous email/contact and provide short details.
3. Share your news and respond to their points.
4. Ask interesting questions for the recipient.
5. Discuss when you will meet again.
6. Closing (e.g., All the best, [Your Name]).

Useful