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

Key Characteristics of Common Minerals

Mineral Identification Data Table

ABSTRACTION: A contemporary art movement that bases its aesthetic effect on pure color, pure form, and pure quality, with no figurative or imitative purpose of reality.
WATERCOLOR: Painting in which pigment is mixed with a water-soluble binder, usually gum arabic.
Still Life: A painting, usually of small size, that represents only inanimate objects: pieces of game, fruit baskets, flowers, pots, bread, and vegetables, etc.
CHIASCURO: A term that refers to the effects of light and shade in an artistic work, particularly when they are very contrasting.
LOCAL COLOR: Color without hue, defined in a very concrete manner.
Tone Color: The one that displays any of the variants in which sunlight breaks down or a mixture of two or more colors.
Primary

Visual Elements: Point, Line and Texture

The point is the smallest visual element. It is a shape and size; this configuration has texture and color as an expressive element. A point can be organized into groups with volume effects and textures.

The line is another basic element of visual expression and is defined as the mark that traces a point across a surface. It produces vertical lines of balance and lifting, while the horizontal produces a visual sensation of calm and relaxation.

Level is defined by its shape, size, color, direction and texture. Contrast, color, size and texture produce overlays and perceptual differences.

Texture is the appearance of a plastic surface: natural texture is present on the surface of elements of nature; structure... Continue reading "Visual Elements and Color Theory Fundamentals" »

Early Christian Art Characteristics

Painting

Graffiti on the walls of the catacombs, primarily religious in nature.

Christian Iconography and Symbols

• The Good Shepherd
• Dove of Peace
• Peacock
• Lamb
• Christ the Redeemer
• The Ship (Church)
• The Anchor Fish (Ichthys)

Colors and Materials

Colors: Vivid, highlighted in decoration on roofs, domes, and walls.

Sculpture: Images usually represented: The Good Shepherd and Virgins.

Topics/Materials: Sarcophagi and funerary urns made of wood and marble.

Architecture

Construction of the Basilica, consisting of:

1. Atrium
2. Rectangular room

Byzantine Art

Architecture

1. Grandeur and scale.
2. Introduction of the dome on pendentives; pyramidal capitals.
3. Greek cross basilica plan.
4. Mosaic decoration (musuvaria).

Themes: Christian themes. Materials:

Types of Map Projections by Preserved Dimension

1. Equidistant Projections
These projections preserve distances along specific directions, typically along straight lines known as automecoic lines. Linear deformation occurs in other directions. The linear anamorphosis, calculated as the ratio of the projected distance to the true distance, equals 1 along automecoic lines. Equidistant projections are useful for measuring distances from a central point.
2. Conformal Projections
These projections preserve angles between intersecting curves and lines. The angular anamorphosis represents the difference between the angle on the sphere and the corresponding angle on the map. Conformal projections are commonly used for nautical charts, often employing parallel... Continue reading "Map Projections: Dimensions, Geometry, and Classifications" »

Donatello's David: A Renaissance Icon

Despite being a biblical character, Donatello's *David* is interpreted from a perspective consistent with the humanist view of the new times. David represents the triumph of logic and reason over the brute force symbolized by Goliath. This theme was highly favored in the Renaissance.

This is a freestanding sculpture, made in the round using bronze, and therefore created with the lost-wax casting technique. It represents a pensive teenager in a curious composition. He has Goliath's head at his feet and blatantly rests on his right leg, while curving his body to the left, smoothly forming an 'S' curve, in accordance with the classical model of Praxiteles.

The composition is in *contrapposto*. The body sways... Continue reading "Donatello's Masterpieces: David and Gattamelata Sculptures" »

Tangencies

Making Tangents

Two Circles

• External Tangents: Draw another circle concentric to the larger one with radius R - r. Join the centers. This is the bisector. Draw an auxiliary circle to the centers. Join the center with the points of intersection with the smaller circumference and extend. Where the lines intersect the larger circle will be the tangent points. Parallels are drawn to the smaller circle to find all points of contact.
• Internal Tangents: The process is the same, except that the circle is of radius R + r, and the parallels are drawn to the opposite side.

Tangent to a Circle Passing Through Point P

• If the tangent is to be external, a concentric circle of radius R + r is drawn. From P, an arc of radius R is drawn, which intersects

Orthogonal projections and principal views

Usually called the principal views of an object, these are the orthogonal projections of the object onto six planes arranged as faces of a cube. They can also be described as the orthogonal projections of an object according to the different directions from which you view it. The rules that govern the representation of the views of an object are included in UNE 1-032-82, "Technical drawings: General principles of representation," which is equivalent to ISO 128-82.

Name of views

How the six views are obtained

If we place an observer according to the six directions indicated by the arrows, we obtain six possible views of an object.

Name and common terms for each view

These views have the following denominations:... Continue reading "Orthogonal Projections and Principal Views in Technical Drawing" »

Visible Spectrum

Visible spectrum is the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can perceive. Electromagnetic radiation in this range of wavelengths is called visible light, or simply light. There are no precise boundaries in the visible spectrum. A typical human eye responds to wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm, although some people may perceive wavelengths from 380 to 780 nm. The colors of the visible spectrum and their infinite possibilities of mixing can be represented mathematically.

CIE Chromaticity Triangle

The CIE chromaticity diagram (often shown as a triangle) arranges all colors using three chromaticity coordinates x, y, z, which satisfy x + y + z = 1. This means any color or mixture of colors can be defined from two... Continue reading "Visible Light Spectrum, Color Models and Color Temperature" »

Elements of Visual Composition

Visual elements are fundamental components that help us represent shapes, compose designs, and create a sense of volume.

The Point in Art and Design

Characteristics of the Point

The point is often considered the simplest visual element, typically formed where two lines intersect. While often imagined as small and round, a point can have an irregular shape depending on the material used. Points can be employed to create a sense of chiaroscuro and depth.

Expressive Value of the Point

Its color and texture can also be altered within a composition to enhance expressiveness. In a composition, a point placed centrally conveys a sense of balance. Moving it away from the center, however, creates a feeling of movement and instability.... Continue reading "Understanding Fundamental Visual Elements in Design" »