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

The Point: Foundation of Visual Form

Defining the Point

The point is the smallest element that can be drawn. Its form is considered indefinite when it is very small, as its shape is conceptually round.

Expressive Capacity of Points

The expressive capacity of the point is demonstrated when a set of points produces an effect of depth or volume. An example of this is concentration, where points grouped closely together can create a sense of density or focus.

Dimensional Capability of Points

The dimensional capability of the point also relates to how a set of points can create an effect of depth or volume. This can be achieved through techniques such as overlap, variations in size, and the use of color.

The Line: A Point in Motion

Understanding the Line

The... Continue reading "Visual Elements: Point, Line, Plane, & Texture in Art" »

Understanding Color: Rainbows, Light, and Pigments

A rainbow occurs when sunlight passes through raindrops, separating the light into seven colored lights.

Absorption conveys the feeling of color when light illuminates an object. The object's surface absorbs some of the light. This property is called the absorption of light.

Reflection is when light is not absorbed but rejected, changing direction and creating the sensation of color.

Color is the name for each color and describes the colors that comprise their mixture (e.g., yellow and green make yellow-green).

Value and Saturation

Value describes the degree of clarity or obscurity of a tone, i.e., the amount of white or black in the composition. For example, magenta can be light, dark, or very dark.... Continue reading "Understanding Color: Rainbows, Light, Pigments, and Saturation" »

Map Projection

A map projection is a system of ordered correspondence between points on the curved surface of the Earth and a flat surface. These points are located on a network of meridians and parallels, in the form of a mesh (creating a series of distortions). Good projections must have two characteristics: to retain the areas (equivalence) and retain angles (conformity). Depending on which point is considered the center of the map, it is distinguished between:

• Polar projection: The center is one of the poles.
• Equatorial projection: The center is the intersection between the Equator and a meridian.
• Oblique or slanted projection: The center is any other point.

Functions of the Projections

Conformal Projections

A map projection is conformal when... Continue reading "Map Projections: Types, Functions, and Uses in GIS with GPS" »

Understanding Space and Visual Perception

Space is the medium in which we move. It is unlimited and three-dimensional, meaning it has three dimensions: height, width, and depth. Through these, we can understand the form, saturation, and position of any solid body.

The way our eyes perceive space, the visual field, is divided into two general planes: the plane of the sky and the plane of the earth. These are separated by the horizon, seen at the eye level of the human observer. Each observer perceives their environment from a single point of view, which changes simply by altering the direction of their gaze or the position from which they observe.

Representing Three-Dimensional Space on a Plane

Drawing on a plane (which has height and width) is... Continue reading "Visualizing Space: Perception, Perspective, and Artistic Techniques" »

Ancient Egyptian Artistic Expression

Egyptian Sculpture: Materials and Forms

Artistic expression was prominent in Egypt. The most used materials were hard stone and granite. Sculptures were also made in wood and bronze.

Types of Sculptural Representation

Egyptian sculpture is categorized into two main types:

• Relief: Appears in tombs and temples as an essential element of architecture. Its purpose was to proclaim the virtues and powers of the gods, and to depict the daily work of the Egyptians. The technique used was that of raised relief and sunk relief (recess, or cut into the stone).
• Statuary: Highlights freestanding (exempt) and monumental sculptures.

Features of Statuary

Its main feature is the inscrutable attitude, characterized by a certain rigidity... Continue reading "Egyptian Artistic Techniques and Classical Architectural Orders" »

Classification of Triangles

Notable Lines and Points in a Triangle

• Altitude (Height): A segment drawn from a vertex perpendicular to the opposite side.
• Orthocenter: The point of intersection of the 3 altitudes of a triangle.
• Median: A line segment connecting a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side.
• Centroid: The point of intersection of the 3 medians of a triangle.
• Angle Bisector: A line segment originating

Joan Miró: Beyond the Netherlands

Joan Miró's Dutch Interiors series, particularly Dutch Interior III, exemplifies his unique pictorial language, translating original scenes by 17th-century Dutch painters into his distinctive style. This period marked the consolidation of a new artistic language for Miró, deeply influenced by Surrealism. He was reportedly impressed by Dutch art during his visits to Holland. In these works, colors are exceptionally bright, pure, and flat, while shapes are distorted, acquiring a dreamlike, organic quality. The forms extend across the canvas in a very particular manner.

The Evolution of Miró's Pictorial Language

By this time, Miró had firmly established his pictorial language, which contained elements that displayed... Continue reading "Joan Miró's Artistic Journey: Surrealism, Symbolism, and Dutch Influences" »

Architectural Elements of the Dome

The exterior of the Florence Cathedral highlights its magnificent dome, which features a distinctive pointed ogival profile. The dome is composed of three primary parts:

• The Tambour (or Light Body): This octagonal section features eight panels, formed by slabs of green and white marble.
• The Oculus (or "Egg"): A circular window, serving as a classic architectural element and light source.
• The Cupola Proper: This main section of the dome is formed by eight triangular trusses. The overlying material consists of red brick, surrounded by prominent nerves that discharge weight from the drum. The lantern, crowning the dome, is made of white marble.

Engineering Challenges and Innovations

The construction of the dome presented... Continue reading "Brunelleschi's Dome: Florence Cathedral's Architectural Triumph" »

Sulfate Minerals

Painting Techniques

Fresco

Fresco: Applied on a whitewashed wall with pigments dissolved in lime water. The painter must work quickly and confidently because corrections are impossible once the paint dries. A preparatory drawing is essential to mark the outlines and the areas to be painted.

Oil Painting

Oil: Applied on canvas or wood, using pigments dissolved in oil. Oil painting allows for corrections and a variety of pictorial effects, although errors may become visible over time.

Watercolor

Watercolor: Pigments mixed with water on absorbent paper. Corrections are difficult.

Pastel

Pastel: Applied with a pencil incorporating a binding agent on paper.

Collage

Collage: Popularized by Picasso and Braque, collage involves pasting colored newsprint or other... Continue reading "Painting Techniques: Fresco, Oil, Watercolor, and More" »