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

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

Art and Design Vocabulary

• Masterpiece: Obra maestra
• Watercolor: Acuarela
• Realistic: Realista
• Plastic: Plástico
• Abstract: Abstracto
• Metal: Metal
• Exhibition: Exhibición
• Wood: Madera
• Sketch: Bosquejo
• Glass: Vidrio
• Portrait: Retrato
• Canvas: Lienzo
• Landscape: Paisaje
• Draw: Dibujar
• Drawing: Dibujo
• Painting: Cuadro
• Sculpture: Escultura
• Painter: Pintor
• Oil: Óleo
• Success: Éxito
• Charcoal: Carbón vegetal / Carboncillo
• Hire: Contratar
• Ink: Tinta
• Brochure: Folleto
• Clay: Arcilla
• Allow: Permitir

Descriptive Terms

• Rough: Rugoso / Áspero
• Traditional: Tradicional
• Curved: Curvado
• Simple: Simple
• Smooth: Suave
• Three-dimensional: 3D
• Shiny: Brillante
• Complex: Complejo
• Cheerful: Alegre
• Shapes: Forma
• Styles: Estilo
• Flat: Liso / Llano
• Lovely: Bonito

English Grammar: Conditionals

• Type 0 (Universal Truths)

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

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

Verb Tenses

Present Simple

Actions that happen habitually. Subject + Verb (e.g., I don't talk, he eats)

Present Continuous

Action happening at this moment: Subject + to be + gerund (e.g., I'm talking, he isn't eating)

Past Simple

Action that began and ended in the past: Subject + past tense verb (e.g., She was/wasn't a doctor, I wanted/didn't want to dance)

Past Continuous

Action interrupted in the past (e.g., I was talking)

Present Perfect Simple

e.g., I have talked to Peter / He hablado con Peter

Past Perfect Simple

e.g., They had studied (habían estudiado)

Future Simple

Predicting the future: I will call you tonight / be going to (planned future action) - I'm going to call you.

Future Perfect Simple

Actions completed by a certain... Continue reading "English Grammar Cheat Sheet: Tenses, Reported Speech, and More" »

English Exam Preparation

Types of TV Programmes

• Advert: Propaganda
• Cartoon: Dibujos animados
• Chat show: Programa de entrevistas
• Cookery programme: Programa de cocina
• Current affairs programme: Programa de actualidad
• Documentary: Documental
• Drama: Drama
• Live sport: Deporte en directo
• Period drama: Drama de época
• Quiz show: Concurso
• Reality show: Reality show
• The news: Noticias
• The weather forecast: El tiempo

Nature and Farm Vocabulary

• Nature: Branch (rama), bush (arbusto), cliff (acantilado), fence (valla), field (campo), gate (verja), grass (césped), hedge (seto), hill (colina), lake (lago), leaf (hoja), mud (barro), path (camino), rocks (rocas), sticks (palos), stones (piedras), stream (arroyo), valley (valle), well (pozo), wood (bosque).
• On a farm: Barn

Present Continuous

Actions that are happening now.

• Add -ing to the verb (e.g., I am talking, he/she/it is eating, you/we/they are talking).

Present Simple

Actions that happen regularly or habitually.

• For I, you, we, and they, use the base form of the verb (e.g., talk, eats, learn).
• For he, she, and it, add -s to the verb (e.g., talks, eats, learns).
• For questions, use do/does and do not add -s (e.g., Do you talk?, Does he eat?).
• For negatives, do not add -s (e.g., I don't talk, he doesn't learn).
• Use time expressions (e.g., always, usually, often, sometimes) before the verb.

Present Perfect

Past actions that have relevance to the present.

• For I, you, we, and they, add have.
• For he, she, and it, add has.
• Affirmative: I have (I've) talked to Peter, they have

Manicure A/B/C

1. Julissa used the buffer (C) - an object that makes nails shiny.

2. The nail technician was careful not to cut too much of the cuticle (B) - the skin around the nail.

3. Max cleaned the dirt from his nails with a nail brush (A) - an object with stiff pieces of plastic used to clean nails.

RELLENAR

1. Kate put her hands in the finger bowl, which was full of soapy water.

2. A manicurist trims dead skin from around a client's nails with a cuticle trimmer.

3. After a long day at work, Max soaks his tired feet in warm water.

4. Penny often files the rough edges of her nails to keep them smooth.

5. Wendy showed her sister how to push back her cuticles with an orange stick.

INTERES

1. What is the purpose of the guide?: (d) to explain the steps... Continue reading "The Complete Guide to Manicures and Pedicures" »

Pulled Pork Meatballs

• Ingredients: Herbs, salt and pepper, House BBQ Sauce
• Served with: Brussels sprouts slaw
• Portion: 3 x 2oz meatballs
• Dietary: Gluten free

Portabella Fries

• Preparation: Sliced portabella, egg wash, panko breaded, fried
• Served with: Spicy aioli (egg, extra virgin olive oil, sriracha)
• Dietary: Vegetarian; Gluten free without panko

5 Pickle "Wings"

• Preparation: Dill pickle slices, egg wash, flour, panko
• Served with: House hot sauce and blue cheese dressing
• Dietary: Vegetarian

Lobster Roll

• Ingredients: John Gross lobster (5oz mixed), mayo, celery, herbs
• Dinner Portion: Deconstructed, served with 4 pieces of brioche, whole grain mustard, and extra virgin olive oil greens

House Flatbread

• Toppings: Goat Cheese, red onion, shaved Brussels sprouts,