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

Triangle Centers

Incenter

The angle bisectors of a triangle are the lines that divide the interior angles into two equal parts. The three bisectors intersect at a point equidistant from the three sides, called the incenter, which serves as the center of the inscribed circle.

Circumcenter

The perpendicular bisectors are lines perpendicular to the sides of a triangle at their midpoints. These three lines intersect at a point called the circumcenter, which is equidistant from the three vertices and acts as the center of the circumcircle. The circumcenter can be located inside or outside the triangle.

Centroid

The medians are segments joining a vertex with the midpoint of the opposite side. They intersect at a point called the centroid, which represents... Continue reading "Triangle Centers and Geometric Loci Explained" »

Isometric Drawing Steps

1. Axis Construction: The three axes are drawn using set squares. To draw the X and Y axes, the 30-60-90º set square’s 30º angle is used.
2. Box Creation: The object’s measurements are marked on the axes, corresponding to the object’s three edges. Using set squares, parallel lines are drawn to create the bounding box for the figure.
3. Detailing: Measurements of the different parts of the views are marked. Sketch lines parallel to the edges of the box lightly, as some will be erased later.
4. Finalizing: Visible edges are drawn using darker lines, and construction lines are erased.

Conical Perspective

Conical perspective is based on the optical effects that occur in an object’s measurements as it moves farther from the observer.... Continue reading "Technical Drawing: Isometric, Conical Perspective and Scale" »

Color Ranges and Psychological Effects

Cold Color Ranges

Colors: Turquoise, cyan, blue, and violet.

White is often defined in relation to these colors but is not considered a color in itself; it is also associated with coldness.

These colors affect the whole body by stimulating the functions of the parasympathetic nervous system. They have a sedative effect, promoting calmness and passivity.

Bodily Inhibition Examples:

• Decrease in heart rate.
• Stimulation of digestion.

Warm Color Ranges

Colors: Magenta, red, orange, yellow, and lime green.

These colors have a stimulating effect on the entire body, acting positively on the nervous system. They express positive qualities and produce feelings of joy, activity, movement, and heat.

Contrast Composition

Simultaneous

To select colors, simply click on the color button. This action opens a window displaying all available colors within the Color Palette Panel.

Applying Colors to Text

To change the color of text within your document, follow these steps:

1. Select the text or text block you wish to modify.
2. Click the Fill Color option in the Properties Inspector.
3. Choose a color from the color window that appears.

Managing Color Palettes

To access and work with the Color Palette, navigate to the Window menu, then select Others, and finally Color Palette.

Creating and Swapping Color Palettes

1. Select the Mixers tab from the Color Palette Panel .
2. Choose the four base colors for your document using the fill color boxes.
3. Utilize the HSB Color Wheel on the right side of the panel

Pastels: Origin and Evolution

Pastel sticks are soft bars of dried powder made from mixing pigment with very little binder, usually gum tragacanth. The paste formed is molded into bar-like shapes.

Features of Pastels

• Pastels are mainly characterized by their brightness. Because they contain very little binder, their colors are exceptionally vibrant.
• The finished pastel painting has a soft, matte appearance. The pigment is finely shredded and delicately embedded between the fibers and grains of the support.
• Precisely because the pigments are only lightly bound to the paper's grain, if permanent colors and good quality paper are used, pastels can be one of the most permanent painting techniques, especially when protected with glass framing.
• Fixative

The Golden Rectangle Construction

The Golden Rectangle: Square and mark the midpoint (D) of one side (AB). Join the vertex (C) opposite side D. Use a compass to transfer that distance onto the initial side (D), obtaining the longest side of the rectangle (AC).

Compositional Strengths and Rules

The Four Strengths and the Law of Thirds

Strengths are obtained by drawing lines on the sides; four points (Q) are achieved that relate to the golden section.

Basic Lines of the Frame

The lines must direct the gaze toward the center of interest:

• Horizon: Unless creating a specific effect, the horizon should never divide the frame into two equal halves.
• Vertical: Often suggests the divine or spiritual element.
• Diagonal (Bias): The best resource to break monotony.

Line Projections in Descriptive Geometry

Oblique Line Projections

For oblique line projections, both the horizontal projection (r1) and the vertical projection (r2) intersect at the reference line (LT).

Frontal Line Projections

A frontal line is straight and parallel to the Vertical Plane (PV). Its horizontal projection (r1) is always parallel to the reference line (LT).

Lines Parallel to the Reference Line (LT)

For lines parallel to the reference line (LT), both horizontal (r1) and vertical (r2) projections are parallel to the LT.

Vertical Line Projections

A vertical line is perpendicular to the Horizontal Plane (PH). Its vertical projection (r2) is perpendicular to the reference line (LT).

Edge View Projections (Perpendicular to PV)

When a straight... Continue reading "Principles of Orthographic Projections: Lines and Planes in Descriptive Geometry" »

Color Fundamentals

Tone

Tone defines the very quality that has color.

Value

Value refers to when each color or tone of the color wheel is mixed with bright white or black to darken or lighten it.

Saturation

This concept represents the purity or intensity of a particular color, its brightness or dullness.

Color Mixing

Additive Mixture

It is so named because it is produced by adding the primary colors, resulting in white.

Subtractive Mixture

This is the mix where the primary subject is involved. The sum of the three primaries produces a gray or brown color, almost black.

Complementary colors are those that are opposite on the color wheel. When you mix two complementary colors, you are mixing the three primaries.

Tone Revisited

When using various color tones,... Continue reading "Understanding Color Theory: Tone, Value, and Contrast" »

Impressionism: Capturing Natural Light

The main initiator of this movement was Claude Monet, focusing primarily on landscapes. Key artists include:

• Claude Monet
• Alfred Sisley
• Camille Pissarro

Pioneers of the Avant-Garde

These artists paved the way for modern movements:

• Vincent Van Gogh: His undulating forms and colors influenced Expressionism.
• Paul Gauguin: His Polynesian paintings influenced Fauvism.
• Paul Cézanne: Simplified forms into cubes, cylinders, and spheres, leading to Cubism.
• Edvard Munch: His work, such as The Scream, became a symbol of horror and violence, influencing Expressionism.

Radical Artistic Expressions

René Magritte challenged the perception of reality, while Marcel Duchamp introduced readymades—everyday objects transformed into... Continue reading "Modern Art Movements and Geometric Principles Explained" »

Vodka Rickey

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 cube of ice

Preparation:

1. Use a medium glass.
2. Top with soda water (Cristal or Perrier).
3. Garnish with a slice of lemon.

Vodka Saline

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces of vodka
• Lemon juice
• Grapefruit juice
• Salt

Preparation:

1. Frost a round (ball) glass with lemon juice and salt.
2. Add the vodka and 2 or 3 ice cubes.
3. Top with grapefruit juice.
4. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Vodka Sour

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup

Preparation:

1. Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well, strain into a half-filled glass.
3. Top with soda water, seltzer, Cristal, or Perrier.
4. Garnish with a slice of lemon.
5. Serve with straws.

Vodka Sour Special

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ ounces of vodka
• ½ ounce Campari
• ½ ounce cherry