Visual Arts Fundamentals: Color, Light, and Composition Techniques

Color Classification and Theory

Colors are generally classified as: Warm (yellow and red) and Cold (blue and green).

Chromatic Scales

Chromatic scales are distinguished in turn as High, Medium, and Low:

• High Scale: Used when modulating the saturation value and containing a high amount of white.
• Medium Scale (Saturated): Used when modulations are not far from the pure, saturated color tone.
• Low Scale: Used when modulating the value and containing a high amount of black (low light).

Polychrome: These are ranges of variations involving two or more colors. The best example of this type of scale is the Rainbow.

Chiaroscuro: Light and Shadow Contrast

The chiaroscuro effect is achieved through the distribution and contrast of light and shadow in a painting or photograph. Chiaroscuro zones occur when natural or artificial light affects the body. These zones include:

Chiaroscuro Zones

• Bright Illumination Area: This area identifies the part receiving the light rays directly.
• Penumbra (Half-Tone Opaque): This area identifies the transition zone between the light area and the dark area, ranging through a variety of clear to dark grays.
• Dark Zone (Core Shadow): This is the area that receives no ray of light and remains dark.
• Projected Area: This area identifies the shadow an object casts onto other objects or the surface where it rests.
• Reflex Zone: This zone is the part that receives light reflected by surrounding bodies. It is often characterized by subtle, bright colors.

This technique enhances the volume of objects, improves portraits and facial expressions, and gives more life to the drawing.

Photomontage and Drawing Concepts

Photomontage

Photomontage is both the process and the result of making a picture composed of others; this is a kind of collage. Salvador Dalí.

Lace Lines

He referred to Lace Lines as the lines that serve to mark the proportions of a drawing.

Visual Identity: Pictograms and Logos

A Pictogram is a sign that schematically shows a symbol, a real object, or a figure.

A Logo is a graphic element that identifies a person, company, institution, or product. Logos usually include symbols clearly associated with the language they represent.

Photography Composition

In photography, whether still or motion picture, Composition is the way in which objects seen in the frame are sorted within the effective viewing area.

Angulation refers to the tilt of the camera relative to the subject that must be captured.