Flashcards › Language of Art and Architecture #3

implied texture [texture] An imaginary surface quality created by the artist. irregular shape A shape that is complex, often organic or biomorphic, that has no simple name. isometric perspective A perspective system for rendering a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface by drawing all horizontal edges at a 30-degree angle from a horizontal base. All the verticals are drawn perpendicularly from the horizontal base. keystone The center wedge-shaped stone in an arch that fixed in place the other stones of the arch. light The electromagnetic energy, that in certain wavelengths, stimulates the eyes and brain. line quality Attributes of a line, such as jagged, flowing, rough, angular, and so on. lintel In architecture, a horizontal member spanning an opening, and usually carrying a weight from above. local colors The natural color of an object mass (volume) An area of occupied space. Mass usually refers to a solid occupying a space, while volume may refer to either a solid mass or an open framework occupying a space. modeling The process of making a sculpture in which malleable substances such as clay or wax are pushed or pulled into a shape. multipoint perspective A kind of drawing that depicts forms in space as receding to two or more vanishing points not on the same horizon line. natural pattern Repeated elements that resemble each other, but are not exactly alike; the interval between elements may be irregular. neutral Low-intensity colors. oblique perspective A method of showing three-dimensional objects in a drawing by rendering all receding planes at 45 degrees from the ground line. one-point perspective A drawing in which all front-facing planes are shown as parallel to the picture plane, and all other planes recede to a single point. organic A shape that seems to be drawn from nature or that is like nature; not geometric. outline A line that strictly adheres to the perimeter of a shape, without variations in line thickness. pattern In art, a repetition of any element in the composition. pendentive The triangular concave sections that are created when a dome is supported by a base of arches. perspective A system of rendering the illusion of three-dimensional depth on a flat, two-dimensional surface. pier A solid stone or masonry support, usually rectangular. planar space The vertical and horizontal space of a surface for a drawing or painting. post and lintel system A method of construction that uses posts to support a crossbeam that can bear the weight of the roof. primary colors In any medium, those colors that, when mixed, produce the largest range of new colors. proportion The size relationship, or relative size, of parts of objects or imagery to a whole or to each other. radial balance Visual equilibrium achieved when all the elements in a composition radiate outward from a central point. reflected light [light] The brightness and color of light that is bounced off of objects in the environment. refracted light The range of colors visible when a prism breaks a light beam into a spectrum of color, or in a rainbow after a storm. regular rhythm Standardized visual elements repeated systematically with consistent intervals. regular shape Geometric shapes with names like circle, square, triangle, etc. reinforced concrete Also known as ferroconcrete, features steel reinforcing bars embedded in concrete, which makes the concrete much stronger and less brittle. More basic terms