Shading Unit Vocabulary

The lightness or darkness of tones or colors. White is the lightest value; black is the darkest. The value halfway between these extremes is called middle gray. 

• contour line

• form shadow

• value

• principles of design

•  art experts refer to it as the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so as to create visual interest, excitement and drama. Considered a principle of design with variety. 

• elements of art

• value

• cast shadow

• contrast

• the lightest spot or area; any of several spots in a modeled drawing or painting that receives the greatest amount of illumination.
  

• highlight

• principles of design

• form shadow

• value

• The building blocks of a work of art. The visual components of color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value. 

• highlight

• form shadow

• elements of art

• principles of design

• When an object blocks a light source it creates a shadow. A cast shadow is not a solid shape but varies in tone and value. The farther a cast shadow is from the object the lighter and softer and less defined becomes its edges.

• cast shadow

• form shadow

• contour line

• elements of art

• describe the ways that artists use the elements of art in a work of art. Includes: balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, repetition, pattern, rhythm, unity, and variety.

• cast shadow

• contour line

• principles of design

• value

• a line that defines a form or an edge. The outline or silhouette of a given object or figure. Can also be used to show basic details or changes within the plane of an object. 

• highlight

• form shadow

• contrast

• contour line

•  form shadow is the less defined dark side on an object not facing the light source. Form shadows are subtle shadows, but they are essential for creating the illusion of volume, mass and depth.

• cast shadow

• form shadow

• contour line

• elements of art

How many elements of art are there?

• 5
• 3
• 7

_________ means everything seems to have equal weight; it can be symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial.

• Pattern

• Movement

• Balance

• Scale