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Vocabulary for Visual Arts

Abstract art.
A style of art that achieves its effect by simplifying or altering the visual
elements (e.g., line, shape, colour), rather than by representing
recognizable things or people.
Abstraction.
The process of making art work abstract.
Asymmetry.
A type of balance in which the parts are unequal in size, shape, etc., but still
produce a balanced visual effect.
Background.
The part of a composition that appears to be farthest from the viewer.
Balance.
A principle of design. A feeling of balance results when the elements of
design are arranged to create the impression of equality in weight or
importance.
Collage.
A form of art in which a variety of materials (e.g., photographs, fabric,
objects) are glued to a flat background.

Colour.
An element of design. Colour is the particular hue that is seen when light is
reflected off an object.
Colour wheel.
A tool for organizing colours and representing relationships among colours.
Complementary colours.
Colours that are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel (e.g., red
and green, blue and orange, yellow and purple).
Composition.
The organization of the elements of design in an art work, following certain
principles of design.
Contemporary art.
Art created in the present day.
Cool colours.
Colours that suggest coolness (e.g., blue, green, purple).
Dimension.
A term used to describe an object's extent in space. A two-dimensional
object is one that has length and width. A three-dimensional object is one
that has length, width, and depth.
Elements of design.
Fundamental components of art works. They include colour, line, texture,
shape, form, and space.
Emphasis.
A principle of design. Emphasis may be defined as the special attention or
importance given to one part or element in an art work. Emphasis can be
achieved through placement, contrast, size, etc.
Focal point.
The element or object in a work of art on which the viewer's attention is
focused.
Foreground.
The area of a picture that appears closest to the viewer. It is often at the
bottom of the picture plane.
Form.
An element of design. Form is sculptural or three-dimensional shape (e.g.,
cube, pyramid, sphere).
Geometric shape.
A shape that is based on geometric figures (e.g., square, circle, triangle).
Horizon line.
The "line" at which the sky and the earth appear to meet.
Hue.
The common name of a colour (e.g., red).
Impressionistic art.
Art in the Impressionist style, a characteristic of which is the depiction of the
effect of light on objects.
Line.
An element of design. A line may be defined as the visual path left by a
moving point.
Logo.
A symbolic form that identifies organizations, products, etc.
Medium.
Any material used by an artist to produce a work of art.
Middle ground.
Area in the picture between the foreground and the background.

Mixed media.
Any art work in which more than one medium is used.
Monochromatic colour scheme.
A colour scheme in which only one hue is used, along with its tints (i.e., hue
plus white) and shades (i.e., hue plus black).
Movement.
A principle of design. Movement is the way in which the elements of design
are organized so that the viewer's eye is led through the work of art in a
systematic way.
Negative space.
The void or open areas around an object or form.
Perspective.
A technique for creating the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.
There are three types of perspective: - linear perspective, which involves the
use of parallel lines that appear to converge as their distance from the
viewer increases; - diminishing perspective, in which objects appear to
diminish in size as their distance from the viewer increases; - atmospheric
perspective, which is produced by the gradual lessening of the intensity of
colour and the reducing of detail as the distance between an object and the
viewer increases.
Organic shapes or forms.
Shapes or forms that are non-geometric or free- flowing, and that are based
on natural objects.
Positive space.
Shapes or forms on a two-dimensional surface.
Principles of design.
Principles or guidelines used by artists to organize the visual elements of an
art work. They include balance, emphasis, rhythm, unity, movement,
variety, harmony, and proportion.
Primary colours.
Colours that cannot be created by mixing other colours, but that can be
mixed to produce all the other colours (red, yellow, and blue).
Proportion.
A principle of design. Proportion may be described as the relationship
between objects with respect to size, number, etc.
Representational art.
Art whose subject matter contains recognizable images from real life.
Rhythm.
A principle of design. Rhythm involves the repetition of elements to create
the illusion of movement.
Sculpture.
A work of art in three dimensions (i.e., with height, width, and depth) that is
meant to be seen from all sides.
Secondary colours.
Colours that are created by mixing the primary colours (orange, green, and
purple).
Shade.
A colour with a certain amount of black added.
Space.
An element of design. Space is the area around, within, or between images
or elements. Space can be created on a two-dimensional surface by using
such techniques as overlapping of objects, varying of object size or
placement, varying of colour intensity and value, and use of detail and
diagonal lines.

Style.
The artist's way of representing something. The choice and use of materials,
methods of work, subject matter, etc., reflect the style of an individual, a
culture, or a historical period.
Symmetry.
A type of balance in which parts or elements are equal in size or shape, or in
some other attribute.
Technique.
A method or procedure used in producing a work of art.
Texture.
An element of design. Texture is the feel or appearance of an object or
material.
Tint.
A colour with a certain amount of white added.
Unity.
A principle of design. Unity is the coherence of a work that gives the viewer
the feeling that all the parts of the piece are working together.
Value.
The lightness or darkness of a colour.
Vanishing point.
In perspective drawing, the point on the horizon line where the converging
parallel lines appear to meet.
Variety.
A principle of design. Achieving variety involves the use of differences or
contrasts.
Warm colours.
Colours that suggest warmth (e.g., red, yellow, orange).

What is creativity?
Do you consider yourself a creative person? Why?
What is something creative that you have done?
Is creativity a good thing? Why or why not?
What are some ways that a person can be creative?
Is taking a risk part of creativity?
o
Do you like to take risks? Give an example
Do you often ask question the way things work?
Do you like to improve things?
What are some creative ways to entertain children?
Can you think of a device that would make people's life easier?
How does self-confidence affect a person's creativity?
Can someone who initially seems to lack any ability for a certain form of art
develop his creativity and finally come to master it?
o
Have you heard of any such case?
o
Do you know anyone who is personally an example of this?
How does early exposure to diverse stimuli, and his involvement in creative
activities affect a child's future creativity?
Do you believe that natural genetical features in a human being are absolutely
determinant to their future creativity, or is interaction and engagement into self-expression
and interaction with the world more influential than this?
How does a person's standard of living, involving such things as diet, exposure
to chemical or other forms of pollution, active versus sedentary living, different forms of
addiction, or any other aspects you may think of, affect them biologically regarding their
creative capacities?
Does the education system in your country encourage creativity? How?

Do you think creativity comes with time and thought or you are born with
creative talent?
What creative activities did you do as a child?
What are some incentives for creative people in the workplace?
What is a creative business that you would like to start?
Who are some of history's most creative people?
In which professional field do you think people are most creative? e.g science
Do you often answer questions by explaining how things work?
Can you think of devices that would make people's life easier?
What is one of your favorite TV shows?
o
Why do you like it?
o
When is it on?
o
Does you father like it, too?
Are you going to watch TV tonight?
o
If so, what will you watch?
What did you watch on TV yesterday?
What is one of your favorite TV shows?
o
Why do you like it?
o
When is it on?
o
Does you father like it, too?
Do you like ___? (Insert the name of a TV show.)
Do you prefer listening to the radio or watching TV?
Do you think it is good for children to watch TV?
Do you think TV is educational?
Do you think there is too much violence on TV?
Do you think that TV is a good thing?
If you could design a new television show to boost ratings, what kind of show
would it be?
How often do you watch TV.
What are the advantages of watching TV?
What are the disadvantages of watching TV?
What do you usually watch on TV?
What kind of TV programs do you usually watch?
What kind of TV shows do you not like? Why?
What is your favorite program on cable TV.
What channel is your favorite channel? Why?
What TV commercials do you like?
o
Why do you like it?
o
Which ones do you hate?
What's your favorite commercial?
What is the purpose of advertising a product?
Do you think there are subliminal messages?
When you drive or walk, do you get distracted by advertisements on buses or
billboards?
When you go food shopping, do you buy foods you've seen in TV commercials?
Do you like the _____ advertisements? If not, why? (You can substitute any
company's name.)
Do you think it's right to see naked women in TV commercials selling beauty
products?
What types of TV program are there?
o
Which type do you like best?
When do you usually watch TV?
Do you think that TV makes people lazy?
Do you think too much time is spent watching TV?

Does TV make a person passive? Does TV take away a person's ability to think
for himself or herself?
Do you think that TV prevents people from communicating?
What do you think of TV shows that are designed to "discover new talent?"
If you couldn't watch TV at home but had to stay there, what would you do?
Could you live without TV for a week?
What do you think about reality shows?
Would you participate in one if you were invited?
Which channel do you like the best?
Do you like watching TV alone or with your family?
Who decides what to watch: the parent or the child?
What do you think about Reality Shows?
Is television one of the best inventions of all times?
Why do you think television industry is so successful?
What do you think of the "rubbish" programs on TV which are only dedicate to
gossip about famous or pseudo famous people?
There is a famous English saying that goes "you are what you eat." Does this
apply to television? Can the programs you watch affect your behavior?
What kind of entertainment do children like?
Do you think children watch too much TV these days?
What are the benefits of being an EU member?
What are the drawbacks of being an EU member?
Do you think that every future politician should be vetted for security reasons?
Who is the most controversial politician in your country?
Do you think there are any possible dangers to society from the material
broadcast on TV channels?
How do you feel when watching explicit scenes on TV with your parents? How
do your parents usually react?
Does violence on TV influence some young people to engage in violent
behavior?
What do you think should happen if a cell phone rings in class?
o
In a restaurant?
o
In a movie theater?
o
During a concert or speech?

o
o
o
o
o

o
o

At what age does the average person obtain a driver's license?

Can you ride a motorcycle?
Do you drive a car often?
Have you ever gotten a parking ticket?
Are there speed limits in your country? If so, what is the average speed limit?
Do you have a bicycle?
If so, when did you get it?
How much did it cost?
How often do you ride it?
What color is it?
Do you have a car?
If not, does your family have a car?
Do you have a driver's license? If so, when did you get it?
Do you often ride public transportation during rush hour?
Do you often use public transportation?
Do you ride a bicycle more than once a week?
Do you always wear a seat belt?
Even if you are riding in the rear seat?
How about on a bus?
Does your mother have a driver's license?

Have you ever been in a traffic accident?

Have you ever been stopped for speeding?
(Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?)
Have you ever missed your last train or bus home? If so, how did you get home

that night?

Have you ever ridden a horse? How about a motorcycle?

Have you every carpooled?
How do you get to school?
o
How long does it take?
o
How much is the bus fare or the train fare?
How do you think countries can reduce congestion on the roads?
How many times have you traveled by airplane?
How much does gasoline cost is your country?
Is parking a problem in your country? (shopping malls, etc)
Is there any environmentally-friendly transportation in your area?
What are the most annoying bad driving habits of other drivers in your country
(/or this country /or compared to this country)?
What do you have to do to get a driver's license in your country? Do you think
it's a good test?
What do you need to do in your country to get a driver's license?
What do you think is the most dangerous form of transportation? Why?
What do you think is the safest form of transportation? Why?
What do you usually do when riding a train or bus?
o
Do you read?
o
Do you sleep?
What is the penalty for speeding in your country?
What is your favorite kind of car? Why?
What is your favorite make of car? Why?
What kind of car do you have?
What kind of things annoy you about other people's driving?
What kind of transportation do you use most often?
What's the most readily available form of public transportation where you live?
What's your favorite color for a car?
What's your favorite form of transportation?
When was the last time you rode a bus?
Where is a good place to go for a drive?
Would you like to go on a cruise? Why or why not?
Do you sometimes take a taxi (cab)?
How do you "call" a taxi in your country from the side of the road? (ex. raise
your hand in the air, etc.)
o
Is it expensive to take a taxi in your country?
o
Are there seat-belts in the taxis?
o
Is it common to give the cab driver a tip? If so, about how much do you give?
o
Does the cab driver open the door for you, or do you open it yourself?
o
Is it more appropriate to sit in the front or back of the taxi?
How important do you think it is to use public transportation?
Do you think that governments should encourage public transportation more?
Do you think city governments should discourage use of privately driven cars
within city limits?
Do you have good public transportation where you live?
How could public transportation in your city be improved?
Do you think that we ought to be obligated to drive electrical and solar powered
vehicles?
Is the public transportation in your city efficient?

Is public transportation in your city too expensive?

If public transportation were free, would you use it more?
Do you think that your city government maintains the public transportation well?
In other words, are the buses and trains kept clean?
Do you feel safe when you use public transportation?
Do you feel safe going into the subway/metro/underground at all hours?