Glossary
Art Terminology
The specific vocabulary and specialized language used to describe, analyze, and discuss art concepts, techniques, and elements.
Example:
When critiquing a peer's work, the student used precise art terminology like 'chiaroscuro' and 'asymmetrical balance' to articulate their observations clearly.
Artistic Intent
The underlying purpose, message, or concept an artist aims to communicate or explore through their artwork.
Example:
The artist's artistic intent was to evoke a sense of calm and introspection, which they achieved through a muted color palette and soft, flowing lines.
Cohesion
The quality of a body of work feeling unified and interconnected, where individual pieces relate to each other to form a harmonious whole.
Example:
Despite using different mediums, all the pieces in the student's portfolio explored themes of nature and transformation, creating a strong sense of cohesion.
Elements of Art
The fundamental visual components that artists use to create a work of art, including Line, Shape, Form, Space, Color, Texture, and Value.
Example:
In a landscape painting, the artist used vibrant color to depict the sunset and varied texture to show rough mountains, effectively utilizing the elements of art.
Experimentation
The process of trying out different materials, techniques, and approaches in art-making to discover new possibilities and push creative boundaries.
Example:
During a project, a painter might try mixing unconventional mediums or applying paint with a palette knife instead of a brush, embracing experimentation to achieve unexpected textures.
Intentionality
The quality of making deliberate and purposeful choices in art-making, ensuring every decision supports the artist's overall vision and message.
Example:
Every brushstroke and color choice in the portrait was carefully considered to convey a specific emotion, highlighting the artist's strong intentionality.
Iterative Process
A cyclical approach to creation where each step builds upon the previous one, allowing for continuous refinement and evolution of an artwork or idea.
Example:
Designing a complex sculpture involved creating multiple small models, each one informing and improving the next, illustrating an iterative process of development.
PERR (Practice, Experiment, Revise, Repeat)
An acronym representing a cyclical and continuous process in art-making, emphasizing the ongoing nature of skill development, creative discovery, and refinement.
Example:
An AP Art student consistently applies the PERR cycle, knowing that each iteration of their work brings them closer to their artistic vision.
Practice
The act of repeatedly creating art to develop skills, refine techniques, and improve overall artistic proficiency.
Example:
A sculptor dedicates hours each week to sketching and modeling clay, understanding that consistent practice is essential for mastering their craft.
Principles of Design
The guidelines or rules artists use to organize the elements of art within a composition, such as Balance, Emphasis, Movement, Pattern, Repetition, Proportion, Rhythm, Variety, and Unity.
Example:
A graphic designer created a poster with a large, central image to draw the eye, demonstrating emphasis, and repeated geometric shapes for pattern, applying key principles of design.
Process Over Product
An approach that values the artistic journey, exploration, and development of ideas as much as, or more than, the final completed artwork itself.
Example:
The AP Art portfolio emphasizes documenting sketches, experiments, and revisions, demonstrating that the process over product is highly valued.
Revision
The essential process of refining, editing, remaking, or redoing parts of an artwork to strengthen ideas and improve the final product.
Example:
After completing a first draft of a digital illustration, the artist went back to adjust the color balance and redraw a character's pose, demonstrating the importance of revision in their workflow.
Self-Answering Questions
Questions that guide an artist's exploration and growth, which are answered through the artistic process itself rather than seeking an immediate, definitive answer.
Example:
Instead of wondering if a painting is 'good,' an artist might ask, 'What happens if I add more texture?' allowing the artwork to self-answer questions through experimentation.
Self-Inquiry Questions
A set of fundamental questions (Who, What, When, Where, Why?) artists ask themselves to understand their process, make intentional choices, and deepen their artistic exploration.
Example:
Before starting a new series, an artist might ask, 'Why am I making this art?' to clarify their self-inquiry questions and purpose.
Time Management
The strategic planning and control of the amount of time spent on specific activities, particularly important for pacing oneself during exams or portfolio creation.
Example:
During the AP exam, the student practiced effective time management by allocating specific minutes to each section, ensuring they completed all questions.