Spatial Puzzles (Equivocal Space) (42)

Equivocal Space
-an ambiguous space in which it is hard to distinguish the foreground from the background
-your perception seems to alternate from one to the other

-the mirror like image makes it hard for the viewer to see what it the background/foreground

-the transparent sails are very confusing! you can't quite tell which boat is in the back or in the front

Amplified Perspective (40)

Amplified Perspective
-a dynamic and dramatic illusionistic effect created when an object is pointed directly at the viewer

Illusion of Space by Linear Perspective (39)

Linear Perspective
-a spatial system used in two-dimensional artworks to create the illusion of space
-it is based on the perception that if parallel lines are extended to the horizon line, they appear to converge and meet at a common point, called the vanishing point

Illusion of Space by Atmospheric Perspective (38)

Aerial/Atmospheric Perspective
-the perception of less distinct contours and value contrasts as forms recede into the background
-colors appear to be washed out in the distance or take on the color of the atmosphere
-"atmospheric perspective can be simply described: as colors go into the distance, two things happen. First, they become cooler (the atmosphere colors them), and they get lighter in value. A dark shadow in the distance is never as dark as the shadow at your feet"

Illusion of Space by Vertical Location (37)

Vertical Location
-a spacial device in which elevation on the page or format indicates a recession into depth
-the higher an object, the farther back it is assumed to be

-the chick in the back seems farther away even though they are on a flat piece of paper

Illusion of Space by Overlapping (36)

Overlapping
-a simple device for creating an illusion of depth

-the balls overlapping gives the illusion of depth/space
-since they overlap you can't tell exactly how much space is between them
-if they were lined up in a row the illusion of depth would be gone

-by stacking the hands on top of each other the depth is hard to judge but the viewer knows that it is there as opposed to just one set of hands

Scale Confusion (35)

Scale Confusion
-the deliberate changing of natural scale is not unusual in painting
-some artists use scale changes intentionally to intrigue or mystify us rather than to clarify the focal point
-surrealism
-presentation of the irrational world of the dream or nightmare-recognizable elements in impossible situations




-the baby is in proportion to the hand but in reality a fully formed baby would not be the size of a human hand

Unity with Variety (23)

Unity with Variety
-"Unity and variety are complementary concerns. Unity is the appearance or condition of oneness. In design, unity describes the feeling that all the elements in a work belong together and make up a coherent and harmonious whole. When a work of art has unity, we feel that any change would diminish its quality."
-"Variety, on the other hand, provides diversity. Variety acts to counter unity. The sameness of too much unity is boring, and the diversity of uncontrolled variety is chaotic, but a balance between unity and variety creates life."





-in both of these images the objects in the images are the same yet are painted/designed differently which makes unity with variety

Value as Emphasis (16)

Value Emphasis
-when a light and dark contrast is used to create a focal point within a composition
-a visual emphasis or "starting point" is often desired
-a thematically important character or feature can be visually empnasized by value contrast

-the white/bright white against the dark background instantly attracts the viewer's eye which makes the focal point, in the piece, an obvious one

Value as Pattern (15)

Value Pattern
-the arrangement and amount of variation in light and dark values independent of any colors used
-when value contrast is minimized and all the values are within a limited range with only small variation,the result is a restrained, subtle effect
-the impression is one of understatement, whether the value range is limited to lights (high key is a term used often) or darks (low key)

Curvilinear Shapes (14)

Curvilinear
-rounded and curving forms that tend to imply flowing shapes and compositions

Rectilinear Shapes (13)

Rectilinear
-composed of straight lines

Nonobjective Shapes (12)

Nonobjective
-a type of artwork with absolutely no reference to, or representation of, the natural world
-the artwork is reality

Abstraction (11)

Abstraction
-a visual representation that may have little resemblance to the real world
-abstraction can occur through a process of simplification or distortion in an attempt to communicate an essential aspect of a form or concept

Distortion (9)

Distortion
-a departure from an accepted perception of a form or object
-distortion often manipulates established proportional standards

Naturalism (8)

Naturalism
-the skillful representation of the visual image, forms, and proportions as seen in nature with an illusion of volume and three-dimensional space
-the depiction of realistic objects in a natural setting

Illusion of Motion by Multiple Image (46)

Multiple Image
-a visual device used to suggest the movement that occurs when a figure is shown in a sequence of slightly overlapping poses in which each successive position suggests movement from the prior position

Illusion of Motion by Blurred Outline (45)

Blurred Outline
-a visual device in which most details and the edges of a form are lost in the rapidity of the implied movement

Illusion of Motion by Repeated Figure (44)

Repeated Figure
-a compositional device in which a recognizable figure appears within the same composition in different positions and situations so as to relate a narrative to the viewer
-multiple forms
-portrays larger/bigger segments of time



-this may pass for multiple image but it helps give the idea of what "repeated figure" would look like

Anticipated Motion (43)

Anticipated Motion
-the implication of movement on a static two-dimensional surface caused by the viewer's past experience with a similar situation



The plane is a still photograph the viewer's eye most likely looks up in order to continue the motion.



This boy is ready to dive into the water. His arms stretched out, head down, and floaties all give the viewer the idea that he is getting ready to dive.

Absence of Focal Point (32)

Absence of Focal Point
-patterns that have a theme don't need focal points
-instead of having a focal point some artists choose to give an overall idea/feeling with repetitive design or related items in their piece

Degree of Emphasis (31)

Degree of Emphasis
-"emphasis or dominance of an object can be increased by making the object larger, more sophisticated, more ornate, by placing it in the foreground, or standout visually more than other objects in a project. The primary focus point or area receives the largest emphasis in a room. Emphasis hierarchy avoids style confusion"

-"focal points may serve to attract and/or distract. Some compositions may allow one element to be so overwhelmingly dominant, that we almost miss other detail. Other times, the focal point has the role of attracting attention so that we then take more time to absorb the remaining elements of the piece"

-primary, secondary, tertiary (focal point)

Emphasis by Placement (30)

Emphasis by Placement
-if many elements point to one item, our attention is directed there, and a focal point results
-redial design (example-all forms radiate from the convergent focus, so they also repeatedly lead our eyes back to this central element




This is a good example of radial design. The pencils/markers all point to the "smiley face" the same goes for the "smiley face". The placement of the "smiley face" is in the center of the image and the center of the pencils/markers.

Emphasis by Isolation (29)

Emphasis by Isolation
-the focal point is isolated in a way from the rest of the piece
-sometimes by a barrier,space, or even by value (light/dark)



The viewer's eye is drawn to the glass in the corner of the image. While the glass is associated with the other items it becomes the focal point, isolated image, since it is set off to the side with nothing right beside it.

Emphasis by Contrast (28)

Emphasis by Contrast
-helps the viewer recognize the focal point
-focal point results when on element differs from the others
-whatever interrupts the overall feeling or pattern automatically attracts the eye by the difference

-the elements that contrast with, rather than continues, the prevailing design scheme becomes the focal point
-color is an element often used to achieve emphasis by contrast
-a change in color or brightness can immediately attract attention



This image consists of all rectangular objects and one circle. The circle becomes the focal point since it is the only object in the image without any corners. The focal point is obvious in the piece.