A Visual Arts Teacher,
Photographer and Practitioner Researcher
Art Vocabulary
& Analysis Tools
Build your artistic vocabulary and sharpen your analysis skills with these resources.
Elements of Art
(The Building Blocks of Visual Language)
These are the fundamental components used to create all works of art.
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Line – A continuous mark made on a surface; can be expressive, gestural, implied, or contour.
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Shape – A two-dimensional enclosed space; can be geometric (circles, squares) or organic (freeform).
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Form – A three-dimensional object or the illusion of three-dimensionality in a two-dimensional work.
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Color (Hue) – The perceived wavelength of light; includes primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
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Value – The relative lightness or darkness of a color or shade, affecting contrast and depth.
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Texture – The surface quality of an artwork, which can be actual (felt) or implied (suggested through technique).
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Space – The area within, around, or between objects in an artwork; includes positive and negative space, perspective, and depth.
*IB Tip: Use these elements to describe how an artist constructs their work and how they impact meaning.
Principles of Design
(How Elements Interact & Create Visual Impact)
These are the organizational strategies that guide composition and balance in artworks.
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Balance – The arrangement of visual elements to create stability; can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.
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Contrast – The use of opposing elements (light/dark, rough/smooth) to create emphasis or interest.
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Emphasis (Focal Point) – The area of an artwork that captures the viewer’s attention, often created through contrast or placement.
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Movement – The visual flow that directs the viewer’s eye through the artwork, often guided by line or rhythm.
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Rhythm – A repetition of elements that creates a sense of movement or pattern in an artwork.
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Proportion – The size relationship between different elements in an artwork, affecting realism and emphasis.
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Scale – The relative size of objects within an artwork, affecting impact and perception.
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Unity (Harmony) – The cohesion of elements within an artwork, creating a sense of completeness.
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Variety – The use of different visual elements to create interest and prevent monotony.
*IB Tip: Principles of Design help in writing visual analysis essays—think about how artists organize their compositions to communicate meaning.
Media & Techniques Vocabulary
(Materials & Artistic Approaches)
These terms describe the tools and processes artists use to create their work.
Drawing
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Graphite – A carbon-based drawing material that allows for shading and fine detail.
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Charcoal – A soft, smudgable medium that creates deep blacks and expressive marks.
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Ink – A liquid-based medium used for controlled, sharp lines or expressive washes.
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Cross-Hatching – A shading technique using intersecting lines to create depth and value.
Painting
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Acrylic Paint – A fast-drying, water-based paint known for its versatility and layering capabilities.
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Oil Paint – A slow-drying paint with rich blending properties, often used in classical techniques.
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Watercolor – A transparent paint activated with water, allowing for delicate washes and layering.
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Impasto – A painting technique where thick paint is applied to create texture and depth.
Printmaking
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Etching – A printmaking process where acid is used to carve a design into a metal plate.
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Lithography – A technique where an image is drawn onto a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then inked and printed.
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Screen Printing – A stencil-based process where ink is pushed through a mesh screen to create bold, graphic designs.
Sculpture & 3D Art
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Additive Sculpture – A technique where material is added to create a form (e.g., clay modeling).
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Subtractive Sculpture – A technique where material is carved or removed to reveal the final form (e.g., stone carving).
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Assemblage – A form of sculpture where found objects are combined to create new compositions.
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Relief Sculpture – A sculptural technique where figures are raised from a flat background.
Mixed Media & Digital Art
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Collage – The use of cut or torn materials layered together to create new imagery.
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Photomontage – A composition made by combining multiple photographic images.
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Digital Manipulation – The use of software (Photoshop, Procreate) to alter or enhance images.
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AI-Generated Art – Artwork created using artificial intelligence algorithms.
*IB Tip: When writing about your Process Portfolio, clearly state the materials and techniques you experimented with to show technical development.
Additional Critical & Theoretical Art Terms
These terms are crucial for writing Comparative Studies and Process Portfolio reflections in IB Visual Arts.
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Aesthetics – The study of beauty and artistic principles.
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Artistic Intent – The meaning, message, or purpose behind an artwork.
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Context – The historical, social, and cultural background influencing an artwork.
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Iconography – The use of symbols and imagery in art to convey meaning.
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Juxtaposition – Placing contrasting elements together to create meaning or tension.
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Perspective – The technique used to create the illusion of depth (e.g., linear, atmospheric).
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Saturation – The intensity of a color, affecting its vibrancy.
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Subject Matter – The primary focus or theme of an artwork.
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Symbolism – The use of visual elements to represent deeper meanings.
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Vanitas – A symbolic still-life genre reflecting themes of mortality and impermanence.
* IB Tip: Use these critical terms to strengthen the analysis in your Comparative Study and reflections in your Process Portfolio.
How to Use This Glossary in IB Visual Arts
For Students: Use these terms in your Comparative Study, Process Portfolio reflections, and artist statements to enhance your analysis.
For Teachers: Provide students with keyword exercises, mini-research tasks, or exit slips to reinforce vocabulary.
For Assessments: Examiners look for precise and appropriate use of terminology in IB Visual Arts submissions.
How to Describe & Analyze Artworks
Step-by-step techniques for writing strong visual analyses.
Basic Description (What Do You See?)
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Identify the artist, title, medium, date, and dimensions.
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Describe what is visually present in objective terms (no interpretation yet).
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Example: "The painting depicts a stormy sky over a small fishing village, with a dramatic contrast of light and shadow."
Formal Analysis (How is It Made?)
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Use Elements of Art & Principles of Design to analyze the composition.
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Look at techniques: brushwork, texture, layering, perspective, lighting.
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Discuss how these contribute to mood, meaning, or storytelling.
Interpretation (What is the Message?)
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What themes or emotions does the artwork convey?
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How does it connect to history, culture, social issues, or personal experiences?
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Example: "The dark clouds and rough brushstrokes evoke a sense of unease, suggesting a turbulent moment in the artist’s life."
Contextual Analysis (Why Was It Created?)
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Research the artist’s background, artistic influences, and historical period.
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How do cultural, political, or technological factors affect the artwork?
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Example: "This painting was created during the Renaissance, a time when artists were rediscovering perspective and realism."
Personal Reflection (Why Does It Matter?)
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How does this artwork connect to your own artistic journey?
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What questions or emotions does it provoke?
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Example: "This artwork makes me rethink the use of shadows in my own compositions. I want to explore how light can create mood in my work."
*IB Tip: Use this structure when writing artist statements, Comparative Studies, or reflections in your Process Portfolio.
Color, Composition & Symbolism in Art
Art is a powerful means of communication, and three fundamental elements—color, composition, and symbolism—play a critical role in how artistic messages are conveyed and interpreted. Whether through the emotional resonance of color, the intentional arrangement of visual elements, or the deep cultural significance of symbols, these components guide both the artist’s creative choices and the viewer’s interpretation.
Color in Art
Color theory is a foundational aspect of visual arts, influencing perception, mood, and meaning. It is essential in aesthetic organization, psychological impact, and symbolic representation.
Color Properties
Hue: The name of the color (red, blue, yellow, etc.).
Value: The lightness or darkness of a color.
Saturation (Chroma): The intensity or purity of a color.
Psychological and Cultural Associations of Colors
Different cultures attribute varying meanings to colors, shaping their use in art and design. Below are key color associations across different cultures:
Color Symbolism in Art History
Color has played a vital role in the history of art, influencing emotions, narrative, and symbolism across different time periods and artistic movements.
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Composition in Art
Composition refers to how elements are arranged within an artwork to create balance, movement, and emphasis.
Principles of Composition
Symbolism in Art
Symbolism enhances meaning in art by using objects, colors, and figures to represent ideas beyond their literal form.
Recognizable Symbols in Different Cultures
Below is a global list of symbols along with their meanings:
References for Symbolism:
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Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. (1957)
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Cirlot, Juan Eduardo. A Dictionary of Symbols. (1962)
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Cooper, J.C. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols. (1978)
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Jung, Carl. Man and His Symbols. (1964)
Symbolism in Art Movements:
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Symbolism (19th-century movement): Artists like Gustav Klimt (The Kiss) and Edvard Munch (The Scream) used vivid symbols to express deep emotions.
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Surrealism: Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory (1931) uses melting clocks to signify the fluidity of time.
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Indigenous & Folk Art: Aboriginal dot paintings depict dreamtime stories, while Andean textiles encode historical narratives.
Understanding color, composition, and symbolism allows artists to craft visually compelling and culturally significant works. Whether using color to evoke emotion, composition to guide the eye, or symbols to convey meaning, these elements ensure that art remains a profound and universal form of communication.
For IB Visual Arts students, analyzing how and why artists use these elements is crucial when exploring comparative studies, process portfolios, and exhibition works. By investigating historical and cultural contexts, students can create informed, thought-provoking works that resonate with a global audience.