Line
path of movement
active - passive
bold - delicate
flowing - light
straight - curved
thick - thin
dark - light
broken - continuous
geometric - organic
implied - actual
precise - irregular
contour - outline
calligraphy
caricature
Shape/Form
2D-3D
solid - void
concave - convex
positive - negative
figure - ground
ambiguous - complete
organic - geometric - free-form
circle - sphere
square - cube
triangle - pyramid-cone
Space
2D-3D
positive – negative
open – closed
filled – empty
actual – implied
interior – exterior
scale
orientation
spacing
illusion of space
systems of perspective
Light/Color/Value
Visible color spectrum
Color wheel
value
shading
contrast
chiaroscuro
tint
shade
hue
pigment
primary
secondary
intermediate
neutral
color interactions
simultaneous contrast
color schemes
warm
cool
neutral
monochromatic
analogous
complementary
split complementary
triad
intensity
bright – dull
high key – low key
local
optical (or atmospheric)
symbolic
Texture
actual (tactual) – visual
simulated – invented
matte – semi-gloss – glossy
techniques
impasto
rubbings
frottage
grottage
decalcomania
tromp l’oeil
Balance
symmetrical
asymmetrical
radial
Rhythm, Movement
types
regular
alternating
progressive
flowing
jazzy
dominant path of movement
vertical
horizontal
diagonal
curving
Proportion
life-size
monumental
miniature
Golden Section or Mean
scale
caricature
normal – exaggerated – idealized
Emphasis
by dominance
by focal point
by center of interest
by isolation
by size
by contrast
by converging lines
Pattern
repetition
motif (2D)
module (3D)
allover
Unity and Variety
by repetition
by simplicity
by harmony
by theme and variation
by proximity
by continuity
by contrast
How to Critique an artwork