A line is the path left by a moving point. For example, a pencil or a brush dipped in paint.

A line can take many forms. It can be horizontal, diagonal or curved. It can also change over its length, starting off curved and ending up horizontal, for example.

A line can be used to show many different qualities, such as:

Contours – showing the shape and form of something
feelings or expressions – a short, hard line gives a different feeling to a more flowing one
movements

This refers to the lightness or darkness of something. This could be a shade or how dark or light a colour appears.

Tones are created by the way light falls on a 3D object. The parts of the object on which the light is strongest are called highlights and the darker areas are called shadows. There will a range of tones in between the highlights and shadows.

Red, yellow and blue are primary colours, which means they can’t be mixed using any other colours. In theory, all other colours can be mixed from these three colours.

Two primary colours mixed together make a secondary colour. Tertiary colours are created by mixing a primary colour and the secondary colour next to it on the colour wheel.

To analyse art means more than just describing it. Students must move beyond the obvious and add perceptive, personal insight.

Students should demonstrate higher order thinking – the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise information and ideas. For example, if colour has been used to create strong contrasts in certain areas of an artwork, students might follow this observation with a thoughtful assumption about why this is the case – perhaps a deliberate attempt by the artist to draw attention to a focal point, helping to convey ideas relevant to their theme.

Pots and other articles made from clay hardened by heat.

A ceramic is any of the various hard, brittle, heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials made by shaping and then firing an inorganic, nonmetallic material, such as clay, at a high temperature. Common examples are earthenware, porcelain, and stoneware.

The slab roll technique involves rolling out clay to an even thickness – usually 1 cm – then cutting shapes, folding, bending, manipulating to form a finished object.

Relief is a sculptural technique in which the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background of the same material.

To make minor changes to the artwork so as to improve or clarify the end result.

Many people make mistakes when drawing faces because they don’t fully understand facial proportions. Proportion refers to the relationship in size and placement between one object and another. There are many formulas that one can adapt to draw the facial features in the correct location.

A line or set of lines enclosing or indicating the shape of an object in a sketch or diagram.

A simple needlework stitch consisting of a line of small even stitches which run back and forth through the cloth without overlapping.

A method of sewing with overlapping stitches.

A landscape is the visible features of an area of land, its landforms, and how they integrate with natural or man-made features, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal

A circle with different coloured sectors used to show the relationship between colours.

An artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.

Complementary colors are two colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel. Simultaneous contrast occurs due to a natural illusion when you place two complementary colors next to one another. Both colors will appear brighter and grab a viewer’s attention.

The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, which is typically microscopic and consists of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a membrane.

Pots and other articles made from clay hardened by heat.

Experimenting in art: Understanding the properties of different materials and how they might be used can help you make effective choices in art and design work.

Be open-minded when experimenting. Don’t be afraid to try things. Even if something is unsuccessful, you will have shown that you have tried and learned valuable lessons.

Choice of materials and technique will affect the style of your work. Try different materials to find out which you enjoy working with, and which produce effects you are interested in.

Create or represent (something) by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques.

Shapes are two-dimensional. Positive shapes represent solid objects and negative shapes show the surrounding space. Geometric shapes are perfect and regular. Organic shapes are irregular and natural.

Geometric shapes are mathematical shapes. They are perfect and regular. They are characterised by straight lines, angles and points.

An exception to this would be a perfect circle as it has no straight lines or points. Other geometric shapes are squares, rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, hexagons etc.

A piece of art made by sticking various different materials such as photographs and pieces of paper or fabric on to a backing.

The arrangement of elements within a work of art.

A design or form carved in relief on a block of linoleum.

The activity or occupation of making pictures or designs by printing them from specially prepared plates or blocks.

Decorate or cover (a surface) with a pattern of repeated shapes, especially polygons, that fit together closely without gaps or overlapping.

Make (something) more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features.

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed.

A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.

Political art has been a part of the social landscape of the world for centuries. Art has always been used as a way to reflect society and shed light on issues of the day.

Ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric are sewn or stuck on to a larger piece to form a picture or pattern.

A person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

Many people make mistakes when drawing faces because they don’t fully understand facial proportions. Proportion refers to the relationship in size and placement between one object and another. There are many formulas that one can adapt to draw the facial features in the correct location.

Tonal shading refers to the lightness or darkness of an object. It is done by setting down various strengths of shading to demonstrate where an object is affected by the light and shadows.

A piece of art made by sticking various different materials such as photographs and pieces of paper or fabric on to a backing.