Critical Art Vocabulary

Vocabulary words deemed critical are verbs like “analyze,” “synthesize,” “compare,” and “contrast.” The National Core Visual Art Standards are filled with them.

Critical art vocabulary is more specific and focuses on: 

These words are critical to the understanding of art. Simply put, critical art vocabulary includes words and concepts that students should know and understand.

HERE’S A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF CRITICAL VOCABULARY WORDS FOR THE SUBJECT OF ART WITH DEFINITIONS TAILORED FOR GRADES K-5. I’VE BROKEN THE LIST DOWN BY GRADE LEVEL, WITH VOCABULARY GRADUALLY INCREASING IN COMPLEXITY AS THE GRADES PROGRESS.

🎨 KINDERGARTEN – GRADE 1 VOCABULARY
THESE WORDS FOCUS ON BASIC CONCEPTS, SHAPES, AND COLORS.

LINE – A MARK MADE BY A TOOL THAT MOVES ACROSS A SURFACE.

SHAPE – A FLAT AREA MADE BY LINES THAT COME TOGETHER (LIKE A CIRCLE OR SQUARE).

COLOR – WHAT WE SEE WHEN LIGHT BOUNCES OFF AN OBJECT (LIKE RED, BLUE, OR YELLOW).

TEXTURE – HOW SOMETHING FEELS (SMOOTH, ROUGH, BUMPY).

PATTERN – A DESIGN THAT REPEATS OVER AND OVER.

FORM – A SHAPE THAT LOOKS 3D, LIKE A BALL OR CUBE.

SPACE – THE AREA AROUND OR BETWEEN OBJECTS.

ART – USING CREATIVITY TO MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.

DRAW – TO MAKE MARKS WITH A PENCIL, CRAYON, OR MARKER.

PAINT – TO USE COLORS WITH A BRUSH ON PAPER OR CANVAS.

 

🎨 GRADE 2 – GRADE 3 VOCABULARY
THESE WORDS BEGIN INTRODUCING ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF ART.

VALUE – HOW LIGHT OR DARK A COLOR IS.

BALANCE – MAKING SURE THINGS LOOK EVEN OR EQUAL IN AN ARTWORK.

CONTRAST – USING VERY DIFFERENT COLORS OR SHAPES TO MAKE THINGS STAND OUT.

SYMMETRY – WHEN ONE SIDE OF AN ARTWORK LOOKS THE SAME AS THE OTHER SIDE.

COLLAGE – ART MADE BY STICKING DIFFERENT MATERIALS ONTO A SURFACE.

SCULPTURE – A THREE-DIMENSIONAL PIECE OF ART MADE BY SHAPING OR CARVING.

PORTRAIT – A PICTURE OF A PERSON’S FACE.

LANDSCAPE – A PICTURE OF NATURE, LIKE MOUNTAINS, TREES, OR WATER.

ABSTRACT – ART THAT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE REAL THINGS BUT USES SHAPES, COLORS, AND LINES.

OVERLAPPING – WHEN ONE OBJECT IS PLACED ON TOP OF ANOTHER IN ART.

 

🎨 GRADE 4 – GRADE 5 VOCABULARY
THESE WORDS EXPLORE MORE COMPLEX CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES.

PERSPECTIVE – A WAY OF MAKING THINGS LOOK 3D AND SHOWING DEPTH IN A PICTURE.

COMPOSITION – HOW THE PARTS OF AN ARTWORK ARE ARRANGED.

PROPORTION – THE SIZE OF ONE PART OF SOMETHING COMPARED TO ANOTHER.

EMPHASIS – MAKING ONE PART OF THE ARTWORK STAND OUT MORE.

UNITY – MAKING ALL PARTS OF THE ARTWORK FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG TOGETHER.

MEDIUM/MEDIA – THE MATERIALS USED TO CREATE ART (PAINT, CLAY, ETC.).

TECHNIQUE – THE WAY AN ARTIST USES TOOLS AND MATERIALS.

HORIZON LINE – THE LINE WHERE THE SKY MEETS THE GROUND.

FOREGROUND – THE PART OF THE PICTURE THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE VIEWER.

BACKGROUND – THE PART OF THE PICTURE THAT IS FARTHEST AWAY.

NEGATIVE SPACE – THE EMPTY SPACE AROUND AND BETWEEN OBJECTS.

MOVEMENT – MAKING THE VIEWER’S EYE MOVE THROUGH THE ARTWORK.

CONTRAST – THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARK, OR DIFFERENT COLORS OR TEXTURES.

ANALOGOUS COLORS – COLORS THAT ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON THE COLOR WHEEL.

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS – COLORS THAT ARE OPPOSITE EACH OTHER ON THE COLOR WHEEL.

 

🎨 BONUS WORDS (ALL GRADES)
THESE TERMS CAN BE INTRODUCED DEPENDING ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE LESSON:

ARTIST – A PERSON WHO CREATES ART.

MASTERPIECE – A WORK OF ART THAT IS CONSIDERED AMAZING.

MOOD – THE FEELING THAT ARTWORK GIVES.

INSPIRATION – AN IDEA THAT HELPS AN ARTIST CREATE SOMETHING.

CRITIQUE – TALKING ABOUT AND GIVING FEEDBACK ON ARTWORK.