Color Theory
Two colors that are opposite of each other on a color wheel (e.g. red and green, orange and blue, yellow and purple, etc).
What are complimentary colors?
The process of breaking down the body into basic shapes to easily create one (e.g. squares, cylinders, circles = torsos, pelvis, head).
What is using geometric shapes in anatomy drawings?
Knowing where the light is coming from, so you can easily find out where shadows go, and their shapes and sizes.
What is identifying the light source?
This the exact eye level of the viewer, whether looking up (worm’s eye view) or looking down (bird’s eye view).
What is the horizon line?
Dividing the canvas into a grid to place points of interests.
What is the rule of thirds?
Commonly reds, oranges, and yellows; adding energy, passion, action, and truly adds a pop.
Commonly blues, greens, and purples; adding calmness, tranquility, and professionalism, and truly tend to stay in the back.
What is mood setting with warm and cool colors?
Using a long, fluid line before adding details to track the spine and such, adding energy and action.
What is the gesture line?
The lightness or darkness of a color/tone (e.g. to make colors pop, you must push up contrast). This is using deep darks next to bright lights to create visual interest and dimension.
What are ranges of values?
This refers to the narrative/physical angle, which adds impact, scale, and focus.
What is a vantage point?
What is a point of view?
Distributing the visual weight of elements (e.g. symmetrically, asymmetrically, radially).
What is balance?
Tint: adding white to make it lighter and softer
Shade: adding black to make it darker and richer
Tone: adding grey to make it muted and subtle
What are forms of modifying colors?
When artists use eight of the character’s craniums to measure the height of the body.
What is the eight heads rule?
(Cross) hatching: using lines to create value
Blending: using tools to smooth things out
Strippling: using tiny dots to build up values
What are techniques?
Geometric lines that get smaller the farther away they are, mimicking human sight.
What are vanishing points?
Building visual tempo/harmony by using reoccurring elements, motifs, patterns.
What is rhythm and repetition?
Three evenly spaced colors on a wheel that bring a vibrant and balanced palette.
What are triadic colors?
The specific points of the body (e.g. collarbones, elbows, hip points) that do not shift.
What are bony landmarks?
Highlight: brightest point of object
Halftone: values that transition
Core shadow: darkest point
What are form values?
When a shape is in front of another, it appears closer and larger.
What is overlapping/sizing?
Using lines, shapes, and forms to guide the viewer across the artwork.
What is movement?
Colors next to each other on a wheel (e.g. red, orange, yellow) that bring a serene and cohesive feel.
What are analogous colors?
When the body moves, one side will pinch into folds, whilst the other side will stretch smoothly.
What is compression/stretch?
Following curved muscle contours when shading, to make art less flat and more 3D.
What is muscle wrapping?
This relies on color, contrast and clarity; objects further away appear lighter, hazier, and cooler (e.g. adopting the blue tint of the sky) to simulate distance between the subject.
What is atmospheric perspective?
A mathematical proportion (approximately 1: 1,618) that naturally balances elements, and draws the viewer’s eye through a frame/canvas to create deeply engaging and aesthetically pleasing results.
What is the golden ratio?