Art and Design Vocabulary 

What are some of the important terms we aim for children to know and apply to their art? Here are a few examples and definitions of some of the important elements, but you will see other examples in our vocabulary progression document referenced later on this art page:

Tone: This refers to the relative lightness/darkness of a colour. One colour can have an infinite number of tones.

Pattern: A design in which lines, shapes, colours or forms are repeated. The part that is repeated is called a motif.

Form: The term from has two meanings: it can refer to the overall form taken by the work- its physical nature. Or, within a work of art, it can refer to the element of shape among the various elements that make up the work.

The formal elements of tone, shape, colour, line, form, texture and pattern are all taught through our art curriculum.