AP Drawing · Unit 2
Composition, Perspective, and Space: every key term you need (+ practice quiz)
34 flashcard terms for AP Drawing Unit 2, written to match the course framework. Study them here, then drill them as interactive flashcards, or test yourself with the 18-question quiz — free, no account needed.
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Composition The deliberate arrangement of elements within the picture plane; in AP Drawing it is a scored drawing skill alongside mark-making and light.
Picture Plane The flat surface of the drawing, imagined as a window between the viewer and the subject.
Format The shape and orientation of the drawing surface (portrait, landscape, square, panoramic); choosing format is a compositional decision.
Cropping Cutting forms at the edge of the frame; where a figure meets the border creates tension and can push the viewer into the image.
Rule of Thirds Placing focal points near the intersections of a 3x3 grid to avoid static, dead-center compositions.
Focal Point The area of greatest visual emphasis, created by contrast, detail, edge sharpness, or convergence of lines.
Visual Hierarchy Ordering elements so the eye reads primary, secondary, and tertiary areas in a controlled sequence.
Balance Distribution of visual weight; symmetrical balance feels formal, asymmetrical balance feels dynamic.
Visual Weight How strongly an element attracts attention, increased by size, dark value, contrast, detail, and isolation.
Rhythm and Repetition Repeated shapes, marks, or intervals that move the eye and unify a composition.
Unity and Variety A composition needs enough repetition to hold together and enough difference to stay interesting.
Figure–Ground The relationship between positive forms and negative space; ambiguous figure–ground can be an intentional device.
Tangent An accidental point where two edges just touch or align, flattening space; usually avoided by clear overlap or separation.
Overlap The simplest depth cue: an object partly covering another is read as in front.
Relative Size Objects appear smaller as they recede; consistent size diminution creates believable depth.
Placement on the Picture Plane Objects placed higher on the page (toward the horizon) generally read as farther away.
Linear Perspective A geometric system in which parallel lines converge to vanishing points on the horizon line to construct believable space.
Horizon Line The line at the viewer's eye level; all vanishing points for horizontal lines lie on it.
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Vanishing Point The point on the horizon where a set of parallel receding lines appears to meet.
One-Point Perspective One vanishing point; used when a face of the object is parallel to the picture plane, as in a hallway or road.
Two-Point Perspective Two vanishing points on the horizon; used when the viewer faces the corner of an object.
Three-Point Perspective Adds a third vanishing point above or below the horizon so verticals converge; used for worm's-eye or bird's-eye views.
Orthogonals The receding lines in a perspective drawing that run to a vanishing point.
Ellipse in Perspective A circle seen at an angle; the ellipse gets rounder as it moves farther from eye level and flattens near the horizon.
Atmospheric Perspective Distant objects appear lighter in value, lower in contrast, cooler in color, and softer-edged because of air between viewer and subject.
Foreshortening The apparent compression of forms that project toward or away from the viewer; drawn by trusting observed shapes over known lengths.
Eye Level and Viewpoint Where the viewer stands relative to the subject; a low viewpoint monumentalizes, a high viewpoint flattens and maps.
Ground Plane The surface on which objects sit; consistent treatment of the ground plane anchors forms in space.
Depth Cues Overlap, size, placement, detail, value contrast, and linear/atmospheric perspective together create the illusion of space.
Shallow vs. Deep Space Compositions may compress space (flat, frieze-like) or open deep recession; both are valid, purposeful choices.
Thumbnail Sketches Small, quick compositional studies (often 2–3 inches) used to test several arrangements before beginning a finished drawing.
Viewfinder A cut-out frame held up to the subject to test cropping and format before drawing.
Leading Lines Edges or directional marks that guide the eye toward the focal point.
Golden Ratio A proportional system (about 1:1.618) historically used to place focal points and divide compositions harmoniously.
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