Art Appreciation · Exam Reviewer

Nature of Arts & Colour Schemes

Identification · Enumeration · Definition · Situational · Analysis

Part 1
Identification Identify what is being described. Click each item to reveal the answer.
Tip: These come directly from the lectures on the Nature of Art and Colour Schemes. Focus on definitions, philosopher names, artwork titles, and colour scheme types.
01This is the Latin root word of "Art," meaning "to make" or "to create."⌄
Answer
Artis / Ars
02According to this philosopher, "Art is that which brings life in harmony with the beauty of the world."⌄
Answer
Plato
03He defined art as "the whole spirit of man."⌄
Answer
Ruskin
04He defined art as "the medium by which the artist communicates himself to his fellows."⌄
Answer
Charleton Noyes
05These two scholars defined art as "anything made or done by man that affects or moves us so that we see or feel beauty in it."⌄
Answer
Collins and Riley
06This assumption of art states that art exists in every society across all cultures and periods of history, as old as human civilization itself.⌄
Answer
Art is Universal
07This assumption refers to art's ability to influence society by changing opinions, instilling values, and translating experiences — serving as the repository of a society's collective memory.⌄
Answer
Art is Cultural
08This assumption of art distinguishes human-made works from naturally occurring things, highlighting that art involves tool use, knowledge, and intentional creation.⌄
Answer
Art is Not Nature
09This assumption states that art creation must involve a personal and subjective link between the creator and the work — making it something of personal and knowledgeable value.⌄
Answer
Art as Experience
10This assumption states that at its root, art translates and creates meaning — expressing feeling, belief, and character. It expresses, acknowledges, reveals, transfers, and intervenes.⌄
Answer
Art is Expression
11This category of art is appreciated through the sense of sight, including two-dimensional graphic works (painting, drawing) and three-dimensional plastic works (sculpture, architecture).⌄
Answer
Visual Art
12This category of art is a product of talent and skills expressed in performance — such as theater, acting, dancing, and singing.⌄
Answer
Performing Art
13This category involves the application of design and decoration to everyday objects to make them aesthetically appealing. Examples include film making, photography, and fashion design.⌄
Answer
Applied Art
14A harmonious combination or set of colours that work well together is called this.⌄
Answer
Colour Scheme
15This colour scheme uses two colours directly opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red and green, yellow and purple, or orange and blue.⌄
Answer
Complementary Colour Scheme
16This colour scheme uses three colours — one colour and the two colours adjacent to its complement on the colour wheel.⌄
Answer
Split-Complementary Colour Scheme
17This colour scheme involves any three colours equidistant from each other on the colour wheel. Example: the three secondary colours — purple, green, and orange.⌄
Answer
Triadic Colour Scheme
18This colour scheme uses four colours — two pairs of complementary colours. For example: blue and orange paired with red and green.⌄
Answer
Tetradic Colour Scheme
19This colour scheme uses only one colour with its shades and tints. Picasso's "The Old Guitarist" is a classic example using only blue.⌄
Answer
Monochromatic Colour Scheme
20This colour scheme uses 3 to 5 colours lying adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. They are closely related, look pleasant together, and are regarded as harmonious.⌄
Answer
Analogous Colour Scheme
21This 1890 painting by Van Gogh used dominant red and green to portray a field of poppies — a complementary colour scheme example.⌄
Answer
"Field of Poppies" by Vincent Van Gogh, 1890
22This Picasso painting (1903–04) uses only shades and tints of blue — a well-known monochromatic colour scheme example.⌄
Answer
"The Old Guitarist" by Pablo Picasso, 1903–04
23This Marsha Kisling painting (2014) uses purple, green, and orange — a triadic colour scheme using the three secondary colours.⌄
Answer
"Low Country Colours" by Marsha Kisling, 2014
24This Van Gogh painting (1890) used blue, blue-green, and green to paint iris flowers — an analogous colour scheme example.⌄
Answer
"Irises in a Vase" by Vincent Van Gogh, 1890
25In the colour wheel, a primary colour is always opposite a ___ colour — the basis of the complementary colour scheme.⌄
Answer
Secondary colour
Part 2
Enumeration List the required items completely. Click to reveal the full answer.
Tip: The exact count matters. Learn the totals — 5 assumptions, 2 types of colour schemes, 6 specific schemes, 4 categories of art, 5 artist tasks.
01Enumerate the 5 assumptions of Art from the Nature of Arts module.⌄
Answer
  1. Art is Universal
  2. Art is Cultural
  3. Art is Not Nature
  4. Art as Experience
  5. Art is Expression
02Enumerate the 4 categories of Art discussed in the module.⌄
Answer
  1. Visual Art (Graphic and Plastic)
  2. Performing Art
  3. Literary Art
  4. Applied Art
03Enumerate the 2 types of colour schemes and all 6 specific colour schemes under each.⌄
Answer
Contrasting:
  1. Complementary
  2. Split-Complementary
  3. Triadic
  4. Tetradic
Related:
  1. Monochromatic
  2. Analogous
04Enumerate the 5 tasks of the artist discussed in the Nature of Arts module.⌄
Answer
  1. Shows the relationship of man to the environment
  2. Creates places for human purpose
  3. Creates extraordinary versions of ordinary objects
  4. Records and commemorates
  5. Gives tangible form to the unknown
05Enumerate the 4 definitions of Art by philosophers as listed in the module (give philosopher name and quote).⌄
Answer
  1. "Art is that which brings life in harmony with the beauty of the world." — Plato
  2. "Art is the whole spirit of man." — Ruskin
  3. "Art is the medium by which the artist communicates himself to his fellows." — Charleton Noyes
  4. "Art is anything made or done by man that affects or moves us so that we see or feel beauty in it." — Collins and Riley
06Name the 3 complementary colour pairs given as examples in the Colour Schemes lecture.⌄
Answer
  1. Red and Green
  2. Yellow and Purple
  3. Orange and Blue
07Enumerate the artworks and artists discussed under the Analogous Colour Scheme.⌄
Answer
  1. "Irises in a Vase" — Van Gogh (1890) — blue, blue-green, and green
  2. "Red Coconut" — Alison Chapman-Andrews (2012) — yellow, yellow-orange, orange, red-orange, and red
08Name the artworks and artists discussed under the Monochromatic Colour Scheme.⌄
Answer
  1. "The Old Guitarist" — Pablo Picasso (1903–04) — shades and tints of blue
  2. "Multifacets" — Denyse Ménard-Greenidge (circa 1982) — shades and tints of red
09Enumerate at least 5 subjects of art listed in the Nature of Arts module.⌄
Answer
Nature, people, emotion, places, animals, events, saints, churches, children, fruits, toys, landscapes, seascapes, religion(Any 5 from the full list is acceptable)
10Give all artworks discussed under Contrasting Colour Schemes — all 4 types combined.⌄
Answer
  1. Complementary: "Field of Poppies" — Van Gogh; "San Giorgio by Twilight" — Monet
  2. Split-Complementary: "Woman of Culture" — Stacey Byer; Artist Unknown (red, blue-green, yellow-green)
  3. Triadic: Secondary colours painting (artist unknown); "Low Country Colours" — Marsha Kisling
  4. Tetradic: "Liming" — Isaiah James Boodhoo (1998)
Part 3
Definition Define the following terms based on the module discussions. Include key details.
Tip: Use the exact language from the lectures where possible — especially the words "opposite," "adjacent," "equidistant," and "shades and tints" for colour scheme definitions.
01Define: Art (based on the module)⌄
Answer
Art comes from the Latin word artis/ars, meaning "to make/to create." It is an expression of one's creative imagination, beauty, and a combination of creativity (doing something with value or purpose) and imagination (being limitless). Art is also a piece of oneself and a form of communication.
02Define: Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
A colour scheme is a harmonious combination or set of colours that work well together. They are broadly classified into contrasting (colours opposite on the colour wheel) and related (colours adjacent or closely related on the colour wheel).
03Define: Complementary Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
A complementary colour scheme involves two colours located directly opposite each other on the colour wheel — such as red and green, yellow and purple, or orange and blue. On the colour wheel, a primary colour is always opposite a secondary colour.
04Define: Split-Complementary Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
A split-complementary colour scheme involves three colours: one base colour combined with the two colours adjacent to its complement on the colour wheel. Example: blue, yellow-orange, and red-orange.
05Define: Triadic Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
A triadic colour scheme involves any three colours that are equidistant (of equal distance) from each other on the colour wheel. Example: the three secondary colours — purple, green, and orange.
06Define: Tetradic Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
A tetradic colour scheme involves four colours — two pairs of complementary colours on the colour wheel. Example: blue and orange paired with red and green.
07Define: Monochromatic Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
A monochromatic colour scheme involves only one colour with its various shades (darker) and tints (lighter). It creates a unified, harmonious look. Example: Picasso's "The Old Guitarist" uses only shades and tints of blue.
08Define: Analogous Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
An analogous colour scheme involves 3 to 5 colours lying adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. They are closely related, look pleasant together, and are regarded as harmonious. Example: yellow, yellow-orange, orange, red-orange, and red.
09Define: Contrasting Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
A contrasting colour scheme uses two or more colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel, creating visual tension and strong contrast. Subtypes: complementary, split-complementary, triadic, and tetradic.
10Define: Related Colour Scheme⌄
Answer
A related colour scheme uses one or more colours that are closely related and lie next to each other on the colour wheel, creating harmony and visual comfort. Subtypes: monochromatic and analogous.
Part 4
Situational Read each artwork or situation, then identify the concept it illustrates.
Tip: For colour scheme questions, count the colours and check their position on the wheel — opposite = contrasting, adjacent = related.
01
ArtworkAn artist paints a seascape using only shades and tints of blue — from deep navy to pale sky blue — with no other colours.
What colour scheme is used? Contrasting or related?
⌄
Answer
Monochromatic colour scheme — only one colour with its shades and tints. It is a Related colour scheme.
02
ArtworkA painting features red flowers against a green field — two colours chosen to create strong visual contrast.
What colour scheme is this? Name a real artwork from the lecture that matches.
⌄
Answer
Complementary colour scheme — red and green are directly opposite on the wheel. Real artwork: "Field of Poppies" by Van Gogh (1890).
03
ArtworkStacey Byer's "Woman of Culture" (2010) uses blue, yellow-orange, and red-orange as dominant colours.
What colour scheme is this? Explain why.
⌄
Answer
Split-Complementary colour scheme. Blue is the base; its complement is orange. Yellow-orange and red-orange are the two colours adjacent to orange on the colour wheel.
04
ArtworkIsaiah James Boodhoo's "Liming" (1998) uses blue, blue-green, red-orange, and yellow-orange — two pairs of complementary colours.
What colour scheme is this?
⌄
Answer
Tetradic colour scheme — four colours in two complementary pairs.
05
ArtworkAlison Chapman-Andrews' "Red Coconut" (2012) uses yellow, yellow-orange, orange, red-orange, and red — colours flowing side by side on the colour wheel.
What colour scheme is this? Contrasting or related?
⌄
Answer
Analogous colour scheme — 5 adjacent colours on the wheel. It is a Related colour scheme.
06
SituationA street muralist creates a work telling his community's story. Viewers feel moved and connected because the art reflects their shared experiences and identity.
Which assumption of art does this demonstrate?
⌄
Answer
Art is Cultural — the mural influences society, instills values, and serves as the repository of a community's collective memory.
07
SituationA photographer captures destruction left by a typhoon. Years later, the image is displayed in a national museum so future generations can understand and feel its impact.
Which task of the artist is fulfilled?
⌄
Answer
"Records and Commemorates" — the photograph preserves a historical event for future generations.
08
SituationA student paints a sunset using purple, green, and orange — the three secondary colours picked from equidistant points on the colour wheel.
What colour scheme did he use? Contrasting or related?
⌄
Answer
Triadic colour scheme — three equidistant colours on the wheel. This is a Contrasting colour scheme.
09
SituationAn architect designs a church building as a space for worship, reflection, and community celebrations.
Which category of art does architecture belong to? Which task of the artist is fulfilled?
⌄
Answer
Architecture is Visual Art (Plastic — three-dimensional). Task fulfilled: "Creates places for human purpose."
10
SituationA sculptor creates a blindfolded figure holding scales to represent "Justice" — giving a visible, tangible form to an abstract concept.
Which task of the artist does this represent?
⌄
Answer
"Gives tangible form to the unknown" — the sculptor turns an abstract concept (justice) into a physical, visible artwork.
Part 5
Analysis Answer with explanation. Use specific terms and examples from the modules.
Tip: Analysis questions test whether you understand why — not just what. Always connect to module key ideas and include a concrete example.
01Why is art described as both timeless and always an experience? How do these two conclusions from the module relate to each other?⌄
Model Answer
Art is timeless because it transcends its period of creation — a painting from centuries ago still evokes emotion and communicates meaning today. At the same time, art is always an experience because its value lies not just in the object but in the personal and subjective connection between the artwork and each viewer. These ideas are connected: art stays relevant across time because every new viewer brings their own experience to it, generating new meaning continuously. Example: Picasso's "The Old Guitarist" (1903) still evokes loneliness and empathy in viewers today.
02Explain the difference between contrasting and related colour schemes, and discuss when an artist might choose one over the other.⌄
Model Answer
Contrasting colour schemes use colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel, creating visual tension, energy, and drama — they grab attention. Related colour schemes use adjacent or closely related colours, creating harmony, unity, and calm.

An artist chooses contrasting (like complementary red and green) to create strong visual impact — e.g., Van Gogh's "Field of Poppies." A related scheme (like analogous blues and greens) works when the goal is to convey peace or mood — e.g., "Irises in a Vase." The choice depends on the emotion and message intended.
03How does art reflect the assumption that "Art is Cultural"? Support your answer with a real-world Filipino or international example.⌄
Model Answer
"Art is Cultural" means art shapes and is shaped by its society — it influences opinions, instills values, and preserves collective memory.

Example: Juan Luna's "Spoliarium" (1884) — painted during Spanish colonization — depicted gladiators, used by Rizal as a symbol of Filipino oppression. It influenced nationalist sentiment and now stands in the National Museum as a cultural treasure. This shows how art serves as a powerful cultural and historical record of a people's identity.
04Analyze how Picasso's use of a monochromatic colour scheme in "The Old Guitarist" contributes to its emotional impact. What would change if he used a triadic or tetradic scheme?⌄
Model Answer
Picasso used only shades and tints of blue — psychologically associated with sadness, isolation, and melancholy. Restricting the painting to one colour family intensifies the sense of despair and loneliness the emaciated guitarist embodies. It removes distraction and forces emotional focus.

A triadic scheme (adding red and yellow) would create energy and balance, reducing the sadness. A tetradic scheme with four colours would feel vibrant and complex — contradicting the somber mood entirely. This proves colour schemes are powerful tools for communicating emotion, not just decoration.
05The module states "Art is not nature" yet art often depicts nature. How do you explain this? What makes a painting of a tree different from the tree itself?⌄
Model Answer
"Art is not nature" does not mean art cannot depict natural subjects — it means art is distinguished by human intention, skill, and knowledge. A real tree grows through biology with no purpose. A painting of a tree involves conscious choices: what colours to use, what angle, what emotion to evoke, what tools to employ — all reflecting human creativity.

Example: Van Gogh's "Irises in a Vase" depicts flowers (nature) but his deliberate use of an analogous colour scheme and expressive brushwork transforms it into a personal expression and cultural artifact. The painting is not a copy of nature — it is an aesthetic experience that separates art from nature.