2. Characteristics of Op Art Op Art is a term used as an abbreviation of ‘optical art’ to refer to painting that exploits the illusions or optical effects of perceptual processes. In the viewers mind, Op Art gives the illusion of movement and vibration, swelling or warping through geometric forms. The artist manipulates light, color fields or repeats patterns of line in order to produce visual illusions. The effects can sometimes be disorienting.