EoA_ShapesForms

8/4/2019 EoA_ShapesForms

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Elements of Art

Shape and Form


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Shape and Form

Shape and form define objects in space.

Shapes have two dimensionsheight and

widthand are usually defined by lines.

Forms exist in three dimensions, with height,

width, and depth.


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Shape

Shape has only heightand width. Shape isusually, though notalways, defined by line,which can provide itscontour. In this image,rectangles and ovalsdominate the

composition. Theydescribe the architecturaldetails for an illusionistceiling fresco.


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Form

Form has depth as wellas width and height.Three-dimensional form

is the basis of sculpture,furniture, anddecorative arts. Three-dimensional forms canbe seen from more than

one side, such as thissculpture of a rearinghorse.


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Categories of Shapes

Artists and designers use various types of

shapes and forms to create their finished

products.

Shapes fit easily into two basic categories:

Geometric

Organic


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Geometric Shapes

Precise and sharply defined

Circles, squares and triangle

Often see such shapes in architecture Many manufactured and handmade products are

based on geometric shapes

In nature honeybees make combs whose cells are

in the shape of a hexagon and an orange

resembles the form of a sphere


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Geometric shapes and forms

Geometric shapes and

forms includemathematical, namedshapes such as squares,

rectangles, circles, cubes,spheres, and cones.Geometric shapes andforms are often man-made.However, many natural

forms also have geometricshapes. This cabinet isdecorated with designs ofgeometric shapes.


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Organic Shapes

Reflect the free-flowing aspects of growth

Often curved or rounded and appear in a variety

of informal and irregular shapes

The form of a pear is organic

So too is the shape of a maple leaf


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Organic shapes and forms

Organic shapes and

forms are typically

irregular or asymmetrical.

Organic shapes are oftenfound in nature, but man-

made shapes can also

imitate organic forms.

This wreath uses organic

forms to simulate leaves

and berries.


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Curved Shapes

Shapes that are curved are graceful

Because the eye rapidly sweeps along them

without interruption, they tend to implymovement


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Angular Shapes

Angular shapes, on the other hand are

straight-edged

When you look at angular shapes, your eyesmove along the shape and stop momentarily

where one shape connects with another.


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Positive and Negative Shapes

Whether it is a painting, sculpture, building or

photograph it is made up of positive and

negative shapes

Positive shapes are the tangible, actual

aspects of a design.

In painting or drawing, they often represent solid

forms, such as a bowl of fruit in a still life.

In sculpture the positive shapes are the solid

forms of the sculpture itself.


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Negative shapes are the areas that either

surround the positive shapes or exist betweenthem.

In still-life painting, they are the area around the

bowl of fruit. Between fruit forms, or in the

background.

In sculpture, the negative shapes are the empty

spaces around and between the solid forms.


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Positive and negative

shapes are equallyimportant

Successful design is

one that carefully

balances both

Sculpture and

silhouettes present a

strong contrast

between positive and

negative shapes.


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Qualities of Shape

Shapes and forms also have different qualities

Your sense of sight can tell you if a shape is pleasing to

look at

Touch and sight will tell you about a forms surface

and weight

Through sight, touch, taste, and even hearing its

crunch, you know that an apple is hard and crisp

Being aware of appearances such as perceived

weight, surface quality, and position will help you

portray shapes and forms convincingly in your designs


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Light and Heavy Shapes

There is a striking difference between the

perceived weight of a cloud and that of a

boulder

An artist must understand how to convey qualities

such as lightness and heaviness

Soft floating clouds require a lighter touch with subtle

blending or blurring of edges Rock and boulders demand a strong, hard quality.


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Thomas Moran

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, 1872Smithsonian Institution


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Smooth and Textured Shapes

Is the surface flat and

reflective like a pane of

glass? Or rough and

pitted like tree bark? The speed of your

observation is slowed

by a textured surface,

such as an intricately

knitted sweater or the

shell of a turtle.


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Smooth surface reflects

light easily, and thereflections can be very

bright.

Heavily textured

surfaces tend to absorblight, thereby reflecting

far less.

Light strongly affects the surface qualities of a shape


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Static and Dynamic Shapes

The position of a shape or form is importatntand might suggest rest and stability or afeeling of energy and movement. Shapes that

are in either a vertical or a horizontal positionwill appear to be standing still or resting;these shapes are static. Leaning or diagonalshapes suggest falling, running, or climbing.

These shapes appear to be active, or dynamic.Dynamic shapes are associated with change ormovement.


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Static v. Dynamic

Static Shapes

Static shapes in a combination

of vertical trees and a

horizontal stream imply quiet

and calm. Convey permanence and

power.

The static shapes of this

ancient temple display a sense

of solidity and immovability;such constructions announced

to all that the great pharaohs

who built them were to be

obeyed and respected


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Static v. Dynamic

Dynamic Shapes

Artists use dynamic shapes to

achieve a more active feeling.

Notice the curved and fluid

shapes The shapes produce an

atmosphere of movement and

change; the figures seem to be

whirling across the paper. Soft

watercolors and light pencillines underneath add to the

airiness of the design.


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Pattern

Repeated shapes and

forms also create

patterns. On this

manuscript page, therepeating organic floral

shapes create a pattern.


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Pattern

In this photograph,

geometric shapes and

lines are repeated to

create a pattern.


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Light and Form

Both artificial and natural light have an

enormous effect on shapes and forms

Bright sunlight can create dark shadows and

glaring highlights

As the sun sets or go behind a cloud, crisp, well-

defined landforms change to dark, flat shapes


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Angle of light also helps define the forms we

see.

An overhead source of light usually creates

shorter shadows and can make surface textures

indistinct.

A source form one side will lengthen and distortthe shadows, calling attention to details of surface

texture.


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On rounded or curved forms, light creates

gradual changes and shadows. The brightest and darkest areas are separated

from one another by many gradations of light.

On angular and sharp-edged forms however,

the changes, can be sudden.

The brightest highlight may appear right next to

the darkest shadows.


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Light is a powerful part of design

It has a strong impact on both the shapes and

forms that you see and reproduce in your art

An understanding of light and shadow is

critical to the mastery of form.


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Review Questions

1. Define shape and form. Give an example ofshape and a related form.

2. What is the difference between a geometric

and an organic shape. Give an example ofeach?

3. What are positive and negative shapes?

4. List six qualities of shapes. Use thosequalities to describe the art you used for the+/- space exercise.

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