Shape is an area that is enclosed by line.
Shape and form define objects in space. Shapes have two dimensions—height and
width—and are usually defined by lines. Forms exist in three dimensions, with
height, width, and depth.
SHAPE
FORM
2-D
3-D
W.Kandinsky
Shape has only height and width.
Shape is usually, though not always,
defined by line, which can provide
its contour.
R.Magritte
Klodt
Form has depth as well as width and height. Threedimensional form is the basis of sculpture, furniture,
and decorative arts. Three-dimensional forms can
be seen from more than one side
© juliannakunstler.com
There are 2 types of shapes/forms:
Geometric
Organic
Organic shapes and forms are
free-flowing and typically irregular
or asymmetrical.
Organic shapes are often found in
nature, but man-made shapes can
also imitate organic forms.
Geometric shapes and forms
include mathematical, named
shapes such as squares,
rectangles, circles, cubes,
spheres, and cones.
© juliannakunstler.com
Geometric Shapes
Geometric Shapes are sharply defined.
Many are easy to recognize, such as circles, squares, and triangles.
We often see such shapes in architecture.
Many manufactured and handmade products are based on geometric
shapes.
Nature shows us some geometric shapes and forms too.
Honeybees make combs whose cells are in the shape of a hexagon,
and an orange resembles the form of a sphere.
David Smith, “Cubi”
Organic Shapes
Most natural objects have organic shapes.
There are 2 types of organic shapes
1. Amorphic – Free from
2. Biomorphic – Ones you can name.
Amorphic
Free form, cloud like shapes Amoeba
These rock formations have been shaped by
natural forces such as wind and water
Joan Miro’ (1893-1983) Series Black and
Red
How would you describe the various
shapes that Miro’ uses in this work?
Dan May
Biomorphic Shapes
Shapes you can name.
Curved and Angular Shapes
Angular Shapes
Angular shapes are straightedged.
They suggest strength and
regularity.
When you look at angular
shapes, your eyes move along
the shape and stop momentarily
where one shape connects with
another.
These meeting or opposing
shapes add a sense of tension
to a design. If an angular shape,
for instance, leans to one side, it
might suggest movement.
Notice the Similarities between
these cylinders and the roots.
The intertwining of these roots makes strong
angular shapes.
William Tucker (b. 1935,
Untitled, 1967
Angular Shapes
Shapes/Forms can be:
Positive
Negative
Shapes (forms) that you create - the
actual object
Background in your drawings, empty
space around your created forms
© juliannakunstler.com
Positive and
Negative Shapes
Popayan (Cauca) Pendant figure
with headdress, 1000-1600AD)
Anna Atkins (1799-1871) Pink
Lady’s Slipper, 1854
Positive and negative shapes are equally important.
Sometimes negative shape becomes positive
Sometimes it's hard to tell them apart
© juliannakunstler.com
Same as lines, shapes and forms can represent emotions and
different concepts
Curved shapes are graceful
Leaning position of shapes
suggests movement
blocks are solid and
stable
inverted pyramids or
cones are unstable
Angular shapes suggest structural
strength
© juliannakunstler.com
Qualities of Shape
1. Light and Heavy Shapes
2. Smooth and Textured
Shapes
3. Static and Dynamic Shapes
Understanding a shape’s quality or appearance, you can
use your senses.
Light and Heavy
There is a striking difference in
the perceived weight of a cloud
and that of a boulder. To draw or
construct shapes effectively, an
artist must understand how to
convey qualities such as
lightness and heaviness. Soft,
floating clouds usually required a
lighter touch, with a subtle
blending or blurring of edges.
Rocks and boulders, on the
other hand, demand a strong,
hard quality.
Light and Heavy
Compare the two
paintings by Dan May
Smooth and Textured
Shapes
Another important quality of
a shape is its surface.
Light strongly affects the
surface qualities of a shape.
A smooth surface reflects
light easily, and the
reflections can be very
bright. A heavily textured
surface tends to absorb
light, thereby reflecting far
less.
Surrealism Style: Meret Oppenheim (1913-1985) Object,
1936
Static and Dynamic Shapes
The position of a shape or form is important
and might suggest rest and stability or a feeling
of energy and movement.
Static
Shapes that are in either a vertical or a
horizontal position will appear to be standing
still or resting; these shapes are static.
Mola Lesson, Noel Cole
Abstract Lesson, Noel Cole
Leaning or diagonal
shapes suggest falling,
running, or climbing. The
shapes appear to be
active, or dynamic.
Dynamic shapes are
associated with change or
movement.
Dynamic
The United Airlines terminal at
Chicago’s O’Hara International
Airport uses dynamic shapes to
create an eye-catching show for
travelers
Michael Hayden (b. 1943). Sky’s
the limit, 1987, Neon Tubes and
mirrors.
Charles Demuth (18821935), Three Acrobats,
1916, Watercolor
Communicating Ideas through
Shape Using Associations
An important thing to remember is that artists
look for associations they can make with
shapes in order to communicate their ideas.
The examples on the pages of this slide
presentation are only a few examples to help
you get a feel for how artists do this.
Never Ending - A circle doe not have a
beginning or an end. This inherent property
can be used to symbolize eternal, endless,
immortality, ageless, etc.
Full - Things such as balloons or pillows
become rounded as they are filled. Thus a
circle can suggest complete, whole, opulent,
etc.
Perfect – In a true circle the edge or line is
always equidistant from the exact center.
This quality can represent complete, whole,
exact, flawless, immaculate, absolute, etc.
Soft – A circle is made up of a curving line.
This quality might represent smooth,
graceful, feminine, comfort, etc.
Circles
Ellipse
Balance – An ellipse has
much the same qualities
as a circle. However,
because its shape is
longer and more
symmetrical, it may
communicate
equilibrium, stability,
symmetry, etc.
– An ellipse has a
long and short axis. Its shape
appears harmonious. It can
suggest accord, grace,
unison, elegance, etc.
Harmony
Oval
Egg – An oval is similar to
an ellipse, but it looks more
like an egg (ovum) and can
suggest such things as
nature, life, mortality, birth,
inherent, etc.
Hope – During the
Renaissance the oval was
the symbol for hope in
Jesus Christ and the
resurrection. It can suggest
peace, solace, comfort, etc.
Target – Concentric circles are
like targets and can suggest
such things as aim, focus,
concentrate, condense,
surround, enclose, encircle,
entrance, hypnotize, etc.
Tunnel – Concentric circles
sometimes suggest lines of a
tunnel or tube. (Some people
get a feeling of falling into a pit
or hole.)
Hypnotic – They can suggest
restriction, confinement,
claustrophobia, entombment,
tension, stress, nightmare, etc.
Motion – They can appear to
rotate, spin, swirl, reel or revolve
and can portray a sense of
being dizzy, light-headed, etc.
Concentric Circles
Honest – The phrase “square
deal” is used to mean an
honest deal; thus a square
can suggest being correct,
having integrity, etc.
Strong – A square or
rectangle is a common shape
for buildings; thus a square
can suggest solidity, security,
stability, firmness, etc.
Confinement – Fences often
enclose a square or
rectangular area; thus a
square can suggest being
confined, having limits, etc.
Earth – The square was a
symbol for the earth during
the Renaissance.
Squares
Rectangle
Direction – A rectangle is longer than a square
and its axis is more apparent. Because of its
shape the axis can show direction or movement.
Opening – A rectangle is the shape for many
openings such as a door or window. It can
suggest a portal, entry, or entrance.
Amorphous
Weak – Things such as jelly and
amoebas have amorphous,
undefined or formless shapes.
Amorphous shapes can suggest
things such as feeble, flimsy,
faint, etc.
Liquid – Paint or ink spills typically
have amorphous shapes and can
suggest accident, stain, spill,
runny, flood, etc.
A Ghost – Ghosts or apparitions
are typically portrayed as having
amorphous or formless shapes.
Phantoms, spirits, and spooks
can have amorphous shapes.
They can appear to flow, run
wiggle, move creep , quiver, etc.
Vertical
Support – Vertical shapes are
associated with strength and
support because columns are used
to hold up buildings. They can
suggest strength, balance, etc.
Classic – When vertical shapes are
associated with Greek buildings
having columns and pediments,
such as the Parthenon, they can
suggest dignity, stateliness,
stillness, noiseless, timeless,
ageless, resistance to change,
classic etc.
Upright – Because people stand
upright, vertical shapes are
associated with life, uprightness,
integrity, firmness, etc.
Horizontal
Rest – Horizontal shapes may be associated with
rest, since humans sleep lying down. It can also
suggest death, as a final rest.
Silence – Horizontal shapes may be associated
with, rest, sleep, quietness, serenity, peace, etc.
Speed – With appropriate visual cues such as
automobiles or arrows, horizontal shapes can
suggest speed, motion, swiftness, etc.
Diagonal
Action – Diagonal shapes
can be associated with
motion and action, because
things such as running
people, falling trees, and
lightning are on an angle
when they are in motion.
Instability – Diagonal
shapes can be associated
with imbalance, misfortune,
chaos, agitation, etc.
Triangles
Strength – A triangle resting on its
base suggests great stability
because a triangle in this position
would be difficult to overturn.
Timelessness – a triangle is the
shape of the pyramids and can
suggest things such as timeless,
ageless, unchanging, permanent.
Can you count the number of triangles?
Inverted Triangle
Unstable – A triangle sitting on one point is very
unstable and is likely to fall over. It can suggest
instability, weakness, dread, imbalance, fear,
caution.
Jagged
Energy – Jagged
shapes look like
electricity and can
suggest energy,
electricity.
Anxiety – These kinds
of shapes can be used
to portray anxiety,
tension, fear, dread,
suspense.