1.2 Shape

Shapes are the building blocks of drawing, defining objects and spaces. They come in various types, from geometric to organic, positive to negative, and open to closed. Understanding these distinctions helps artists create effective compositions and convey meaning.

Creating shapes involves techniques like line work, shading, and texturing. Artists use these methods to construct forms, define volumes, and add depth. Mastering shape creation allows for greater control and expressiveness in drawing, enabling artists to bring their visual ideas to life.

Types of shapes

• Shapes are fundamental elements in drawing that define objects, figures, and spaces
• Understanding the different types of shapes and their characteristics is essential for creating effective compositions and conveying meaning in drawings

Geometric vs organic shapes

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Top images from around the web for Geometric vs organic shapes

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  Organic versus Mechanistic Models | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

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  The Flowing Forms of Helaine Blumenfeld View original

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  Sacred Geometry Custom Shapes by merrypranxter on DeviantArt View original

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  Organic versus Mechanistic Models | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

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  The Flowing Forms of Helaine Blumenfeld View original

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• Geometric shapes have precise, regular forms and edges (circles, squares, triangles)
• Geometric shapes often appear man-made or artificial and can suggest order, stability, or rigidity
• Organic shapes have irregular, curving, or flowing forms that seem more natural and spontaneous
• Organic shapes are often associated with living things (leaves, clouds, human figures) and can evoke a sense of growth, movement, or fluidity

Positive vs negative shapes

• Positive shapes are the actual forms or objects in a drawing that are typically the main focus
• Positive shapes are usually enclosed by lines or edges and have a definite boundary
• Negative shapes are the empty spaces or background areas surrounding and between the positive shapes
• Negative shapes can be just as important as positive shapes in defining the composition and creating balance or tension

Open vs closed shapes

• Open shapes have gaps, openings, or implied edges that make the shape feel incomplete or unbounded
• Open shapes can suggest movement, energy, or continuation beyond the picture plane (a curved line, a partially obscured circle)
• Closed shapes have complete, uninterrupted edges that fully enclose an area
• Closed shapes often feel more stable, self-contained, or resolved and can draw attention to their interior space (a solid triangle, a silhouette)

Creating shapes in drawing

• Artists use various techniques and elements to construct shapes and define their forms, volumes, and textures
• Mastering these techniques allows for greater control and expressiveness in shaping the visual world of a drawing

Line and contour

• Lines can outline the edges and boundaries of shapes, creating contours that describe their forms
• Contour lines can be thick or thin, smooth or rough, continuous or broken to suggest different qualities of the shape
• Cross-contour lines can wrap around the surface of a shape to emphasize its three-dimensionality and volume

Light and shadow

• Shading techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, or blending can create the illusion of light falling on a shape
• Highlights, mid-tones, and shadows help define the shape's form, depth, and surface texture
• The interplay of light and shadow can dramatically alter the perception of a shape's structure and meaning (a sphere half in shadow, a face with strong contrasts)

Texture and pattern

• Applying various marks, lines, or dots to a shape's surface can create visual or implied textures
• Textures can suggest the tactile qualities or materials of a shape (rough stone, smooth glass, fuzzy fur)
• Patterns of repeated marks or shapes can add visual interest, rhythm, or symbolic meaning to a shape
• Textures and patterns can also help distinguish between different shapes or unite similar ones in a composition

Composing with shapes

• The arrangement and interaction of shapes within a drawing is a fundamental aspect of composition
• Thoughtful use of shapes can create visual interest, guide the viewer's eye, and convey the artist's intended message or mood

Shape as a design element

• Shapes can be used as building blocks to construct more complex forms or divide the picture plane into distinct areas
• The size, position, and orientation of shapes relative to each other and the frame can create visual relationships and hierarchies
• Combining, overlapping, or fragmenting shapes can generate new shapes and add depth or complexity to the composition

Balance and visual weight

• The distribution of shapes within a composition can create a sense of balance, stability, or dynamism
• Larger, darker, or more complex shapes tend to have greater visual weight and can act as anchors or focal points
• Arranging shapes symmetrically or asymmetrically can affect the overall balance and visual impact of the drawing

Repetition and variation of shapes

• Repeating similar shapes throughout a composition can create a sense of unity, rhythm, or pattern
• Varying the size, orientation, or details of repeated shapes can add visual interest and prevent monotony
• Juxtaposing contrasting shapes (large vs small, geometric vs organic) can create tension, depth, or narrative meaning

Perspective and shapes

• Perspective techniques help create the illusion of three-dimensional space and volume on a flat drawing surface
• Understanding how shapes appear to change based on their position and distance from the viewer is crucial for achieving realistic or expressive effects

Foreshortening of shapes

• Foreshortening occurs when a shape appears compressed or distorted due to its angle relative to the viewer
• Shapes that are tilted towards or away from the picture plane will have some parts appear shorter than they would if seen directly from the side
• Foreshortening can add depth, drama, or visual interest to a drawing (a hand reaching out, a building seen from above)

Overlapping and layering shapes

• Overlapping shapes can create the illusion of depth and suggest their relative positions in space
• Shapes that partially cover others will appear closer to the viewer, while partially hidden shapes seem further away
• Layering shapes at different depths can build a sense of space receding into the distance

Atmospheric perspective on shapes

• Atmospheric or aerial perspective refers to how shapes appear to change as they recede into the distance due to the effects of atmosphere and light
• Distant shapes often appear lighter, bluer, and less detailed than closer shapes due to the scattering of light by particles in the air
• Applying atmospheric perspective to shapes can enhance the sense of depth and space in a landscape or large-scale drawing

Emotional impact of shapes

• Beyond their formal qualities, shapes can also carry emotional, symbolic, or cultural associations that affect how viewers perceive and respond to them
• Artists can use the inherent meanings and connotations of shapes to evoke specific moods, ideas, or narratives in their drawings

Symbolic associations of shapes

• Certain shapes have acquired symbolic meanings through history, religion, or popular culture
• Circles may represent wholeness, unity, or cyclic time, while squares can symbolize stability, order, or human construction
• Triangles may be associated with hierarchy, spirituality, or dynamic energy, while organic shapes can suggest nature, femininity, or fluidity

Cultural context of shapes

• The interpretation and significance of shapes can vary across different cultural or historical contexts
• In some cultures, certain shapes may have specific religious, political, or social connotations (the Christian cross, the Islamic star and crescent)
• Being aware of the cultural context in which shapes are used can help artists communicate more effectively with their intended audience

Mood and feeling from shapes

• The characteristics and arrangement of shapes can evoke particular emotional responses or atmospheres in a drawing
• Angular, jagged shapes may suggest tension, aggression, or chaos, while rounded, flowing shapes can impart a sense of calm, harmony, or sensuality
• The overall composition and interaction of shapes can create a specific mood or feeling (a lonely figure in a vast landscape, a crowded city scene)

Combining shapes in drawing

• Artists often manipulate, transform, or combine shapes in creative ways to achieve desired effects or styles in their drawings
• Experimenting with different approaches to shaping forms can lead to unique artistic expressions and visual languages

Abstraction of shapes

• Abstracting shapes involves simplifying, exaggerating, or distorting their forms to emphasize certain qualities or evoke a specific response
• Abstracting shapes can create a sense of mystery, ambiguity, or emotional intensity in a drawing
• Abstract shapes may be more suggestive or symbolic than literal, inviting the viewer to interpret them subjectively

Stylization of shapes

• Stylizing shapes means rendering them in a distinctive, often simplified or decorative manner that reflects the artist's personal aesthetic or cultural influences
• Stylized shapes can give a drawing a particular look or feel associated with a certain artistic movement, genre, or individual style (Art Nouveau curves, graffiti-inspired angles)
• Stylization can also make shapes more iconic, memorable, or easily recognizable, as in logos or cartoon characters

Juxtaposition of contrasting shapes

• Placing shapes with opposing or complementary characteristics next to or overlapping each other can create visual interest, tension, or symbolism
• Juxtaposing geometric and organic shapes, angular and curved lines, or light and dark tones can suggest conflicts, dualities, or unexpected connections
• The interaction between contrasting shapes can guide the viewer's eye through the composition and convey a sense of narrative or conceptual meaning