Shape

See highlights and high-quality resources for advanced investigations.

Shape (an element of visual art and design) is defined as a two or more dimensional area that stands out from the space next to or around it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of differences of value, color, or texture.   Shapes are recognizable objects and forms and are usually composed of other elements of design...— WikiPedia

Shape at oogle Arts & Culture

Introduction

  • Shape: an Element of Art & Design.

Organinc Shapes

  • Natural Shapes Found in Nature

Geometric Shapes

  • 3D Forms with Volume

Open Shapes

  • Dots to Create Value & Texture

Closed Shapes

  • Lines to Create Smooth Values

Positive & Negative

  • The Figure & Ground Relationship

Shapes Into Forms

  • 3D Shapes with Volume

Shapes & Meaning

  • Contour Curves to Create Outlines

Identify & Practice

  • Shapes Techniques Example
Organic Shapes

Organic Shapes

  Organic shapes consist of any shape that is not created with strict angles with lines that do not conform to mathematics and geometry.   All that is truly needed to draw an organic shape is some form of writing or drawing utensil, like a pencil, pen, or paintbrush.   These kinds of shapes convey a sense of naturalness and freedom that the other types of shapes do not cont... — Study.com

Next, we will learn about "geometric" shapes.

Geometric Shapes

Geometric Shapes

  A geometric shape consists of the geometric information which remains when location, scale, orientation and reflection are removed from the description of a geometric object.   That is, the result of moving a shape around, enlarging it, rotating it, or reflecting it in a mirror is the same shape as the original, and not a distinct shape... — WikiPedia

Next, we will learn about "open" shapes.


Open Shapes

  An open shape is defined as a shape in which the line segments or curves do not connect at their ends.   Above are a few examples of open shapes.

Next, we will learn about "closed" shapes.


Closed Shapes

  A closed shape is defined as a shape that starts and ends at the same point.   In other words, a closed shape does not have an open end.   Above are some examples of closed shapes.

Next, we will learn about "positive and negative" shapes and figure ground relationships.

Day and Night, woodblock detail, by M.C. Escher

Shape & Space
Positive & Negative

40+ Striking Works of Art That Creatively Make the Most of Negative Space:

As an experimental yet age-old approach to art, using negative space is a creative way to depict subject matter and craft intriguing compositions. By unexpectedly employing the untouched space surrounding the central figure or object of a work of art, artists can create pieces that are both aesthetically balanced and eye-catching.

Next we will investigate shape and form.


Shape & Form

  Form (in this context) is described as any three-dimensional object... measured from top to bottom (height), side to side (width), and from back to front (depth).   Form is also defined by light and dark...— Form defined by WikiPedia     Learn how to turn flat two-dimentional shapes into the illusion of three dimensional forms

Next, we will practice identifying different types of shapes with M.C. Escher.

Day and Night, woodblock detail, by M.C. Escher

Identify Shapes
M. C. Escher

Day and Night, 1938, woodblock detail by M.C. Escher, located at Hague, Netherlands, the Palacewhite.  Black birds fly over a Dutch landscape.   The white birds fly to the right, through the night.   From this dark sky, black birds emerge, flying to the left into the day.   In a vertical movement, at the point where the birds meet, they gradually transform into the fields that make up the landscape.   As the basis for this metamorphosis, Escher used a tessellation.   This is a motif whose outer lines connect seamlessly on all sides and can be repeated endlessly.   Escher calls tessellation “the richest source of inspiration” he has ever tapped into... Escher in the Palace


ARTIST'S WEBSITE   GALLERY   BIO

Next, we will practice identifying different types of shapes with M.C. Escher.

M. C. Escher

Day and Night

1938, woodblock detail, M.C. Escher's unique take on Dutch landscape, melting reality through tessellations. — Dulwich Picture Gallery

M. C. Escher

The Art of the Impossible I
The Art of the Impossible II

...marvelling at his intuitive brilliance and the penetrating light it still sheds on complex mathematical concepts.—Sir Roger Penrose

Vue Fine Art & Design Youtube Cover & Detail of Lyons Cathedral in France

Resources
Linked Info, Audio, Visual +

Below, is a small sample of information links coordinated with video playlists.   Each link and video thumbnail takes you to the category on the Resource page.   Once there, activate the links.   Resources

Creative Commons Public Domain
0 1.0 Universal 0 1.0) License


Materials
Art Supplies +

  Arteza

  Art Supply Warehouse

  Cheap Joe's Art Stuff

  Dick Blick

  Hobby Lobby

  Jerry's Artarama

  Michael's

  U.S. Art Supply

  Utrecht



  The Home Depot

  Lowe's Home

  Home at Menards

Development & Maintenance
Shelly Solberg

© Vue Fine Art & Design