In the visual arts, shape is a flat, enclosed area of an artwork created through lines, textures, or colours, or an area enclosed by other shapes, such as triangles, circles, and squares.[1] Likewise, a form can refer to a three-dimensional composition or object within a three-dimensional composition.[2]
Specifically, it is an enclosed space, the boundaries of which are defined by other elements of art. Shapes are limited to two dimensions: length and width.
Form
A form is an artist's way of using elements of art, principles of design, and media. Form, as an element of art, is three-dimensional and encloses space. Like a shape, a form has length and width, but it also has depth. Forms are either geometric or free-form, and can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Categories
Geometric and organic
Geometric shapes are precise edged and mathematically consistent curves,[citation needed] they are pure forms and so consist of circles, squares, spirals, triangles, while geometric forms are simple volumes, such as cubes, cylinders, and pyramids.[3] They generally dominate architecture, technology, industry and crystalline structures.
In contrast, organic shapes are free-form, unpredictable, and flowing in appearance. These shapes and organic forms visually suggest the natural world of animals, plants, sky, sea, etc... The addition of organic shapes to a composition dominated by geometric structures can add unpredictable energy.[4]
Bell-shaped flowers
Positive and negative
A positive shape is a shape, that has details inside it, such as an outline of a human, with body features. Contrarily, a negative shape is a shape without any details; it's just an outline.
Representation
A shape that is representative is created by the flattening out of three-dimensional objects. [5] Nothing is actually geometric, but can be interpreted as such by breaking it down to shapes that, when put together, form a recognizable silhouette.[5]
^ abFisher, Mary; Zelanski, Paul (1996). Design Principals and Problems. San Antonio: Harcourt Brace College Publishers. p. 90. ISBN0-15-501615-6.
Further reading
Gatto, Porter, and Selleck. Exploring Visual Design: The Elements and Principles. 3rd ed. Worcester: Davis Publications, Inc., 2000. ISBN0-87192-379-3
Stewart, Mary (2006). Launching the imagination : a comprehensive guide to basic design (2 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN0-07-287061-3. OCLC58422580.
