Shape is one of the Elements of Art
In the visual arts, shape is a flat, enclosed area of an artwork created through lines, textures, colors or an area enclosed by other shapes such as triangles, circles, and squares. Likewise, a form can refer to a three-dimensional composition or object within a three-dimensional composition.
So there are SHAPES and then FORM.
Let's talk about Shape first
Shapes are flat and enclosed. That means if you were to draw a weird circular line where one end did not meet the other, it's NOT a shape. In order for an object to become a shape, both ends must meet to ENCLOSE the shape. Shapes are also only limited to Length and Width. There are two types of Shapes.
Shapes can be used to create art
Now let's talk about Form vs. Shape
Let's clear this up quickly. Shapes are flat and 2-D, Forms have volume and are 3-D. That's it! Ok a little more information. We said shapes have length and width, well forms have length, width, AND HEIGHT.
This is a Shape.
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This is a Form.
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Always remember that shapes are flat/2D.
They are limited to Organic and Geometric. |
Forms will always have volume - L, W, and H.
They are 3D and you may know them as 3D shapes (this is what your classroom teacher may call them, which now you know the difference, doesn't really make sense, because a shape cannot be 3D). |
These are your basic Forms
Now I know what you are thinking...how do artists use Form in their work?
Well that's a good question. Artists can use form in two main ways. In paintings or drawings, for instance, form is implied because it's an illusion of three dimensions. With sculpture, on the other hand, form is real because it takes up three-dimensional space. Visual artists use light and shadow effects to create the illusion of three-dimensional form. Let's take a look at some artists.
Creating the Illusion of Form in drawings takes talent
this is Victor Vasarely. He's known as the leader of the Op Art movement
Look at this sphere and skull drawing. This artist applied a range of value to create the illusion of form. Artists use this technique to make their drawings/paintings appear more realistic.
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The easiest example of Form is Sculpture
Sculptures are 3D, occupy space and have L, W, & H |
When talking about Sculpture there are two types of Form
There are Open Form and Closed Form sculptures. Open form means sculptures that are not solid masses but which literally have openings in them, or in which lines and planes often replace solid volumes or enclosing surfaces; thus the open (negative) space of a sculpture becomes a major component of the work. On the other hand, a closed-form has a similar feeling to the traditional form of a solid opaque mass. Even if spaces exist within the form, they are contained and confined. A closed-form has an inward-directed focus on the form, itself, isolated from ambient space. Here are some examples to help you visualize.
Closed Form sculpture examples
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Open Form sculpture examples
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