shape
https://austinkids.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/666px-picasso_three_musicians_moma_2006.jpg?w=510&h=459
Shapes are enclosed spaces, whose edges and boundaries are defined by other elements of art, such as line, value, and color. Shapes are only two-dimensional and are therefore only measure by width and length as they have no height or depth. There are three types of shapes: Geometric, Biomorphic, and Amorphous.
Geometric shapes are those you find in geometry and have a mathematical basis, such as squares, circles, and triangles.
Geometric shapes are those you find in geometry and have a mathematical basis, such as squares, circles, and triangles.
http://papsearlyyears.blogspot.com/2014_01_01_archive.html
Biomorphic shapes, sometimes called organic shapes, are those that represent living things or are inspired by nature, usually just the outline of living objects. Think silhouettes of people, animals, plants, fruit, etc. Biomorphic shapes rarely have straight edges and are generally more curved than geometric shapes.
Here is are a few images depicting the differences between geometric and organic shapes:
Amorphous shapes do not have clear edges or are very vague in what they are intended to be. Amorphous shapes are common in impressionist and abstract work.These types of shapes are almost never found in three-dimensional work or forms. Look at the Impressionist Art Study: Monet by Anatebelle. Notice how the edges of the different shapes aren't clear - you aren't really sure where they end, particularly in the leaves. There is no clear shape that the colors and lines form either. Additionally, look at this untitled horse by Mark English. Yes, a horse is a shape. However, look at the actual shapes the create this horse. They are very ambiguous, none specific shapes that do not really represent anything except to add to the overall concept.
http://antebelle.deviantart.com/art/Impressionist-Art-Study-Monet-396205472
http://markenglishonline.com/horses/2017/5/22/98aqnt6lhvady7s0pvelrcz5ezclk8
There are also multiple ways in which shapes can vary. One way is the type of edges they have. Shapes can have hard edges, very clearly defined and harsh, or soft edges, mostly clearly defined but smooth and kind of hazy. Here is an image that shows the transition between hard and soft edges:
http://viziblr.com/news/?currentPage=12
Another is if they are real or implied. Real shapes are the shapes most of us think of. Implied shapes, like implied lines, are made up of different parts that make our eyes see a shape that isn't really there.
Here is an example of an implied shape:
http://non-art-teacher-designs.blogspot.com/2012/01/implied-free-form-shapes.html
There are also positive shapes and negative shapes. Positive shapes are the shapes that represent an object taking up space. The object is shown, and the space around, through, and behind the object are blacked out or faded. A negative shape is the shape or shapes formed by the negative space around or through an object. We will discuss these concepts more when we deal with space. For now, here are some examples that demonstrate the differences between positive and negative shapes. Assume for these images that positive shapes are white. Look at the first pair of images. The positive shape forms a candlestick and the negative space forms the profiles of two faces. Now look at second image. The positive shape forms a woman's face and the negative shape forms a man playing a saxophone.
Images are both from: https://ahs2015art.wordpress.com/major-projects/negative-space/
Like texture, all the shapes used within artwork are intentional and serve a purpose. One purpose may be to represent an object, such as a person, lamp, or apple. Where the artist places certain shapes can also foster movement and emphasis in a piece of art. For example, an arm can direct the viewer's eye where to go next, so the positioning of that shape is important. Furthermore, shapes that are bigger tend to draw the viewer's eye. Look at these examples. In The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali, notice how the rectangular arm of the tree directs the eye toward the middle of the painting by tapering to being a little thinner on the end toward the middle. Also, the oval shape of the clock on this limb draws the eye down by its shape alone. Secondly, look at Migrant by Jeff Jordan. Your vision is drawn to the frog even though areas of the painting are in bolder colors.
What these videos to review: