1. Shape is an element of Art & Design
ElEmEnts of Art
The Elements of Art are the building blocks
for a work of art.
Artists use the elements
in planned and organized ways.
They are organized
according to the Principles of Design.

2. Implied line
• Our eyes read edges of the
object (the lemon) as implied
lines. There isn't a line that
really marks the edge of it.
The dots and short lines also
create implied lines moving
across the page.
• In this painting there is a
major implied line created a
circle shape in the middle of
the picture. Notice the title,
what do you think the circle
has to do with what this artist
is trying to communicate to
you? Does the title give you
any hints?

3. • Notice this 3-dimensional
organic form of the cow in
the first image.
• The cow becomes more
abstract because it
becomes geometric but is
still 3-D looking.
• Then it becomes flat 2-
dimensional shapes that
one can still see as an
abstract cow.
• And the fourth stage is
simply geometric shapes
inspired by a cow.

4. • Shape is an area enclosed
by line, or seen as an area
because of color or value
Shape
changes.
• Shapes have 2-dimensions.
• They can be geometric or
organic.
• This abstract painting has
three people that are
simplified into an
arrangement of flat shapes.
The artist used a variety of
shapes in creating the
painting that sort of fits
together like a puzzle.
• Large, medium & small
shapes
• Geometric & organic shapes
• Flat & patterned shapes
• Dark & light shapes
• Positive & negative shapes
• Outlined & unoutlined shapes

6. Shape vs. Form – what is the difference?

7. Form
Forms are 3-dimensional and they
occupy space.
They can also give the illusion
that they occupy the space in the case of
2-dimensional art.

8. 1.
Geometric Shapes / Rectilinear
Shapes..
Most rectilinear shapes can be
also called geometric shapes
however one a couple of them
are not. These are circles and
ovals.
Geometric shapes are usually
man-made. The only natural ones
I can think of are crystals and
honey combs.
2.
Organic Shapes / Curvilinear.
They are all curving and flowing
therefore we call them
curvilinear shapes.
Sometimes they can be called
organic shapes. We can include
circles and ovals.
These are usually natural
shapes. Think of leaves, animal
shapes, and plant shapes.

9. Positive and Negative Shapes
Figure / ground interaction

12. • format edge?
• figure?
• positive shape?
• ground?
• negative shape?
• geometric shape?
• organic shape?

13. Ambiguous
figure/ground
interactions

14. Gestalt Principles of Design
- ‘Closure’
- Perceiving an edge that is
not there at all!

15. Positive and Negative Shapes
• All shapes are either positive
or negative. The subject
matter is the representational
objects and are usually
positive (like the sheep
below). The background
(black area) is the negative
shape in the composition.
• In non-objective art, the
positive shapes are usually
the central, featured
elements and the negative
shapes surround them.

16. • format edge?
• format shape?
• figures?
• positive shapes?
• ground?
• negative shapes?
• geometric shapes?
• organic shapes?

17. • format edge?
• figure?
• positive shape?
• ground?
• negative shape?
• geometric shape?

18. Checklist:
• positive shapes
• negative shapes
• geometric shapes
• organic shapes
• patterned shapes
• textured shapes
• plain shapes
• high contrast between some shapes
• low contrast between other shapes
• bright shapes
• dull shapes

19. SUMMARY OF POSTER
ACTIVITIES
Arrange your own illustrations and
content (theory) in a balanced and
aesthetic manner.
1. Meaning (definition) of
SHAPE & FORM
2. Implied line / edge /
virtual line / guideline
3. Actual / real line / A contemporary imbhenge
outline
4. Geometric / 7. Positive and negative shapes
rectilinear shapes (figure / ground interaction)
5. Organic / curvilinear 8. Theory analysis of a
shapes contemporary imbhenge
6. Shape and illusions of 9. Compositional sketch of a
form (2-D & 3-D?) painting.

20. What is an imbhenge?
Research the ‘Aesthethic-
Usability Effect’
Beautiful things work better
Symmetry is another principle of
Art.
Make a diagram to show the
radial symmetry of this
imbhenge.
A contemporary imbhenge
How exact is it? Use a protractor
to check.
Discuss how the artist uses
• Colour and shape together.
• Use the terminology you have learnt.

22. Artist Théodore Gericault,
uses organic shapes, but with
a triangular composition.
Although there are many
shapes in this artwork, the
artist seems to focus on a
triangular shape throughout.
The sitting position of the
figure implies a large triangle.
Then there are smaller
triangular shapes in the bent
of his arm, in the bottom half
of his draped robe, and in the
lapel of his shirt.
And there are many more.
Can you identify more of
them?
Activity:-
Make a compositional sketch
of this painting

23. Open Form vs. Closed Form
•Open form sculptures and
pottery have negative space
openings through the piece.
Pottery is open form only if it
has holes through it. The
opening of a pot/vessel does
not make it an open form.
•Closed Form sculptures and
pottery have no negative
space/form piercing through it.
What are these examples of?

24. • This sculpture involves curvilinear forms on
a smooth surface. These are actual forms,
that is, it's a photograph of the sculpture
anyway.
• On the right, are diagrams of the sculpture
that look like forms on a flat, 2-dimensional
surface.
• The first image show the shape of the
rounded stone but it becomes a form, an
implied form, when it is shaded.
• The next illustration shows the overlapping
of the organic forms.
• The last illustration shows the movement
through the sculpture. The movement is
caused by the open areas that lead the
viewers eyes to the taller forms.