Shape and form (visual arts)
In the visual arts, shape is a flat, enclosed area of an artwork created through line, texture, colour or an area enclosed by other shapes.[1] Likewise, a form can refer to a three-dimensional composition or object within a three-dimensional composition.[2]
Contents
Shape
The outline of an object in a 2D view.
Form
A form is an artist's way of using elements of art, principles of design, and media. Element of art that 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.
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, as well as 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]
Rectilinear and Curvilinear
Definitions:
Rectilinear- characterized by straight lines.
Curvilinear- consisting of or bounded by curved lines: a curvilinear figure.
Examples:
Rectilinear- http://mathworld.wolfram.com/RectilinearCrossingNumber.html
Curvilinear- http://www.marklaurence.com/articles/discourse_on_curves.html
Positive and Negative
A positive shape is a shape, that has details inside it, such as an outline of a human, with body features. While, a negative shape is a shape without any details; it's just an outline.
Representation
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See also
References
- ↑ NIU School of Art Vocabulary URL accessed December 15, 2008
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Further reading
- Gatto, Porter, and Selleck. Exploring Visual Design: The Elements and Principles. 3rd ed. Worcester: Davis Publications, Inc., 2000. ISBN 0-87192-379-3
- Stewart, Mary, Launching the imagination: a comprehensive guide to basic design. 2nd ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2006. ISBN 0-07-287061-3
