ELEMENTS
OF SHAPE
DESIGN
- is a two-dimensional area
confined by an actual line
or implied line (an edge for
example). In drawing
Shape shapes are created when
the ends of lines are joined
to enclose areas.
• Can be described using
mathematical terms
• They are very regular or
precise
Geometric
• They are more often found
Shapes in man-made things
because they are easier to
reproduce and make
things with
• are difficult to describe using
definitions
Free-form • are shapes that seem to
follow no rules.
or • are irregular or uneven
• are more often found in
Organic nature
• example include the shape of
Shapes
clouds, puddles, trees,
leaves, rocks, and so on.
- exist in a positive space.
Positive They are usually objects or
things that occupy the
Shapes
foreground of a two-
dimensional work of art or
they are the parts of a three-
dimensional sculpture
– are the shapes that exist
between positive shapes or
spaces. These shapes become
the background. Negative
Negative
shapes mimic positive shapes
Shapes
and are as important to
creating a successful work of
art as positive shapes.
Directions: Write True if the statement is true and write false if the
statement is false
____1. The cloud is an example of a positive shape.
____2. Shapes that exist between positive shapes or spaces are
called negative shapes.
____3. The element of design that is a two-dimensional area
confined by an actual line or implied line is called form.
____4. There are two general categories that are used to describe
shapes.
____5. Shapes are created when the ends of lines are joined to
enclose areas.
Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1.Triangle is an example of __________shape.
a. Freeform shape b. Geometric shape c. Organic shape
2. What do we call shapes that are irregular or uneven?
a.Freeform shape b. Geometric shape c. Positive shape
3. What is the shape that usually objects or things that occupy the
foreground of a two-dimensional work of art?
a.Geometric shape b. Negative shape c. Positive shape
4. Which is an example of a freeform shape?
a. b. c.
5. Which is NOT an organic shape?
a. leaves b. hexagon c. rocks
ELEMENTS
OF FORM
DESIGN
• is described as the way an
artist arranges elements in
the entirety of a
composition.
• It may also be described as
any three-
Form dimensional object.
• Form can be measured, from
top to bottom (height), side
to side (width), and from
back to front (depth).
Adding planes that face different
directions gives a 3D look on a shape.
Turning Shape This is easier done on objects that have
obvious vertices or hard edges, but
(2D) into
shapes like circles or shapes with
Form (3D) curves use a different approach.
1. Planes
Turning Shape
Wrapping lines on rounded or
(2D) into
curved shapes will help us
Form (3D)
visualize many sides thus
giving us the illusion of form.
2. Applying
contour lines
When drawing characters whose
When to use face is tilted, contour lines will act
as a guideline.
contour lines? to locate the proper positioning of
the features of the face such as
eyes, nose lips.
1. Drawing faces:
When to use Contour lines can be
contour lines? useful for
accentuating the
curves of a drawing.
2. Defining
Surfaces
Simple shapes become more
When to use complex through the
application of value and
contour lines? shadow. Therefore, a circle
becomes a sphere, and a
square becomes a cube, and a
triangle becomes a pyramid.
3. Applying Value
and Shadow
