Shape
Shape is an area that is contained within an implied line, or is seen and identified because of color or value changes.
Shapes have two dimensions, length and width, and can be geometric or free-form (organic).
Design in painting is basically the planned arrangement of shapes in a work of art.
Shape in Fine Art
Pablo Picasso - "Three Musicians", 1921
Picasso's painting is an abstract painting in which the three figures are simplified to an arrangement of flat shapes. Look for these shape varieties:
- Large, medium and small shapes
- Flat and patterned shapes
- Dark and light valued shapes
- Geometric and organic shapes
- Positive and negative shapes
- Outlined and unoutlined shapes
Source: Elements and Principles of Design: Student Guide with Activities, published by Crystal Productions
