Why Learn about Form?

Learning about types of Form is an important part of learning about Art. When we talk about Form, we are talking about

three-dimensional objects. Three dimensional (3-D) objects are all around

you– the ones you can pick up, touch, and move around ~ are three dimensional.

Forms are shapes that have a third dimension called, “Depth ”: Cubes,

Prisms, Pyramids, Spheres, Cones and Cylinders are examples of different kinds

of Form.

Forms have length, width, height, depth, and volume

Shapes have height and width

Before we learn about Form, let’s review Shape!

Two-Dimensional shape is:

• A flat plane

• It’s two dimensions are length and width

• Circles, squares, rectangles and triangles are examples of two dimensional shapes

Two Dimensional (2-D) Shape occurs only in theory:•If you can hold a shape it is a form that has length, width height, depth and volume!

•It is three dimensional (3-D)

Shape can be geometric

Shape can be organic

Shape can be abstract

Shape can be positive

Shape can be negative

Form describes objects that are three-dimensional ~ having length, width, and height.

A two-dimensional shape can be seen from only one side. A three dimensional form can be viewed from

many sides.Forms take up space, whether they are from nature

(organic), or made by man.

Shape Form

Can you name the two dimensional shapes that make up these forms?

Cube =

Pyramid =

Sphere =

Cone =

Cylinder =

Prism ? = Triangle, hexagon, rectangle…

(Any geometric shape with straight edges)

Square

Circle

Circle, Triangle

Triangle

Circle, Rectangle

Forms are either Natural (Organic) or Geometric

Leaves have Natural

Form

This sculpture was made with geometric shapes

(circles)These circles

have Geometric Form

Oh yeah, Organic shapes have edges that are freeform

and irregular!

Organic (Natural) Forms have length, width, height, depth, and volume. They have edges that are freeform and irregular.

Trees, pebbles and flowers are all

Natural (Organic) Forms

Examples of Natural (Organic) Forms

Rock Form

Water Form

Shrub Form

Ice Form Cloud Formation

Geometric Forms have height, width, length, depth, and volume. They have hard edges and are precise and regular: triangles, squares, circles, and rectangles, are geometric forms.

Geometric Forms can be natural or man made. Snowflakes and salt crystals are examples of geometric form found in nature. Cardboard boxes and basketballs are examples of geometric form that is man made.

Sooo, Geometric Form must be

made from geometric shape, BUT have length, width, depth and

volume!

Remember what we learned from

Mrs. Fisher, Alice? Geometric shapes

have hard edges and are precise and regular: triangles, squares, circles,

and rectangles, are geometric shapes!

Humans create geometric and organic formHumans create geometric and organic form

Buildings

Automobiles

PyramidsPyramids

Drums

Almost everything around you is some kind of form ~ either natural or

geometric

Rocks are one example of natural or organic form. If you want to draw or paint such forms, you can show their depth by making shadows on and around them. By using a variety of values you can transform a simple shape into a form. Different values create contrast between light and dark shades.This contour pencil drawing shows the outline shape of a rock.

This shaded pencil drawing of rock creates value through contrast.

Shading creates value through contrast

Shading creates value through contrast

You can transform a two-dimensional shape to look like a three-dimensional form by adding texture and shadows. Identify the light source, and shade the shapes to appear as forms. They should appear to have the qualities of a form, which are: 3-dimensional, and have length, width, and height. If you use a variety of values you can alter a simple shape into a form. Different values create contrast between light and dark shades.

There are Forms in Art

This Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975)sculpture is made from wood

Jeremy Mayer creates his sculptures from old

typewriter parts

Alexander Calder (1898-1976) made this mobile from sheet metal

Some artists express their ideas by creating three-dimensional sculptures. They use many types of materials to create their art.

This sculpture was made by Dale Chihuly (b. 1941)

and is made of organic shapes

This stained glass window was made with

geometric shapes

Artists use both geometric and organic shapes to create art.

Sometimes artists use a combination of both geometric and organic forms to create their artwork.

“Tera Twist II” 2007, by Vladimir Bulatov

“Red Cascade” 1954, By Alexander Calder

Sculpture can be abstract: Abstract Forms are simplified, three – dimensional objects that we can sometimes recognize, but which may not look real. They simplify natural forms to their essential basic characteristics.

Sculpture can be realistic: Realistic Forms depict people, animals, birds, and plants as they may actually appear. They are three – dimensional things that we can recognize, because they resemble the images we know from life.

This sculpture is an example of three-dimensional form. The seated figure takes up space, the spaces under, above, and around the sculpture are also important. The appearance of a sculpted form changes as we walk around it. The “holes” or negative space that are not part of the figure are as important to the sculpture as the form itself.

When looking at Barbara Hepworth’s sculpture group, Assemblage of Sea Forms, we think of underwater rocks and other sea-sculpted forms. When exhibited, these can be rearranged from time to time, similar to the way that nature rearranges rocks on a beach. How does value contrast help you to “feel” the forms with your eyes?

Space can be felt in Hepworth’s sculpture group because of the clustering and overlapping of forms.

Space is a strong element in establishing a sense of form.

Space can be felt between the forms in this grouping (even in a flat photograph). The space between and around objects helps us recognize and

identify three-dimensional forms.

The space inside a form is called: Volume

Architecture is almost always made up of geometric forms – which are cubes, pyramids, cones and cylinders. A building takes up space, but also has space inside it, which is called volume. Notice the contrast of geometric and natural (organic) forms in the photo of the Cadillac Junior High School building.