Shape in Art and Composition

Shape in Art and Composition

So in the previous post I talked a bit about line, which is perhaps the most basic and fundamental part of design. Let's move on to shape.

Shape, like line, is a basic, yet important part of design. It is used in composition, but it is also important to think about the overall shape of a piece and how recognizable it is. If people have a hard time recognizing what a piece of art is, it can have a negative effect on the overall look. Now some people purposely use this to get people to think, such as having an image that looks like two different things, or has more than one meaning.

Now, there are actually a few different types of shapes. These include geometric, organic, positive, negative, static, and dynamic.

Geometric - Squares, ovals, and triangles. The more man made of the shapes and often seen in architecture.

Organic - Shapes that are seen in nature such as flowers and other plants.

Positive - This is the part of an art piece that is put there by the artist. The content.

Negative - This is the space around the content, where there is nothing. Negative space.

Static - Shapes that do not appear to be moving.

Dynamic - Shapes that appear to have movement.

Here are some examples of the different types in use:

In the above piece, they are using the hand which is a static, organic, positive shape to imply the shape of the lightbulb which static, geometric, and negative.

This piece uses both the positive and negative shapes as images, and also has dynamic shapes - the man and the drop of liquid.

Line in Art and Composition

Line in Art and Composition

What is line? Not in general, but pertaining to art specifically. Line can be a single mark of the pen or pencil, but that does not do it justice. Line is really the foundation of all art pieces, no matter the medium. It apples not just to illustration, but also painting, pottery, and even film. If something is considered art, and has composition, I would argue that line applies to that piece.

So what is line exactly, besides the obvious? Well line is what makes or breaks a piece of art. When talking about illustration, line is often what makes up the entire piece. What's more important though, is the part line plays in the composition of a piece. Lines and implied lines are what guide the eye throughout the composition, whether on an easel or on film. Good compositions draw your eyes in and cause them to go where the artist desires. This could be bringing the focus onto a specific object or person. Or, it could be to cause your eye to not focus on anything at all and instead move throughout the entire composition without really resting one any single thing. One piece I particularly enjoy how the lines draw focus is The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Almost every line, including the perspective lines pointing towards the vanishing point, are directing the eye to the focus of the painting - Christ. Look at the following examples to get an idea of how line can work in different compositions, and try o be more aware of these lines even in everyday life.