SHAPES How many shapes can you name?

S HAPE VS. F ORM IN A RT Shape pertains to the use of an area in two- dimensional space that can be defined by edges. Two dimensional shape has width and height. Form is a three-dimensional figure. Three dimensional form has depth as well as width and height. However the terms shape and form are often used interchangeably outside of the art realm.

F ORM, S HAPE AND S PACE Form and shape are areas or masses which define objects in space. Form and shape imply space; indeed they cannot exist without space.

G EOMETRIC Form and shape can also be described as either organic or geometric. Geometric forms and shapes are those which correspond to named regular shapes, such as squares, rectangles, circles, cubes, spheres, cones, and other regular forms. These shapes and forms are most often thought of as constructed or made. Architecture, such as the two following examples by Frank Lloyd Wright, uses both geometric and organic forms.

F RANK L LOYD W RIGHT

O RGANIC Organic forms and shapes such as clouds or boulders typically are irregular in outline, and often asymmetrical. Organic shapes and forms are most often thought of as naturally occurring.

B ASIC S HAPE A RT Geometric and organic shapes are found everywhere. Today we are going to apply and use shapes in tessellations.

W HAT IS A TESSELLATION ? A tessellation covers a plane using one or more shapes with no overlaps or gaps. Tessellations occur in nature or can be man made. The art method is popular in interior design, mathematics, origami, American folk art and Middle Eastern culture.

P ATTERN Something that repeats in a predictable way, a repetitive element of art. Tessellations are examples of patterns.

M.C. E SCHER Maurits Cornelis Escher ( ) is one of the world's most famous graphic artists.

Apart from being a graphic artist, M.C. Escher illustrated books, designed tapestries, postage stamps and murals. Here is an example of one of his tessellations.

During his lifetime he made 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood engravings and over 2000 drawings and sketches.

He played with architecture, perspective and impossible spaces. His art continues to amaze and wonder millions of people all over the world.

S KETCHBOOK A SSIGNMENT Create a tessellation pattern using repetitive shapes. Draw your design lightly in pencil. Complete your design in color using colored pencil or black and white using sharpie. Have fun! Need more ideas on how to create a tessellation? Watch the following videos for inspiration on puzzle piece patterns and rotating designs.