2. 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.

3. Shapes have height and width
Forms have length, width, height, depth, and volume

4. 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

5. 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)

6. Shape can be geometric
Shape can be organic
Shape can be abstract
Shape can be negative
Shape can be positive

7. 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

8. Triangle, hexagon, rectangle…
Can you name the two dimensional shapes that make up these forms?
Cube =
Pyramid =
Sphere =
Cone =
Cylinder =
Prism ? =
Square
Triangle
Circle
Circle, Triangle
Circle, Rectangle
Triangle, hexagon, rectangle…
(Any geometric shape with straight edges)

9. Forms are either Natural (Organic) or Geometric
This sculpture was made with geometric shapes (circles)
Leaves have Natural Form
These circles have
Geometric Form

10. Organic (Natural) Forms have length, width, height, depth, and volume
Organic (Natural) Forms have length, width, height, depth, and volume. They have edges that are freeform and irregular.
Oh yeah, Organic shapes have edges that are freeform and irregular!
Trees, pebbles and flowers are all Natural (Organic) Forms

11. Examples of Natural (Organic) Forms
Rock Form
Water Form
Cloud Formation
Ice Form
Shrub Form

12. Geometric Forms have height, width, length, depth, and volume
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.

13. 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!
Sooo, Geometric Form must be made from geometric shape, BUT have length, width, depth and volume!

14. Humans create geometric and organic form
Buildings
Pyramids
Automobiles
Drums
Humans create geometric and organic form

15. 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 shaded pencil drawing of rock creates value through contrast.
This contour pencil drawing shows the outline shape of a rock.
Shading creates value through contrast

16. 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.

17. There are Forms in Art
Some artists express their ideas by creating three-dimensional sculptures. They use many types of materials to create their art.
This Barbara Hepworth ( )
sculpture is made from wood
Jeremy Mayer creates his sculptures from old typewriter parts
Alexander Calder ( ) made this mobile
from sheet metal

18. This stained glass window was made with geometric shapes
Artists use both geometric and organic shapes to create art.
This stained glass window was made with geometric shapes
This sculpture was made by Dale Chihuly (b. 1941) and is made of organic shapes

19. “Tera Twist II” 2007, by Vladimir Bulatov
Sometimes artists use a combination of both geometric and organic forms to create their artwork.
“Red Cascade” 1954, By Alexander Calder
“Tera Twist II” 2007, by Vladimir Bulatov

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. This sculpture is an example of three-dimensional form
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.

23. 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?

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.