How to Shape Up Your Art and Love It

One of the basic elements in art is shape. Shape is a two-dimensional space with height and width. When we are children, we learn basic shapes, like circle, square, triangle. These are all lines or connected lines that create an outline on the page. Artists use shapes as a building block, adding color, texture, background, borders and other shapes to build an image.

Shapes can be defined as geometric, like the square, triangle and circle, or organic, like a flower, splatter and rabbit. Both geometric and organic shapes can be two dimensional. Adding the third element of depth changes a shape into a form, like a sculpture or object. Artists who draw or paint can create the illusion of depth with lines, colors and shadows, but it starts with a two-dimensional shape. 

Geometric Shapes

Geometric shapes have hard edge lines that can be easily measured and are more predictable, like a hexagon. The Cubism art style plays a lot with geometric shapes in order to represent something more, like a face or cat. Artists who famously used geometric shapes include Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and Pablo Picasso, shown below in order.

If you are like me, you don’t have the budget to display one of these masterpieces. However, you could check out these options I found on Peggy.com, an online community of artists, art collectors and general art lovers. Note: This blog contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Organic Shapes

Organic shapes are more free form, irregular and generally open to interpretation. They are often asymmetrical and associate more with natural elements like clouds or plants. Realism and surrealism art styles use organic shapes to portray nature or humanity. Famous artists with works displaying organic shapes include Georgia O’Keefe, Paul Gauguin and Joan Miro, shown below, clockwise.

Alas, these fine pieces will not be leaving their museum collections for my walls anytime soon. However, one of these organic pieces on Peggy.com might fill up your walls very nicely.

In love with the shape of you(r) art

Shapes can direct our senses too.  Circles or loops imply movement. Four-sided shapes like squares and rectangles seem stable and solid. Triangles create direction, balance or imbalance with their points. Scientific studies have researched what shapes are most appealing to us by looking at brain activity. Turns out that most people like shapes with gentle curves. Seeing those images produce strong responses and increase brain activity. We may feel safer surrounded by circles. And perhaps a little intimidated by sharp edges and lines. Many artists utilize both organic and geometric shapes in their works.

Do you find yourself drawn to certain shapes? Do you like the clean lines of more geometric designs or the free form of organic pieces? Let me know in the comments.