GRAPHIC ELEMENTS

DOTS, LINE

SHAPE,

LIGTH,COLOUR,

TEXTURE --------------------------------------

ana ralero

GRAPHIC ELEMENTS

DOTS

LINES

SHAPES

LIGHT

COLOUR

TEXTURE

INDEX

1. THE SHAPE. DEFINITION

2. THE PLANE. DEFINITION

3. THE GRAPHIC SHAPE

4. THE CONCEPT OF THE SHAPE AS A GRAPHIC

SYMBOL

5. TYPES OF SHAPES

• ABSTRACT SHAPES (GEOMETRIC & ORGANIC)

• FIGURATIVE SHAPES (REALISTIC & EXPRESSIVE)

6. FROM THE REALISTIC SHAPE TO ABSTRACT

7. SIMPLIFING SHAPES

8. FUNCTIONS OF SHAPES

• ORGANISE SPACE (COMPOSITION)

THE SHAPE

THE SHAPE

To draw shapes we need the plane, which is like the

dot and the line an expressive element of visual

language.

THE PLANE

Geometrically: A plane is a

series of juxtaposed lines that

produce a two-dimensional

surface that has height and width.

Graphically: we can define

plane as the area of a surface

within a closed line, that obtains

a graphic shape.

Graphic shapes can have different

sizes and forms, but they always

have to be bigger than a dot.

They can be made by one or

several planes.

THE GRAPHIC SHAPE

A plane becomes an expressive element when we use it to build

and image. It depends on its contour, size and arrangement in space

to provide expression.

For example: a contour

of mostly straight lines

is less expressive than

a wavy one.

Size can make a plane

seem more important or

less important: the

bigger it is the more we

notice it.

If we placed in the

centre of the support, it

becomes the point of

interest.

Support is the surface we draw on it.

THE CONCEPT OF THE SHAPE AS A GRAPHIC SYMBOL

TYPES OF SHAPES

ABSTRACT SHAPES FIGURATIVE SHAPES

GEOMETRIC ORGANIC REALISTIC

EXPRESSIVE

TYPES OF SHAPES

FIGURATIVE, we recognize

what we are seeing something

which comes from our environment.

ABSTRACT,

we do not recognize these

shapes as something that

exists in our world

FIGURATIVE SHAPES

They can be divided into:

• realistic shapes

• expressive shapes

Realistic shapes are drawn in a very

analytic way, trying to imitate real-

life around us.

Expressive shapes are when the artist

show part of his feelings in what

he/she has drawn.

ABSTRACT SHAPES

Abstracts shapes can be divided into:

• organic shapes

• geometric shapes

The organic ones are freer and have

irregular shapes.

Geometric ones are purely

mathematical.

FROM THE REALISTIC SHAPE TO ABSTRACT SHAPE

SIMPLIFING SHAPES

We can simplify shapes

we reduce them to a

geometrical ones.

This implies that with abstract

geometrical shapes we can

obtain expressive figurative

shapes.

FUNCTION OF SHAPES

1.- To organise space

Before to start a drawing we must

decide which shapes we are going

to use and where to place them on

the support.

There are different rules that

define how to structure

space and how to organize

the forms in a drawing:

•The rule of balance

•The rule of compensation

• The diagonal

The most important

objects or shapes

are in the middle and

the orders less important

should be in the left

side or the right one.

RULES OF COMPOSITION

1.-THE RULE OF BALANCE

The painters in the RENAISSANCE are the ones who

use this kind of composition, because they thought this

was the best way to obtain equilibrium.

RULES OF COMPOSITION

When we have in a

composition such a big object

that takes up a very large

part of the support, in order

to obtain balance:

2.-THE RULE OF

COMPENSATION

we have to use another graphic elements

such a smaller shapes, lines, texture, or

brighter or stronger colours to obtain

equilibrium. This is a modern way to

create and paint.

3.-THE DIAGONAL

RULES OF COMPOSITION

We use the diagonal to organise the space,

and to order shapes.

Many painters used this rule

during the Baroque period

and also in modern times.