ShapesSew Arty Presentation

January 2016

A Shape is a two dimensional flat area created when a line meets itself or crosses another line. Examples include a square, a triangle, or a circle.

• A Form has three dimensions, e.g. a cube or a sphere.

Design is sometimes defined as the arrangement of Shapes.

Hans HoffmanGolden Wall

Lines define shapes, and shapes create lines.

Sue BennerWalking Through Time III (blue nest)

Ruth McDowell

A Shape is a visually perceived area, and its edges may be defined by color, value, pattern, or texture contrast.

Sonia Delaunay -Coat for Gloria Swanson

Types of Shapes

• Geometric

• Free-Form or Organic

• Abstract

• Positive and Negative and Others

Geometric Shapes

• Can be described by mathematics and drawn with a compass and ruler

• Are precise and generally regular; give an impression of order

• May have straight or curved edges

• Are usually man-made, although some like snowflakes or crystals appear in nature

Many traditional quilts like the mariner’s compass and log cabin use geometric shapes

Free-Form or Organic Shapes

• Can be difficult to describe and can be drawn freehand

• Are generally irregular and may be quite complex

• Can be found in nature, although they can also be created by humans

Many crazy quilts and art quilts use free-form shapes

Ruth McDowell –Red Hen and Chicks

Abstract Shapes

• Can be a simplified expression of a real object (representational or objective) or express the idea or essence of an object or idea (non-representational or non-objective)

• Are not naturalistic or realistic

• May be geometric or free-form

Abstract Representational Shape

Paul Klee – Temple Gardens Picasso – Girl Before Mirror

Abstract Non-Representational Shape

Mark Rothko – No. 14Helen Frankenthaler – Southern Exposure

Positive and Negative Shapes, Tessellations, and Illusions• Simple shapes accompanied by the areas surrounding them in a

contrasting color are interesting to the eye.

• Whole planes can be covered with interlocking shapes (usually geometric) to create a tessellation.

• M.C. Escher improved on this idea by using organic shapes and then transforming them to other shapes.

• Illusions can be created by the careful placement of negative and positive shapes that trick the eye and or brain.

Positive and Negative Shapes

Notan

Vase or couple?

Simple Tessellation

Escher Tessellation

M.C. Escher –Lizard Tessellation

Transforming Tessellation

M.C, Escher –Sky and Water

Illusion

Café Wall Illusion Old woman, young woman

ShapesThe end of one thing is always the beginning of another.