Exercise 3. Line and Shading = Shape and Form
By Jacqueline Andes

Shape is an area enclosed by a line. It visually describes an object. It is two-dimensional with height and width. Shapes can be geometric with straight edges and angels, such as squares, rectangles, or triangles or circles; or they can be organic with irregular and curvilinear lines. Organic shapes are found in nature-seashells, flower petals, insects, animals, people!

Form looks like a three-dimensional shape. The object looks as if it has height, width and depth. Artists use shading to create the illusion of form. The shading indicates depth by creating shadows.

Now it's your turn to create shapes and forms.

Materials:

• HB or B pencil (a soft lead drawing pencil)
  
• 9" x 12" drawing paper
  
• Ruler

Instructions:

1. Before you start, go on a scavenger hunt looking for a couple of interesting natural objects - leaves, flower petals, a rock, seeds.
   
2. Fold your paper in half horizontally and then vertically to form four equal boxes.
3. In the first box, left-hand top, draw a circle, triangle, and a rectangle.
   
4. In the second box, right-hand top, repeat the drawing of the circle, triangle, and rectangle. Add the three-dimensional illusion by shading the circle, adding the additional lines and shading to the triangle and rectangle. These two top boxes are examples of geometric shapes and with the shading - forms. (See the first and third drawings above and below.)
   
5. In the third box, lower left-hand, draw several natural shapes using only an outline. Be sure to vary the pressure of the line for an interesting effect.(See the example above.)
   
6. In the last box, repeat the organic shapes and add shadowing to create organic forms.(See the example below.)
   
   
   
   
   

Compare the Shapes and Forms:

1. How did the objects change when shading was added?
   
2. Which are more interesting: shapes or forms?
   
3. Can a combination of each be used?