SY

M METRY

SY

ETRY

E X E

C I S E T W O

and

SHAPES

The origin of shape To analyse an

image, we must break it down into its simple elements. Shapes are essential parts of an image. Shape is a visual element with a defined surface area. Shape is the outside appearance of an object. It is defined by its colour, texture, size and structure.

We can find natural shapes in nature.For example, seeds arenatural shapes that growto form spheres.

Shapes are formed randomly by nature. These smooth rocks are made by gradual erosion with other

materials like wind, water, sun, temperature and seasons

Intelligent shapes (alsoknown as artificial shapes)are designed by humans.They sometimes copynature itself. A light bulb issphere-shaped so it cansend light all around it.

Image and reality We use the term “degree of likeness” when referring to

different levels of similarity between an image and the original subject.

Representative forms give a three- dimensional effect (height, width, depth). This 'volume' makes them seem real.

Paul Klee. Senecio. 1922. This painting by Paul Klee has a low degree of likeness.

A photograph has a high degree of likeness.

Flat shapes Simple shapes we use in graphic

art are: the triangle, the square and the circle.

These simple shapes interact with one another in more complex compositions. They can seem to be flat, or to have volume.

Parts of a shapeThe graphic resources we use can make shapes look different. The line is the visual element we use the most. When we endose a space, there are three parts to the form we create. These are: Contour. This is the outside line of a figure. It is a simple element with few details and gives a dear visual message.Silhouette. It is defined by an endosed space of the same colour or texture. It highlights the most important part of a shape and focuses on its visualmessage.

Regular and irregular shapes

Regular shapes are polygons that have equal sides and angles,suchas an equilateraltriangle, a square, a regular pentagon, etc.

All other shapes are irregular shapes.

Positive and negative shapes

We usuelly write on paper using black as the positive element we write with and white as the negative element we write on.

Positive shapes take up a specific space and negative shapes are the empty space that isleft over.

SYMMETRY

Two shapes are symmetrical when…

Henri Matisse: La Cabellera, 1952.

Gustave Eiffel: Torre Eiffel, París, 1887-1889