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VOCABULARY REVIEW: SHAPE

Shape a 2D closed, or implicitly closed, configuration; a defined area standing out from the area next to it

Positive Shape The shape of an object that serves as the subject of a drawing or design. The relationship between positive shape & negative space is often called figure/ field, figure/ ground, foreground/ background, or solid/ void.
Negative Shape/Space the shape or space surrounding a positive shape.

Organic Shape Free-form, irregular shape, often asymmetrical, often curvilinear, found in nature, also called biomorphic or amoeboid.

Anthropomorphic Shape Shape referring to the human body
Biomorphic Shape Shape referring to nature
Zoomorphic Shape Shape referring to animals
Geometric Shape Shape created by mathematical laws and measurements, often symmetrical, such as circular, triangular, rectangular.

Implied Shape A suggested or incomplete shape that is completed by the viewer.

Plastic shape having three dimensions or the illusion of it
Objective shape shape derived from something observed
subjective shape an invented shape

Metamorphosis Greek meta=change, morph=shape; a shape change, usually by gradual stages

Plane a 2 dimensional shape that has only height & width
planar having to do with planes


Composition The organization or arrangement of visual elements in an artwork.