Form is one of the basic building blocks of art and refers to a three-dimensional shape that takes up space. There are two categories of forms: geometric forms like spheres, cubes, and cylinders that are precise mathematical shapes, and organic forms that are free-flowing and irregular like leaves or clouds found in nature. In art, forms can be depicted in two ways - as real, sculptural forms or as implied forms using techniques like shading to create the illusion of depth and volume on a two-dimensional surface. Examples of different types of three-dimensional forms include sculptures, ceramics, architectural structures, and earthworks.

1. FORM
Element of Art
by
Bernard E. Richardson
Master Teacher|Visual Arts Educator|2022

2. What is a Form?
• A form is a shape which is three dimensional
or looks three dimensional.
• It is one of the seven basic building blocks of
art along with Line, Space, Shape, Value, Color,
and Texture.

3. What does Three Dimensional (3-D) means?
• It means that the form has THREE dimensions.
• Adding the 3rd dimension DEPTH creates VOLUME and Mass.
1. Height
2. Width
3. DEPTH
Width
Height

4. A Form is Art work “in the round” meaning:
a. It can be viewed from different angles
b. You can go around it.
c. It takes up space.
Bernard E.Richardson
Organic Free form,
size, Nylon 2019

5. There are two categories of Forms:
• Are mathematical, precise and can be named for example
the basic geometric forms – sphere, cube, cylinder, pyramid
and cone.
1. Geometric forms
• In three dimension a circle becomes a sphere, a square
becomes a cube, a rectangle becomes a cylinder and a
triangle becomes a pyramid or a cone.

6. There are two categories of Forms:
2. Organic forms
• Are those forms that have a free flowing and curvy
appearance.
• They are not symmetrical
• They mostly occur in nature as in the shape of flowers,
leaves, rocks, clouds, the human figure, etc.

7. In Art, Form is shown in two different ways:
1. REAL FORMS 2. IMPLIED FORMS
• An illusion of form
• Created using Value (light and dark) and shading
techniques
• Actual form

8. • On a flat surface (paper, canvas, fabric etc the illusion of FORM is created
using Value ( a range of tones from light to dark which includes black,
white and all the greys in between).

9. HENRY MOORE
Reclining Figure, 1951
SCULPTURAL FORMS
TYPES OF 3D FORMS
REGINALD SAMUEL
The Family

10. EARTHWORKS POTTERY
Deep Blue Glazed Square
Planter Pot with Embossed
Waves
CERAMICS
MICHAEL HUNT
Coke Head
TYPES OF 3D FORMS

11. St. John’s Cathedral
Antigua West Indies
ARCHITECTURAL FORMS
Colosseum
Rome
TYPES OF 3D FORMS

12. References
Image courtesies
• Marder, Lisa. 2020. The definition of ‘form’ in art. [Online] Available:
https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-form-in-art-182437
• https://cedarspottery.com/micheal-hunt
• https://www.easydrawingtips.com/wp-
content/uploads/2018/08/three_dimensional_shapes_shaded_drawings.jpg
• http://thestjohnscathedral.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Cathedral-
Picture-1.jpg

13. The End