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SHAPE is the focus of Part One of the series Five Basic Elements of Art. The other elements are Line, Value, Color and Texture/Pattern.
In this class you learn to see objects and the world around you as pieces of a puzzle, a jigsaw puzzle of sorts. When the pieces fit together, they create the illusion of a tree or field, a piano or inkwell.  The shapes in your painting create the foundation upon which everything else is built.  When the foundation is weak, the structure fails. 
When the shapes don't create the harmony, movement or the effect you're striving for, the final painting will not be as successful as it could be. No matter how any times you change a value, a temperature or a hue, the discord will still be present.  When the shapes are strong, working together as a unit, you have already taken a leap toward creating a strong work of art.  This is why I start with SHAPE as the focus in Part One of the series.
In Lesson One I introduce several different ways to translate your objects into shapes. In Lesson Two, I combine several approaches to "shape building" and add a light, mid-tone or dark value to each of the shapes so that you can see the illusion more clearly.
Your project is to describe your objects, landscape or interior simply by drawing closed shapes. You will create several variations of shape sketches. Most likely, you'll begin to see how you can creatively alter the shapes to your liking, while still describing your objects.  This is a giant step toward creating stronger drawings and paintings while at the same time, developing your unique style and reinforcing it.
This is a mini course in SHAPE.  It only scratches the surface of what can be a lifetime study.  My hope is that after going through this course you'll be inspired to strengthen your awareness of the shapes around you on a daily basis and enjoy seeing the way they puzzle together even when a pen or brush is not in your hand. Soften the edges of those puzzle pieces and your shapes transform into realism ... if you wish.

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Five Basic Elements of Art - Part One - Shape

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