A Look at Three Basic Geometric Shapes!

Anything in art can be constructed with basic geometric shapes. As an artist, you need to look at how your subject is constructed through these shapes before you draw anything.

The three main shapes that we will talk about is the circle, the triangle, and the square. These shapes are the foundation for any type of modular construction.

Even when you are looking at digital art programs, some three dimensional software will use primitive shapes derived from these simple shapes to create a polygonal model.

Whether it is two dimensional or three dimensional, learning to look at the world through these basic geometric shapes are a plus that all artists should understand and know.

1. Derived circular shapes

We will first start off with the basic geometric shapes that can come with a simple circle. By itself, a circle can hint at a wheel, clock, or any round object.

The most common shape that we see is the sphere. This can be used as a ball or it can be used to signify joints in the body since it is very suggested of swiveling hinges.

Flattening it out a little, you will get a simple ellipsoid. These shapes are quite referenced often for painting an egg or fruit.

If you add depth to the circle, you will get a cylinder. This is very important shape used very often on any thick parts of an object like a plane's or locomotive's central body.

Obviously, you will find many shapes in the natural world that will use these simple shapes. As you look around at everyday objects, see if you can break it down to these circular shapes.

2. Derived triangle shapes

The next few basic geometric shapes will look at shapes resulting from the triangle. By its own, triangles have many different possibilities depending on the angle of its corners.

If we were to give depth to a simple triangle by wrapping it around itself, we would get a cone. In the real world, there are many objects that will have this shape such as a nose of an airplane or a simple ice-cream cone.

Should we decide to multiply the faces, you will get a simple pyramid. This is a strong and sturdy structure to show stacking potential in objects.

Lastly, when you add depth to a triangle laterally, you will get a simple prism. Seen on most house tops, this is a very common shape for building up bulk of sloped objects.

See if you can find shapes that have the triangles listed above in the real world.

3. Derived square shapes

Squares are probably the most important basic geometric shapes that you will use for everything. Not only are objects built from it, but squares make really good measuring blocks.

First, a typical square can be divided to form smaller squares and triangles that are useful for measuring perspective and proportions.

Secondly, a square without any depth is a plane. You will be using planes a lot to show the direction of tone through how the light will hit multiple planes on your subject.

If you elongate the square, you will get a rectangle. Again, this is very useful for perspective and proportions. Furthermore, a lot of objects built with rectangles more than any other shape.

Since squares are very optimal in space usage, you will see this shape everywhere you go in the real world.

4. Picking out basic geometric shapes

This last section talks about how to break down your subject into basic geometric shapes. Personally, I have used a picture of a dog.

You can use whatever inorganic or organic objects you want to study. The goal here is to mentally picture all the shapes in your head.

For instance, circles can be used for joints, squares can be used for large masses like the body or limbs, and triangles can be used for any irregular shapes like the ears.

Moving forward, you will use this skill to form simple gesture and contour drawings that are very useful for you.

Don't be caught off guard with tracing your subject like a lot of beginners do. Actively think about form and you will accelerate your learning.

It really is a method that trains your mind as well as your hands when you study forms around you. Perfect it and you will start creating a lot of convincing art without the need of a reference!

That is the ultimate goal of an artist and something you should continually strive for (whether it is analog art or digital art)!

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