What is Mass in the Visual Arts?


Today, terms are interchangeable in art. One term to one artist or historian may mean something similar but completely different to another. Given this, young artists, college students, and independent artists are in a state of confusion as to what means what in a composition.

Because of these interchangeable terms many are left to develop their own idea of what any art term means, which in turn muddles things more.

So with that being said, here I am, throwing my own interpretation of what mass is and why it is different from shape into the modge-podge of art terms (not trying to be hypocritical or confusing at all).

What is Mass in Art?

Simply stated, mass in art can be defined as the inherent grouping of matter in an object.

This means it is different from shape. If you have read my article on shape, you will know the definition of it. However, to briefly sum it up, shape is an object created by line and pertains to the two-dimensionality of a piece of art.

Much like shape, there are geometric and organic shapes, which depend on the nature of what you’re trying to depict. Geometric is mathematical, and organic are shapes you’d find in nature.

However, the complexity of communicating mass is something many struggle with. One primary way to communicate mass is by using space, which is a way artists visually mold mass into a recognizable shape.

This leads me to briefly explain each term which accompanies mass.

Aspects of Mass

Space

First, is space. Space is the expanse of area not occupied by anything. It’s the empty parts of your living room, the void in my soul, and the inherent emptiness of that bowl as you savor that last spoonful of ice cream in quarantine.

Eh-hem. Next term.

Form

Next, we can discuss the term form. Form is portrayed in two ways: Open and closed.

Open form occurs when a piece of art such as sculpture or pottery becomes invaded by space. This means that the artwork has space invading the perimeter of the piece. Take for example the Recumbent Figure by Henry Moore, made in 1938. This piece demonstrates how space engulfs and can invade the area of a piece to define mass. It can be seen in how the space goes into the hole created by the absence of mass, thus defining the piece.

Recumbent Figure 1938 Henry Moore OM, CH 1898-1986 Presented by the Contemporary Art Society 1939 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/N05387

In juxtaposition to that is the closed form. Think of a simple solid orb. Think of it harder. This orb is closed because no space is invading it’s interior or exterior. It’s simply a closed form object.

Can Mass Occur in 2D Art?

Short answer: Yes. But not in the same way it can in a three dimensional medium. In a two-dimensional piece, a shape that seems like there is inherent mass to an object is called Implied Mass.

Claudio Bravo. La Lectura. 1994. Image Courtesy: All-Art.org

Take for example Claudio Bravo. In the below image, you can see how Bravo establishes an implied mass in his painting La Lectura by using several artistic techniques to imply that a pair of women exist and is lounging inside a picture plane. The women are implied, for they cannot have actual mass inside of two-dimensions.

Shape and Mass are DIFFERENT!

Shape and mass are two different terms, however often times people use them interchangeably. It’s important to know the difference between the two, because knowing the difference will help clarify misunderstandings when critiquing artwork.

Just remember, shape refers to two-dimensional pieces of art, such as paintings, sketches, and photography. Mass, however, deals with three dimensional pieces, such as sculpture and architecture. Now, as previously stated, 2D art can have implied mass, where something appears to be in two dimensions, but not actual mass given the inherent nature of the two-dimensional medium.

Final Thoughts

It is important to understand what mass is in art and where you should or should not say it is. As stated at the beginning of the article, many terms can be misconstrued in the art world today. By understanding the differences in terminology, people discussing art can better understand each other when communicating their ideas on it.

This article on mass will have hopefully taught you what the meaning of mass is!

So with that, I hope you enjoyed, have a great day, and please, if you enjoyed my writing, subscribe to my blog for future blog posts!

Until then, be safe and wash ya nasty hands!

Jloui

What is Shape in the Visual Arts? | Chemistry of Art

Welcome to my post on shape, what I like to call the compound of the art world. Compounds, an accumulation of atoms and molecules, are building blocks of the physical world. Shapes, an accumulation of points and lines, are the compounds of the art world. In this article, we will explore what makes a shape just that – a shape.

So with that, let’s jump into the chemistry of art.

What is Shape?

Shapes are the objects that appear when we start to create art through lines on a two-dimensional plane. They help artists convey meaning by using line to help the viewer understand their artwork.

At its core, shape is the measurement and mental aggregation of the expanse found inside an outline.

By using line, artists create visual illusions to mentally trick the viewer into believing they are seeing an object. Shapes are a product of these illusions, because they are made by grouping lines together to create recognizable objects.

This is what a shape is, a line creating a recognizable object in art.

It’s important to note the term shape is different when we discuss the three-dimensional, such as sculpture and architecture. This is when we use the term Mass. For more on that visit this link: Coming Soon.

Two Kinds of Shapes

With shapes, there are two different kinds. When we think of shape, the most common shape is that of a square, triangle, and circle. These are called geometric shapes, because of their mathematical perfection.

They signify shape in a pure way, no delineating points in a line. Just a straight angle and a crisp collection of points.

But, the moment we step away from geometrical perfection, we get organic shape. Organic shape is a shape like you can find in nature. The lines of these shapes are often curved, and almost never straight.

These shapes include a rocks, birds, bushes, people, and more: pretty much anything you can find that doesn’t have a perfect line. Now, there are obvious exceptions to the rule in nature, but for the most part, organic refers to natural shapes.

If you read my article on line, you would see a quote stating that there is no such thing as a line in nature. Organic shapes are natural shapes because they represent the natural way shape occurs in the world.

Aspects of Shapes

With the basic details of a shape discussed, we can move forward into the more advanced aspects of a shape.

A shape can be many things, much like a line. This is because its use is in the eye of the beholder.

For example, a shape’s meaning can change depending on its shape, its texture, its size, color, value, and more. Furthermore, it can be affected by the space surrounding it as well. It’s dynamic, just like anything else in the art world.

This being said, what are some of the elements of shape? I have compiled a thorough list of terms to help you better understand these tools of art.

Please understand for blog best practices, I have omitted the use of the word shape after each term (i.e. solid shape, colored shape, etc.).

The Flexibility of Shape

Shapes are everywhere. Typically, they are not one predefined object located on the picture plane. They are on top of other objects, they are adjacent, they are connected. It depends on the art-piece itself.

For instance, take the below example. You have shapes that overlap with each other, are similar to each other, and are adjacent.

Solid and Opaque

A solid shape has a completely filled appearance between the outlines of its exterior. For example, if you have a landscape, and a square is hovering over it and you cannot see through that shape, then it’s a solid.

But, when you have a square that you can see through, that’s an opaque shape. This is when you can see what is occurring just beyond the shape.

Colored

A colored shape is what happens when you have color filling the expanse between two outlines. These shapes can be opaque, solid, and textured because of the flexibility of color.

Textured

Textured shapes occur when a shape appears to have a textile surface – a surface that looks like it can be smooth, furry, metallic, woody, or even wet and dry.

For example, a tree, which is an organic shape, has a textured surface along its trunk because of the bark that covers it. This is a textured shape because of rough nature of the bark. It is the artists mission to convey that texture (if he or she wishes).

Outlined

Outlined shapes are different from opaque and solid shapes for one reason: They have no interior. Consider the opaque shape, this is opaque because you can see through a solid(ish) surface. Glass is an opaque material because it is a solid that you can see through. This is an opaque shape.

But, as stated before, outlined shapes have no interior between their outer borders. They’re empty.

Famous Artists and Their Use of Shape

Wassily Kandinsky

Most notably my favorite abstract artist, he is known for his use of design principles and art fundamentals to create his art. In several of his Composition series pieces, he uses geometric and organic shapes to create vibrant and telling narratives.

In Circle in a Circle created in 1923, Kandinsky used an outline shape (circle) to group a variety of different shapes together. He further articulated their purpose by utilizing straight lines throughout the composition, going so far as to create perspective with the two shapes in the background.

wassily-kandinsky-circles-in-a-circle-1923-common-use
Wassily Kandinsky, “Circles in a Circle”, 1923. Oil on Canvas. Philadelphia Museum of Art. Image Courtesy @https://www.wassilykandinsky.net/

This composition is one I have used tremendously in my college career, for it shows how to utilize different design principles such as size, texture, grouping, and emphasis to create an interesting composition.

To view more of his work, visit here.

Grant Wood

Grant Wood, in juxtaposition to Kandinsky, is an American Artist known for his work depicting American Landscape. He creates these landscapes by utilizing organic and geometric shape in his work. This being said, one popular piece many are familiar with (for it’s a meme) is American Gothic, a great example of the marriage between those two different kinds of shapes: Organic and Geometric.

American Gothic utilizes clearly defined shapes to communicate its imagery. By using both kinds of object, he creates a seemingly straightforward piece, known by many.

For more art by Grant Wood, visit here.

grant-wood-american-gothic-1930-oil-pastels-jloui
Grant Wood, American Gothic. 1930. Image Courtesy @https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6565/american-gothic

Things to Note

It is important to understand when two shapes are considered one. They are considered to be one shape when the overall value of the object creates a seemingly singular shape, unless denoted by an outline.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully by reading this article, you are left with more of an understanding of the fundamentals of shape. By understanding shape, the compound of the art body, you can create a world of unique and interesting compositions. So go forth and try to create some abstract pieces using these new ideas!

Until then, be sure to stay inside and wash your nasty hands.

Jloui

Be sure to check out my article on Mass, a different term for shape in three-dimensions.

Resources

Malcolm, Dorothea. Design: Elements and Principles. Worcester, Massachusetts: Davis Publications, Inc.,1972.

Frank, Patrick, and Duane Preble. Prebles Artforms: an Introduction to the Visual Arts. Boston: Pearson, 2014.

Itten, Johannes. Design and Form. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc., New York, New York. 1975

Sayre, Henry M. “A World of Art,” 2013.

Image Links

Circles in a Circle. URL: https://www.wassilykandinsky.net/work-247.php

American Gothic. URL: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/6565/american-gothic

Lines in Art | Definition, Basics, and Use

Hello! If you’re here, you’re looking for answers to an essay question on line or studying for a math or art appreciation test. Or you’re looking to understand the fundamentals of art more clearly. OR you’re quarantined and wanting to eliminate some boredom. Whatever the case, this simplified article will explain exactly what a line is and how to understand its uses in the art world.

The line is an important factor in eye movement in art. Lines have a tendency to direct where our gaze goes in artwork, causing a sense of movement and action in pieces. By understanding it, you will be able to understand the artists intentions in their work.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What is a line?

To start, a line is a continuous connection of points across a visual plane. Meaning, it’s a visual connection between two points.

That’s it – that’s a line.

But, if you wish to dive deeper into line theory, it’s been long since debated what lines are and if they actually exist.

Think about it. If all a line is is simple connection between two points, then all it is is a continuation of those points. It’s a bunch of dotted points in a row.

That being said, the line is a mental concept constructed by the human brain to help identify the start/end and edges of objects. A collection of points aggregated into a single object to understand visual information.

That’s what we call a line.

Creating the Line

Given the idea that a line is a simple collection of points, we can begin to think about the characteristics of line in art.

Think again about how to the line is a simple string of points. By the way the points between the two endpoints act, it’s possible to convey an array of emotions. So, let’s examine different kinds of lines and what they communicate in a composition.

Lines and their Direction

Geometric Line

A straight line, or geometric line, is a fundamental tool in an artists’ repertoire. It can be seen as an umbrella term for the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal line, as demonstrated below.

Horizontal Line

The horizontal line is a basic tool that communicates stability, steadiness, and flatness.

Often times in a 2D Picture plane, AKA the drawing surface, this stable type of line can communicate to the viewer a surface or the ground. In abstract art, it can convey a sense of rhythm or speed.

Vertical Lines

A vertical line establishes height and verticality.

One of the more basic lines, its prominence can be seen in many still lives and architecture.

The vertical helps communicate height. Need a house? You gotta have a vertical line. Need a simple box or cube, vertical line. Need to create a sense of depth using linear perspective? You guessed it: There will be many a vertical line.

Diagonal Line

A diagonal line communicates speed, agility, and slopes. Consider using these when trying to establish action.

The diagonal line is a common line in art, and its use is crucial when establishing actions, drama, and more.

Organic Line

Organic Line is a line found in nature. Flowers and trees are a great example of this line, for they are not geometric and hold true to nature itself.

“THERE ARE NO STRAIGHT LINES OR SHARP CORNERS IN NATURE. THEREFORE, BUILDINGS MUST HAVE NO STRAIGHT LINES OR SHARP CORNERS.”

– Antoni Gaudi

There are no straight lines in nature, only perceived straight lines. Which means, though straight, vertical, and horizontal lines are important when creating compositions, they’re just curved lines.

So, it is one of the most important lines to use in art, for it makes up nature; We as humans simply don’t see it.

Zigzagged Lines

These lines are just that, zigzagged. It’s a chaotic line that is used for harsh and dramatic landscapes and jagged edges.

Curved Lines

Imagine a circle, oval, or even a face. The natural curvature of the object is a curved line, the most prominent type of line in nature. See Gaudi’s quote about the curved line below.

Line Width, Length, and More

Now that we know basic line types, we can look at more characteristics of line. For example, weight (the thickness or width of a line) can create dramatic, bold outlines. Thinner lines can communicate delicateness or sensitivity.


Use of the line is in the eye of the artist, and can be anything he or she wants. This being said, let’s dive into the other factors of a line.

Width and Weight


Width is the thickness or thinness of a line, whereas weight is where the line gets noticeably darker or lighter between two points.

Length

The distance between two connecting points. The length of the line.

Texture

The texture of a line is the feathering, blurring, or prominence of a line. In the below figure, you can see several (but not all) examples of line texture.


Texture is diverse. For example, line texture typically refers to the texture of the line itself. You will find in future blogs posts that there are techniques to use line to create a vast number of shadings.

Style

Dotted lines and implied lines make the style of a line. These are important to know for many artists utilize styles, specifically implied line, to apply balance, unity and more to their work.

Implied Lines

Lines that are not directly stated or drawn, but seem to exist inside of a composition/picture.

Contour Lines

Lines that outline an object or negative space. These are prevalent gestural drawings, a kind of drawing where you explore the lines of an object.

Famous Artists and the Line

Now that we have an understanding of the line, let’s look at how famous artists have used this important tool to communicate their ideas and their designs to their audience.

You’ll see two different artists below, however please be aware that due to copyright law I have not included any images of their work. I have however included the names of their work and, if applicable, the series from which they derive. You can also find attached links to relevent websites displaying their work.

If you know any other great line artists, leave a comment below! Otherwise, read on and see some of today’s linear pioneers.

Bridget Riley

Bridget Riley is an artist known for her use of line to communicate motion, dynamism, and action. By utilizing different lines widths and lengths, line direction, and negative spacing (new post coming soon!), she captures visual landscapes and mind-teasing events in a movement of art called Op Art.

Her Blaze collection of circular black and white paintings depict a clever use of diagonal, zigzagged and curved lines to create rapid motion which brings to life implied lines throughout her work.

To view more of her work, click here.

Jackson Pollock

Pollock is well know for his role in the abstract expressionism movement in the early 1900’s. He developed a chaotic world of line by loosely pouring paint onto different surfaces. Wide varieties of color were used in his work Convergence, possibly one of his more famous works.

By using a loose handed brushing method, he creates a unique set of line widths and lengths, gradually growing and shrinking in size.

To see Convergence and other famous pieces by Jackson Pollock, click here.

Final Thoughts

With that, there is a complete introduction to the line. While many of you probably had an idea of what a line was (I definitely hope so!), I hope this clarified some different aspects of the line for you.

Be sure to stay tuned for more on this series on art fundamentals. If you enjoyed this post, give it a like, a comment, and a share on Instagram or Facebook – It really helps me out!

Stay healthy and wash ya nasty hands!

Jloui