Elements of Design: Shape
The silhouette or overall shape of a form is a significant design element that bears careful consideration and attention.
Bucking Bronco, below, by Frank Frazetta, is a stunning example of the power of engaging shape.
In the image below, Mark Schultz depicts a monster with arms outstretched (along with swords) which creates an engaging silhouette. Even the loin cloth of the monster is flipped up into a visually engaging shape that mimics the shape of the monster's arms and hands. Plus the lower right edge of the rock that the monster is standing on is silhouetted into a shape that is similar to the arms/hands and the loin cloth, hence repeating this design element even further. The forms are similar enough that it causes the viewer's eye to move from one similiar item to the next, thereby helping the viewer's eye to move through the work.
Further Analysis
Take a moment to look at the work below paying attention to how Schultz uses shape.
In this work Schultz repeats a starburst form three times. Doing so effectively causes the viewer's eye to jump from one starburst form to the next and pulls the viewer through the work. Each starburst is different, but the shapes are similiar enough for the viewer to make the connection, perhaps even subconsiously. The forms are Hannah's hand, the lion's head and his paw. Do you see them?
