>>6006338Shape language is actually very important as an artist because it helps lead the viewer through a painting. Good paintings usually have good shapes, and good shapes usually lead to an dynamic, flowing composition.
Another example of using shapes is in figure drawing. You want to lead the eye through the figure, from the top to the bottom. So as you draw you make sure that each line flows into each other. In a way, that is partly what gesture is. Gesture, shapes, composition, etc., they’re all tied to one another. Recognizing that and studying those concepts is what creates a great draftsman.
Like everything in art, there are no rules to painting, just tools. But using shapes to build your composition is a very powerful tool.
