Tip: Hierarchy of Forms

The Dalles Mountain Ranch by Cathleen Rehfeld

Hierarchy of forms is a concept in representational painting where large forms remain apparent even after details are added. Sometimes it is described as drawing large shapes first then refining those shapes without allowing them to lose their integrity.

The basic idea is that a composition will fail if it is decomposed into too many forms with competing values. It is the big shapes (or dominate value masses) that make a painting. These are the shapes that can be seen from across the room and draw the viewer in. They should be defined early in the design process and must not be compromised when details are added.

Ms. Rehfeld provides a good example of this concept in her painting of The Dalles Mountain Ranch. The primary shapes are clearly visible even with the variations in value, color and temperature that have been embedded in those shapes to give interest and detail.

Armand Cabrera says the following about this concept, introducing the idea of primary, secondary, and tertiary forms:

"The idea for Primary forms is a simple one. At its root all forms have a base structure that shows the effects of the overall light and shape without any details. Painting this correctly gives a sense of volume and weight to everything...

Secondary forms complement the primary form but never obscure it. An example in landscape painting would be a hillside of trees seen from a distance. The shape of the hill would be the primary form and the trees the secondary forms enhancing the character of the hill but not confusing its overall shape. It must always read as a hill...

Tertiary forms would be the individual trees on the hillside; you may choose to add enough details to some of these to create interest for the viewer but again they should always compliment the larger forms not obliterate them."

The blogger who goes by the name of "John K" (see John K Stuff) does a nice job of illustrating this concept using a single tree as an example: