Balls Quote by Burne Hogarth
“There are three kinds of forms in the human figure: Ovoid forms - egg, ball and barrel masses; Column forms - cylinder, cone; Spatulate forms - box, slab and wedge blocks.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Figure Drawing for All It's 1950s
He categorizes human body shapes into three groups—ovoid, column, and spatulate—each with specific geometric characteristics.
In simple terms: Human bodies fit three shape groups.
Key Takeaway
Use shape categories for accurate drawing.
Themes
art
anatomy
design
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
instructional
technical
When to use this quote
- portrait sketching
- figure studies
- character design
- animation rigging
Key Concepts
Geometric forms
visual analysis
proportion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle mixed‑shape figures?
- What tools aid in identifying subtle shape variations?
A Different Perspective
Real bodies often blend categories, not fitting neatly.
![“When one has reached maturity in this art, one will have the formless form. It is like the dissolving or thawing [of] ice into water that can shape itself to any structure. When one has no form, one can be all forms; when one has no style, one can fit in with any style.” quote by Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a5/bruce-lee-430_art_when-one-has-reached-maturity-in-this-ar_1212869.jpg)
