The Form box is an essential tool for the Waichulis Curriculum as it further bridges the conceptual gap between the two dimensional image and the three dimensional world. The Gradation Patterns that are done prior to the Form Box are actually slightly abstracted representations of potential Form Box sections. This fact should make some aspects of the form box exercise seem somewhat familiar.
The forms often begin as white for use with the Language of Drawing and are later painted for use with the Language of Painting.
The original box itself contains several basic geometric solids, or ‘forms’, that can be configured in a way to compare and contrast the way light describes each. The manner in which light describes each form will reveal how we may create a representation of that same form on a drawing or painting surface.
While the Form Box is not currently available commercially, we do provide the plans for the Waichulis Form Box for free in the event that you choose to build one for yourself: http://www.waichulisstudiostore.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/WaichulisFormBoxPlans.pdf
Additionally, there are a number of online sources for geometric solids (specifically a sphere, cylinder, cone and cube). A quick web search for “geometric solids” should get you on your way.
You can see here the many ways in which the form box can be configured. Different protruding and recessing forms can be compared against each other. Students carefully study how the different forms react to the light and to each other. As some of the color forms are introduced a new level of interaction among the forms can be observed. Just as with the Gradation Pattern exercises, an artist preparing to tackle the form box should carefully observe each form’s color, value range and rates of change.
Here is a glimpse at a several Form Box exercises from the Ani Art Academy Waichulis:
WHITE FORMS:
COLOR FORMS:
w/COLOR SUBSTITUTION:
DETAIL:
