He appears to be roughly molded out of a clay-like substance, whereas the immediately surrounding flowers have a more chiseled appearance as though they were made of angular mosaic tiles. The shapes within the painting lack symmetry and do not allow any comfort for the viewer. Shape suggests what the objects surrounding the demon are, but they do not conform to nature. The petals of the flowers are in a slightly rounded shape, but they lack the perfection of nature. In this respect, shape causes emotional conflict.
Shape also manipulates the space on the canvas.
The flowers behind the demon push in on him, and don't allow him the opportunity to face in that direction. The demon can only look forward. The position of the flowers forces the demon to look toward the left side of the canvas. The viewer is also forced to look from right to left which is a very unnatural occurrence in viewing. Vrubel also used color to convey messages to the viewer.