Formalism means priority to the heroic human figure, arrangement, style and rational organization and little concern of content. Learning to make art without knowing the true nature of culture and subculture. A better understanding of the underlying theory to learning to draw frogs (French stereretotype and cliche is Frog formalism).
What's a metaphor?
A not-so-subtle image of a picture.
Formalism looks more as a significant form rather than its mere outward appearance.
New historicism
How art could be made from virtually any material? Think of cuttlefish natural color.