What is a single word for something that takes on shape slowly?

I am looking for a single word describing something that takes on shape slowly (such as a silhouette in the night that gets more defined the closer you get to it).

It would be great if the word could be used for the process of getting to know someone better (their character would be taking on shape slowly the more you get to know them).

Solution 1:

The first option that came to mind for me was coalesce:

1: to grow together

2a : to unite into a whole : fuse

3: to arise from the combination of distinct elements

Solution 2:

crystallize

to assume definite or concrete form

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/crystallize

For years, I wondered who had signed up for all of the slots, and eventually a character started to crystallize in my imagination.

(from Real Thrills And High Art In A Poignant Page-Turner Of A Novel by Susan Cheever)

There may be an even better word for it, only it seems to escape me just now.