Lesson video

Hello, everyone.

How are you? I hope you're feeling really good.

My name is Ms. Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm really pleased about that because today we are looking at 3D Design.

Our lesson is called 3D Design: An Introduction to the Principles of Sculpture.

Hope that sounds interesting to you.

Our lesson comes from the unit of work Foundation Workshops: An Introduction to the Areas of Study.

So this is really something quite foundational that we'll be looking at today.

And if you are ready with some energy, focus and enthusiasm, we'll begin.

The outcome for today's lesson is I can apply the core principles of sculpture to create a maquette.

We have some keywords in our lesson.

Let's go through them.

Sculpture and maquette.

A sculpture is a three-dimensional art form, and maquette is a small-scale model used to visualise and test a sculpture before making it.

These are our keywords.

Let's look out for them and listen out for them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

Our lesson is called 3D Design: Introduction to the Principles of Sculpture, and it has three learning cycles.

What is sculpture, understanding spatial thinking, and applying the principles of sculpture.

Let's begin by exploring what is sculpture? And let's zoom ahead to the end of our lesson and take a look at what an outcome for this lesson could be.

Oh my, how interesting, how intriguing.

Hopefully that has piqued your interest.

So what makes something sculptural? And can a pile of rocks be a sculpture? Pause here and share with someone your answer to these two questions.

Thanks for sharing.

Sculpture can be abstract, symbolic, realistic, interactive, or even kinetic.

And we can see some kinetic moving sculptures on the screen now.

A sculpture occupies real space, is viewed from multiple angles, and often invites physical interaction.

Pause the video and share with someone have you had an interaction with a sculpture? Thanks for sharing.

Take a look at these three sculptures.

What do they have in common? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

And what makes each one sculptural? Pause the video and discuss this with someone nearby.

Thanks for discussing this.

Let's hear from Laura, "They all look like they're stacked purposefully with round objects like rocks and pebbles." And Jun, "I think they're sculptural because they all take up space in their different environments." I wonder if you had answers like these.

Pause the video and share with someone, which of these three sculptures are you most drawn towards? Thanks for sharing.

I think they're all so interesting, but I think the silver one could give some really interesting reflections in the cityscape where it's placed.

Check for understanding, which of these is not a defining feature of sculpture? Is it A, mass, B, scale, C, flatness, or D, shape? Pause here while you decide which is not the defining feature of sculpture? Well done if you selected answer C.

Indeed, flatness is not a defining feature of sculpture while mass, scale and shape certainly are.

What do all these words have in common: scale, balance, rhythm, shape, unity, proportion, variety, volume, mass? Pause here while you decide what these words all have in common.

Thanks for sharing.

These are the principles of sculpture.

They're the key ideas that help artists design and build strong 3D work.

Scale and proportion.

Scale is the size in relation to humans or surroundings.

Proportion is the size relationship between parts.

Does the sculpture scale feel open or cramped? And do the proportions invite movement around it? Pause here while you share about these two questions.

Thanks for sharing.

Unity and variety.

Sculptures can be abstract or representational.

Unity creates cohesion.

Variety adds interest with diverse elements including shapes, textures, et cetera.

How would you describe the unity and variety of this sculpture? Pause here while you share about this.

Thanks for sharing.

I think there's a real sense of unity through these shapes, the similar shapes, and variety through the different sizes and the way the light is reflecting.

Let's have a check for understanding.

True or false, a sculpture must represent something recognisable? Pause here and decide is this true or false? Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

A sculpture does not need to represent something recognisable as it can be abstract and still express powerful ideas through form, space and movement.

Rhythm and balance.

Rhythm creates a flow or tempo within the sculpture that guides the viewer's eye.

Balance can be physical so it doesn't fall over or visual so it looks right to the eye.

Check for understanding, which of these is an obvious example of physical balance? Pause here while you decide, is it A, B or C? Well done if you selected answer B.

Indeed, the sculpture of the balancing pebbles is an obvious example of physical balance.

Let's move on to exploring mass and volume.

Mass is the sculpture's physical weight.

Volume is the space it occupies.

How does the sculpture use mass and volume to create dramatic elements in this work? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Shape is the outline or contour of the sculpture.

What shapes can you identify in this sculpture? Pause here and share with somebody.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Jun, "I can see curved, twisting shapes that spread out like the roots of an upturned tree.

It feels natural, with flowing organic outlines." Check for understanding, which principle is described? The sculpture has a strong outline and clear contours, is it A, balance, B, shape, C, mass, or D, rhythm? Pause here while you decide.

Well done if you chose shape.

Indeed, this strong outline and clear contours describes shape.

The principles of sculpture are important because they guide how we build, shape and experience sculptural forms. Do you know anyone that sculpts? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

One of my best friend's sculpts using clay and creates some very, very beautiful forms. Artists who use the principles of sculpture to guide how they build sculptural forms include: Barbara Hepworth used smooth, organic shapes and negative space to explore balance, unity and volume in natural materials.

Jean Tinguely created kinetic sculptures that use motion, repetition and interaction to explore rhythm, variety and balance.

So Sokari Douglas Camp uses welded steel to explore themes of identity and history through balanced, expressive human forms. And Thomas J.

Price works in bronze and resin to create monumental sculptures that explore everyday presence, scale and unity.

So we can see there are a number of artists using the principles of sculpture to guide how they build sculptural forms. And now it's time for your first task.

I would like you to select one sculpture and look carefully at it.

What materials has the artist used? Which two principles of sculpture are most important in this piece? Choose from scale and proportion, unity and variety, rhythm and balance, mass and volume, or shape.

Explain why you chose those two principles.

You might record this as an idea shower around an image of an artwork, write it as a paragraph, create an audio or film recording.

Pause here while you have a go at this task.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It's good to be back with you.

So how did you get on with that task of choosing one sculpture and looking carefully at it? You might have said something like this.

It looks like smooth, painted plaster or resin.

Rhythm and balance are important in this work.

Balance because the open areas that let the shapes interlock make it feel sturdy and balanced.

Rhythm because the curves make it look like it's flowing or moving.

And now we're onto our next learning cycle, understanding spatial thinking.

Spatial thinking means understanding how objects exist and relate to each other in three dimensions.

It helps artists plan, draw and build forms that show depth, structure and different viewpoints.

Let's have a check for understanding.

What does spatial thinking help an artist do? An is it A, choose the right colours for a painting, B, see how a 3D form looks from different angles, C, decide what material to use for a sculpture, or D, create patterns and designs? Pause here while you decide.

Well done if you select an answer B, to see how a 3D form looks from different angles.

Drawing is a sculptor's tool to test structural ideas before building in 3D.

Inspiration for sculptures can come from unexpected places.

What items can you see that might provide an interesting starting point for a sculpture? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Look at this crumpled paper example.

It may seem simple, but drawing it helps you how forms twist, fold, and take up space.

What shapes do you see? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Where are the darkest and lightest areas? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Check for understanding.

True or false, inspiration for sculpture must come from a recognisable object? Pause here and decide is this true or false? Well done if you selected false, and now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Sculptures often find inspiration in unexpected or abstract sources, not just familiar or recognisable objects.

Even overlooked or everyday items can spark creative ideas.

Spatial understanding can be developed by drawing with awareness of positive space, that's the object itself, and negative space, that's the space around and between forms. To understand positive and negative space, try using mid-tone paper and light and dark drawing tools.

Block out shapes, simplify into basic volumes.

Focus on light/shadow relationships.

This method helps you understand how sculpture uses space, not just shape.

And now it's time for your next task.

I would like you to draw an everyday 3D object from multiple angles to understand spatial thinking.

Look carefully at your chosen object from the front, top and side.

Focus on positive and negative space, depth and shape.

So pause here while you have a go at your task.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It's good to be back with you.

How did you get on with your task, drawing an everyday 3D object from multiple angles to understand spatial thinking? Your work may have included: simplified shapes, highlighted dark and light tones, and multiple viewpoints.

Well done for having a go at this task.

And now we're onto our final learning cycle, applying the principles of sculpture.

A maquette is a small 3D model of a sculpture, and we can see a hanging maquette using wire and foil.

It helps artists visualise their sculpture in space before making a full-sized version.

It lets you experiment with material qualities and discover unexpected shapes and forms. Maquettes can be made from many materials including: cardboard, foil, packaging, wire, twigs, found objects, and clay.

Check for understanding.

Why might an artist create a maquette? Is it A, to copy another artist's work, B, to test ideas and materials, C, to create a painting, or D, to avoid drawing? Pause here while you decide why might an artist create a maquette? Well done if you chose answer B.

Indeed, it's to test ideas and materials.

Traditional and modern sculpture transform materials into expressive forms. We can see a very detailed cardboard relief sculpture, a portrait on the left, and some resin and timber on the.

Sculptors use techniques such as carving, modelling, casting, and construction to manipulate materials and achieve their artistic vision.

You can see someone carving, there's some modelling materials, casting taking place, and there's a construction.

Check for understanding.

True or false, a maquette is a full-sized sculpture that is always made from expensive materials? Pause here and decide, is this true or false? Well done if you selected false.

Now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

A maquette is a small model, not full-size.

Artists usually make them from simple, low-cost materials to test ideas before building the final sculpture.

Experimenting with different materials helps sculptors to understand each material's qualities and limitations, make informed choices about which material best suits the idea, and discover unexpected results through play and exploration.

That's a really fun part.

How would you turn a drawing of crumpled paper into a sculpture? Pause here and share with someone what would you do? Thanks for sharing.

Here's Laura, "I would use wire as a base to construct a frame and cover it with Modroc.

It's easy to manipulate, and a white surface captures light and shadow really well." And Jun, "I would use foil on the surface.

It would reflect the light and add a different texture compared to paper." Love these ideas.

Check for understanding.

True or false, sculptures can look very different even if artists start with the same idea? Pause here and decide is this true or false? Well done if you selected true.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Materials, techniques, and personal style all affect the final outcome.

Speaking of final outcomes, it's time for your final task.

I would like you to create a small maquette, a model or mock-up for a sculpture, using foil, wire, cardboard strips, or any other materials of your choice.

Focus on exploring the principles of sculpture.

Will it stand or tilt? What happens in the gaps? Will it feel dynamic or still? This is your chance to experiment, test how materials behave and how structural principles affect the result.

So pause here while you have a go at this task of creating a small maquette.

I'll see you when you're finished.

Enjoy your task.

It's great to be back with you.

How did you get on with your task of creating a small maquette? Your work may have looked like this.

Here's Laura, "I decided to make the shape of the crumpled paper with wire and play with the areas of negative space." Oh, I love your thinking there.

It's really exquisite.

And now for the next part of your task, I'd like you to engage in some reflection and peer critique.

Swap sculptures and discuss: did you use diverse elements to form a cohesive piece? Does the size and relationship between parts feel harmonious? How does the sculpture stand? Does it feel stable or unstable? How does your sculpture fill the space around it? Consider how you might photograph or display the sculpture to best show its form and structure.

So pause here while you have a go at this task, swapping sculptures and sharing your answers to these questions.

It's good to be back with you.

How did you get on with that reflection, peer critique? You may have said something like this.

Here's Aisha, "The sculpture uses a lot of space because it's open and airy.

The gaps make it feel light and let shadows form between the shapes." And Jacob, "The wire flows in different directions, which gives it movement.

I'd like to hang it so it spins and reflects the light." That's a lovely idea.

In our lesson 3D Design: Introduction to the Principles of Sculpture, we've covered the following.

Sculpture is a three-dimensional art form that can be viewed from multiple angles and interacts with space.

Artists use core principles of scale and proportion, unity and variety, rhythm and balance, mass and volume, and shape to guide the design and impact of their work.

Sculptors often create a maquette, a small-scale model, to test ideas before making a full piece.

Materials, techniques, and personal style influence the final outcome, even when from the same idea.

Well done everyone for joining in with this lesson.

It was great to explore 3D design with you, looking at all these different principles of sculpture and design, and of course, then creating your own maquette and reflecting upon them together.

I really enjoyed teaching you, and I hope you enjoyed this lesson too.

I look forward to seeing you at another art lesson soon.

Until then, stay creative.