Lesson video

"Drawing Skills: Drawing With 3D." For the art and design unit "Foundation Workshops: Developing Skills." Hello, my name is Miss Badru.

I hope that you are all doing well.

I'm really looking forward to teaching and learning with you today.

Our learning outcome for this lesson is: "I can create a 3D drawing using wire or other materials to represent line, contour, and form in space." Our keywords for this lesson are: "contour," "form," "construction," and "armature." Let's explore each keyword in turn to find out what they mean.

Contour: the outline of a shape or object.

Form: the 3D structure or volume created through arrangement of materials.

Construction: the process of assembling parts to create a structure or artwork.

Armature: a supporting framework that gives stability to a sculpture.

Those are our keywords: "contour," "form," "construction," and "armature." Our lesson outline for "Drawing Skills: Drawing With 3D." So let's begin with our first learning cycle: Introduction to 3D drawing.

Is it possible to draw without a pencil? Drawing is a varied process that is not limited to staying only on paper.

Artists might use wire, string, and other materials to make drawings that exist in space.

Think of it as drawing in 3D space.

Imagine a pencil line lifted off the page and floating in the air.

Wire and string allow us to create lines that move through 3D space, shaping outlines and contours.

Many physical materials can be used to create contour lines.

Lines can be twisted, manipulated, and shaped into 3D forms to create 3D drawings.

You could use: wire, tape, pipe cleaners, string, paper clips, cardboard strips.

Artists experiment with 3D drawing to produce varied results.

Let's take a look.

Alexander Calder was a pioneer of wire sculpture and drawings in space.

He is known for playful mobiles and contour wire portraits.

Ruth Asawa emphasized craft traditions and drawing through form to create delicate looped wire sculptures.

Nnenna Okore works with rope, string, and biodegradable materials to create woven, textural forms that explore space.

Okay, let's have a check-in here for understanding.

Why might an artist use wire or string for drawing? Is it: A, to make the drawing easier to erase? Or B, to replace traditional sculptures in spaces? C, to save on paper costs and space? D, to create 3D lines and forms that exist in space? Pause for a moment here and think about your answer, and we'll resume together again shortly.

Which one do you think is the correct answer? Let's take a look.

And the answer is: D.

To create 3D lines and forms that exist in space.

Think of the material as your pencil line.

Work slowly, adjusting and bending the material carefully.

Your initial goal is not detail but constructing a strong, clear contour line drawing in space.

The more you work with your chosen material, the more you will understand about how it works, what constructions are possible with it.

For instance, pipe cleaners or thick wire will hold their shape on their own easier than cardboard strips, allowing you to develop detailed and accurate forms. Discuss with a partner a possible 3D drawing you could make, and consider what the material constraints might be.

Pause for a moment here to undertake this mini task, and resume when you are ready.

Sofia says, "I want to use a range of wires to create natural forms like trees and wildlife.

I'll need to experiment with wire thickness to balance detail with structural integrity." Andeep says, "I want to use wire to explore space in a more abstract way, by moving the material in and around itself to see how I can create a sense of movement." Okay, let's have a check-in here for understanding.

What is the main difference between a 2D contour drawing and a 3D contour drawing? Is it: A, 2D is more realistic than 3D drawings in space? Or B, 3D drawings always need color to show space? C, 3D uses physical materials to represent line in space? D, 2D drawings don't show movement in space? So pause here for a moment and think about your answer, and we'll resume together again shortly.

Okay, what do you think the answer is? Let's take a look.

And the correct answer is: C.

3D uses physical materials to represent line in space.

Let's bring our focus and attention to task A: Create a contour drawing in 3D.

You should: choose a simple object, such as a cup, leaf, or hand, as your subject.

Use wire, string, or paper clips to create your 3D drawing.

Focus on capturing form through outlines.

Focus on the proportions of the object.

Pause the video here whilst you undertake this creative task, and resume when you are ready.

Okay, let's resume together again for feedback for task A, in which you were asked to create a contour drawing in 3D.

You might have: "I used aluminum, two-millimeter wire to create a selection of flowers.

I focused on the contour lines for the stems and petals, twisting coils into it to capture details.

I would like to use a thicker gauge wire to create emphasis." Okay, let's move on to our second learning cycle: Developing 3D forms. Once you've drawn a simple outline, you can build structure.

Add extra lines to overlap, twist, or support your 3D drawing, creating depth and movement to move beyond contours.

Depending on your material constraints and the scale of your 3D drawing, it may require extra support to hold its shape and form.

An armature is a supporting framework in 3D drawing.

It helps your wire or string stay stable, like the skeleton of your work.

Your armature might be built from wire, cardboard, or another strong material.

Carefully check to see how much weight your armature can support without overloading it.

Some 3D drawings, forms, and sculptures are built to last.

They may be exhibited and displayed.

Others are made for the moment, and the drawing will be lost once moved.

Make sure you document and photograph your 3D drawings so that you can evaluate and review them later on.

Let's have a check-in here for understanding: What is an armature in 3D drawing? Here are our options: Is it: A, a type of drawing pencil for shading 3D forms? Or B, a framework that supports a 3D form? Or C, a shading technique for 3D forms? And D, a perspective method for capturing 3D forms? Pause here for a moment and think about your answer, and we'll resume together again shortly.

What do you think the answer is? Let's take a look.

So, the correct answer is B.

An armature is a framework that supports a 3D form.

Think about line quality in your 3D drawing.

Try to vary thicknesses, curves, and overlapping elements to make a more intricate and evocative result.

If you are depicting an existing form, step back and check your overall proportions, just as you would for a 2D drawing.

3D drawings do not need to function in the same way as a 2D sketch.

3D drawings might be made to represent an existing object or form, or they can be constructed to explore space in a nonrepresentational manner.

Can you think of any 3D sculptures you have seen that explore space in this way? So pause for a moment here and think about this question, and resume when you are ready.

Many artists and sculptors create 3D forms that explore spatial dimensions and are non-representational structures.

Let's take a look.

Delaine Le Bas uses textiles, embroidery, wire, and found objects in immersive installations to create 3D spatial drawings.

Siah Armajani creates architectural and sculptural works that use lattice, grids, and line-based structures that explore space.

Naum Gabo is known for making transparent sculptures made of wire and plastic that explore lines as physical structures.

If your drawing looks flat, try overlapping or changing direction.

If it collapses, strengthen it with extra supports or reinforce the armature.

Remember that there are different material constraints for each material you use, so consider what is achievable with the materials you have on hand.

As you draw in space, turn your work regularly to view your developing form from different angles.

Consider principles of art, such as balance or emphasis, as you create.

Depending on your intention, you might choose to create balance and harmony or imbalance and discord.

Emphasis may be created by overlapping and twisting wires to create a heavier line weight.

Alternatively, artists may select a thicker gauge wire.

If working in cardboard, color or texture may be used to create emphasis and focus.

Let's have a check-in here for understanding: True or false? 3D drawings must look exactly like 2D sketches.

Is this statement true or false? So pause for a moment here and think about your answer and why.

We'll resume together shortly.

What do you think the correct answer is? Let's take a look.

And the correct answer is false.

Why might this be? 3D drawing explores form and space.

It's about expressing line, contour, and movement in three dimensions, not replicating flat sketches.

Okay, let's bring our focus and attention to task B: Create a 3D drawing with contour and structure.

You should: choose a more complex object, such as a shoe, mug, or bottle.

Use overlapping and expressive lines.

Consider the material that you have selected to work with and the constraints of that material.

Consider balance and emphasis.

Turn your work regularly to view the drawing in 3D.

Pause the video here to complete this task, and resume when you are ready.

Okay, let's come together and focus on feedback for task B.

And you were asked to create a 3D drawing with contour and structure.

You might have, according to Laura's response: "I made this 3D drawing of a bird using thick wire.

I used pliers to bend and manipulate the material and used overlapping lines to create a more intricate structure.

With the help of my teacher, I used a soldering iron to create joins." So now we have arrived at our summary: "Drawing Skills: Drawing With 3D." Drawing can move beyond paper by using materials like wire and string to construct "lines in space." 3D drawings develops understanding of form, balance, and structure.

Materials can be manipulated to suggest contours, proportion, and movement.

I hope that you have enjoyed this lesson.

I look forward to seeing you again next time.

In the meantime, take care, and see you again soon.

Bye for now.