New
New
Lesson 1 of 9
  • Year 10

3D Design: introduction to the principles of sculpture

I can explore and apply the core principles of sculpture to create a maquette.

Lesson 1 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

3D Design: introduction to the principles of sculpture

I can explore and apply the core principles of sculpture to create a maquette.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sculpture is a three-dimensional art form.
  2. Principles include form, space, balance, texture, proportion, and movement.
  3. Traditional and modern sculpture transform materials into expressive forms.

Keywords

  • Sculpture - a three-dimensional art form

  • Maquette - a small-scale model used to visualise and test a sculpture before making it.

Common misconception

Sculpture must be realistic or life-like to be considered good.

Sculpture can be abstract or symbolic, focusing on space, balance, and movement rather than realism.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: 3D Design: introduction to the principles of sculpture, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Adapt artists and subject matter to reflect student interests. Model how to describe sculpture using the core principles. Emphasise that there’s no single ‘right’ answer—individual interpretation and experimentation are part of the process.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pencils, sketchbooks, sculpture images, mid-tone paper, light/dark drawing tools, clay, card, wire, modroc, and recycled materials for maquette exploration.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a sculpture?

A painting on paper
A type of drawing using charcoal
Correct answer: Art made in 3D form
A photograph of an object

Q2.
Which of these materials can be used to make a sculpture?

Clay
Wire
Card
Correct answer: All of the above

Q3.
What does 3D mean in art?

It has colour
It moves by itself
It is made on a screen
Correct answer: It has height, width, and depth

Q4.
Match the sculpture tool to its use

Correct Answer:Wire cutters,Cut through metal wire

Cut through metal wire

Correct Answer:Clay tool,Shape soft clay

Shape soft clay

Correct Answer:Chisel,Carve or chip away at hard materials like stone or wood

Carve or chip away at hard materials like stone or wood

Q5.
What is an armature in sculpture?

A sculpture made from arms
A type of clay
Correct answer: The frame or support inside a sculpture
A kind of paint used on sculpture

Q6.
Which of these sculptures would be considered freestanding?

Correct answer: A statue you can walk around
A relief carved into a wall
A painting of a sculpture
A drawing of a figure

Additional material

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