3-D Art Processes: 3-D Art Processes: SculptureSculpture

An IntroductionAn Introduction As an art form, sculpture differs from painting As an art form, sculpture differs from painting

in that it exists in actual space. It can be seen, in that it exists in actual space. It can be seen, touched, and even walked around.touched, and even walked around.

Painting may hope to suggest an illusion of Painting may hope to suggest an illusion of space.space.

Sculpture is 3-D; Paintings are 2-D.Sculpture is 3-D; Paintings are 2-D.

Objectives:Objectives: NameName several three-dimensional processes and several three-dimensional processes and

identify the media used in each.identify the media used in each. ExplainExplain how relief sculpture differs from how relief sculpture differs from

sculpture in the round.sculpture in the round. SpecifySpecify why the choice of materials is why the choice of materials is

important for both sculptor and viewer.important for both sculptor and viewer. Describe Describe the sculpture processes of modeling, the sculpture processes of modeling,

casting, carving, and assembling.casting, carving, and assembling. CreateCreate a three-dimensional work of art. a three-dimensional work of art.

Relief SculptureRelief Sculpture Not all sculptures can be viewed from all sides.Not all sculptures can be viewed from all sides. Relief sculptures are similar in some ways to painting Relief sculptures are similar in some ways to painting

in that their 3-D forms are attached to a flat surface.in that their 3-D forms are attached to a flat surface. Like paintings, these works are designed to be viewed Like paintings, these works are designed to be viewed

from only the front.from only the front. In low relief, or bas relief, the In low relief, or bas relief, the forms project only forms project only

slightly from the background. slightly from the background. In high relief, In high relief, the sculptured forms extend boldly out the sculptured forms extend boldly out

into space.into space.

High ReliefHigh Relief This Old Kingdom This Old Kingdom

high relief sculpture of high relief sculpture of King Mycerinus King Mycerinus Between Two Between Two Goddesses shows the Goddesses shows the formal stance and formal stance and perfection that was perfection that was used to depict the used to depict the Pharaoh in Egyptian Pharaoh in Egyptian Art in the Old and Art in the Old and Middle Kingdoms. Middle Kingdoms. 

Low, or Bas ReliefLow, or Bas Relief

Sculpture in the RoundSculpture in the Round Sculpture in the round Sculpture in the round is freestanding is freestanding

sculpture surrounded on all sides by space.sculpture surrounded on all sides by space. However, not all freestanding sculptures are However, not all freestanding sculptures are

meant to be seen from all sides.meant to be seen from all sides. Many are designed to be examined only from Many are designed to be examined only from

the front and sides in much the same way one the front and sides in much the same way one would almost look at 2-D art works. would almost look at 2-D art works.

An example of such is the ancient Egyptian An example of such is the ancient Egyptian statue of the Lady Senuwy.statue of the Lady Senuwy.

The Winged VictoryThe Winged Victory

Winged Victory of SamothraceMarble, h. 3.28 m (11 ft)Found on the island of RhodesAround 190 BCMusee du Louvre, Paris

Was created to bean angel at thefront of a ship.

Materials and Tools for SculptureMaterials and Tools for Sculpture

What could one use when creating sculpture?What could one use when creating sculpture? ClayClay WoodWood StoneStone MetalMetal

Materials, Cont’d.Materials, Cont’d.

Auguste Rodin used clay because it is easy to Auguste Rodin used clay because it is easy to manipulate and offers a great deal of spontaneity.manipulate and offers a great deal of spontaneity.

He added freshness and vitality to a portrait of a He added freshness and vitality to a portrait of a young woman.young woman.

Jean-Antoine Houdon proved that marble could be an Jean-Antoine Houdon proved that marble could be an excellent choice of medium.excellent choice of medium.

It can be carved and polished to capture the warmth, It can be carved and polished to capture the warmth, soft, silky look and feel of a child’s face.soft, silky look and feel of a child’s face.

Auguste Rodin – Bust of a Woman

1865

Jean-Antoine Houdon

Louise BrongniartDate Unknown

Processes of SculptureProcesses of Sculpture Modeling – Modeling – A process in which a soft, pliable A process in which a soft, pliable

material is built up and shaped.material is built up and shaped. The artist uses a material such as clay, wax, or The artist uses a material such as clay, wax, or

plaster.plaster. Because the artist adds more and more material to Because the artist adds more and more material to

build a 3-D form, modeling is referred to as an build a 3-D form, modeling is referred to as an additive process.additive process.

Armatures (or support systems) are used to provide Armatures (or support systems) are used to provide support needed as the artist builds the sculpture support needed as the artist builds the sculpture around it. These are usually made of metal.around it. These are usually made of metal.

Angel with the Superscription

Gianlorenzo Bernini1667 - 69

CarvingCarving Carving Carving – – A process of cutting or chipping a A process of cutting or chipping a

form from a given mass of material to create a form from a given mass of material to create a sculpture.sculpture.

Unlike modeling, which is an additive process, Unlike modeling, which is an additive process, carving is subtractive.carving is subtractive.

Material is removed until the sculpture is Material is removed until the sculpture is completely exposed.completely exposed.

Stone carving is a process that has changed Stone carving is a process that has changed little over the centuries.little over the centuries.

Carving, Cont’d.Carving, Cont’d. Flat-toothed chisels were originally used; Flat-toothed chisels were originally used;

Today, many power tools are utilized.Today, many power tools are utilized. The effect is to provide a warm luster to the The effect is to provide a warm luster to the

finished product.finished product. One must take into consideration that every One must take into consideration that every

stone has its own weaknesses and stone has its own weaknesses and characteristics.characteristics.

Today, ice sculptures are created for many Today, ice sculptures are created for many events – created from chainsaws!events – created from chainsaws!

The Reclining Pan - 1535Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli

St. Cosmas

CastingCasting Casting –Casting – A process where melted-down metal A process where melted-down metal

or other liquid substance is poured into a mold or other liquid substance is poured into a mold to harden.to harden.

When poured into the mold, excess material When poured into the mold, excess material leaks out. leaks out.

This is called This is called cire-perdue – cire-perdue – or “lost wax”or “lost wax” Investment – A fireproof moldInvestment – A fireproof mold

AssemblyAssembly Assembly –Assembly – The process where the artist The process where the artist

gathers and joins together a variety of gathers and joins together a variety of different materials to construct a 3-D work of different materials to construct a 3-D work of art.art.

They use found objects as their media, or They use found objects as their media, or common or unusual objects are placed together common or unusual objects are placed together to create a work of art.to create a work of art.

Kinetic ArtKinetic Art Kinetic Art Kinetic Art is is a a

sculptural form that sculptural form that actually moves in space.actually moves in space.

Movements are caused Movements are caused my natural phenomena.my natural phenomena.