Intro to Sculpture
Art 700, Professor Brian Peshek, Instructor
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 1:15 – 4:25pm
Lab fee: $40, Section # ______, Room 3305
Course description
This course introduces materials, techniques and concepts associated with the practice of
sculpture. Fabrication techniques will be a core component of this course. Assignments will
provide opportunities for students to solve sculptural problems utilizing various methods and
materials in a focused and individualized manner. Critiques will serve to enhance this focus and
provide the students with the necessary vocabulary to discuss their work in a coherent manner.
This is a studio, “hands on” course. The sculptural continuum is chronicled for historical and
cultural foundation. Students will develop analytical visual skills and critical awareness.
The two weekly 3 ½ hour class periods will be devoted to lectures, demonstrations, studio work
and group & individual critique. In addition to scheduled class time, “extra work” outside of
class may be necessary for successful completion of project assignments. The classroom is only
available during scheduled class times.
Course Objectives
 Students can demonstrate the ability to construct projects utilizing various
materials and techniques in a focused and individual manner.
 Students can analyze a three dimensional work using sculptural terms.
 Students can demonstrate an ability to fabricate a three dimensional object from a
two dimensional plan or drawing.
 Students can demonstrate proficient use of power equipment.
 Students will demonstrate a proper use of hand tools.
 Students will demonstrate problem-solving skills through selective material
application; select processes under self imposed parameters.
 Identify subject content relationships
Student Learning Outcome
Students will be able to articulate their artistic intentions and realize them in a sculptural
form.
Methods of Instruction: assigned projects, lectures, exam, paper, individual and class
critiques, demonstrations, suggested texts.
Lab Fee: $40 material fee payable to the bookstore. The fee covers the cost of clay,
glazes, sand paper, adhesives, blades, plaster, dust masks, etc.
Course requirements
The semester will consist of three (3) critical thinking based assignments. You will be given
direction with each supplied assignment sheet. A problem to be solved advances your formal
and conceptual skills. Due dates vary with each assignment. Projects not present at the critique
are considered late. Late assignments will not be critiqued. Late assignments are docked 10%.
You have until the week before finals to turn in any late work.
Classes consist of roughly 1 hour of lecture covering principles, terminology, processes,
materials, slides, demonstrations and critiques. The remainder of class periods will be
considered lab work and concentrate on projects and assignments.
Approximately 3 – 6 hours a week of work outside of class will be necessary to successfully
complete projects on time. Individual projects will be graded using a number system, and are
worth 200 points each.
Assignments
Each project will address one of the three scales of sculptures: the interior being, which relates
to the conscious self; the exterior being, to which the physical body relates; and the
environment, which the body fits into.
You will learn the fundamentals of wood fabrication, clay modeling, and plaster casting.
Throughout the course, slide lectures and readings on artists and art works will demonstrate how
similar problems were addressed in the past.
Evaluation
Your grades are based on three (3) factors:



Concept – How much thought did you put into your solution? What theories have
you posed, and can you back up the chosen? Is the work inventive/unique?
Quality – Is there a high level of craft exhibited? Is the composition visually and
physically compelling? Does the work engage the viewer? Is it equally interesting from every angle?
Commitment – Did you use class time effectively and come well prepared? Did you take risks? How
many solutions did you invent for each problem? Was there an effort to learn regardless of outcome? How
frequent and substantial were your contributions to class discussions and critiques?
Class participation
Student involvement, performance and preparedness during class factor in grade. This includes
having input during critiques and discussions, having supportive and timely sketches, and
availability of tools and materials. A class participation grade will be earned each day. This
score is part of each assignment grade.
Attendance
Attendance is crucial. The information that you receive during the class lecture and
demonstrations is vital to the production of work in the studio, as well as general safety. A
substantial amount of work is done in class, and with some projects, entirely done in class. Your
performance will suffer every time you are absent, late or leave early. If you miss more than
two weeks of class for any reason, you should expect a final grade of “C” or lower. *Excused
absences will not excuse assignments or change due dates. Class starts promptly. Demos and
lectures are given at the beginning of class. If missed, they will not be repeated. Be on time.
If you stop attending class, it is your responsibility to make it official with admissions.
Generally, the first half hour of class will be devoted to lecture, demos and crits.
Critiques
Every assignment will be critiqued by the instructor and/or the class (group critique) at the
beginning of class on due date. The group critique is an evaluation tool to see how well each
student understands the concepts. The critique is part of the project grade. Not being present at
critique will adversely affect grade. Only finished work will be included in a critique. No late
work will be critiqued. Ten points will be subtracted from assignments turned in late. You have
till week 14 to turn in late work.
Quizzes
A series of brief tests will be given throughout the semester. The questions on the test will
directly pertain to the information given throughout the semester in the lectures, demos and
include key vocabulary. You will need scantron 882e long and a #2 pencil.
Studio Requirements
Due to the number of other classes using the studio, it is essential that we maintain an
orderly, safe and clean workspace. There is limited space to store work in process. Work
in progress should be stored in hall lockers or on studio shelves. At the end of class,
tables and floors must be free of materials, tools and trash. Finished projects must be
removed from the studio within one week of completed critique. Take them home,
recycle them or put them in trash.
Clean up after yourselves! Sweep the floor, discard waste materials and return tools to
appropriate storage cabinets.
Use common sense!
Classroom Etiquette/ Safety
No tool or piece of equipment may be used until a safety demonstration has been given.
If you miss a demo, the tool cannot be utilized until safety checked.
Have respect for others, their work and the workspace.
Clean up after yourself. You make the mess - you clean it.
Work safely, follow proper procedures – ask if you don’t know.
Do not come to class if you are under the influence of alcohol, or other substances that
may affect your motor skills. Tight spaces, power tools and equipment require you to be
alert and thoughtful.
Remove jewelry, tie back long hair and wear appropriate safety gear when operating
power tools. The floor can become slippery, please wear appropriate shoes.
4:00 is clean up. All tools and projects need to be put away.
4:10 – 4:20 Clean-up your personal mess, then contribute to general class clean-up:
Floors swept, tables and sinks wiped clean.
4:20 – 4:30 last minute comments about the following week or TBA dates and possible
relocations. Stay for the duration of class, I make a real effort to help every student
individually.
Suggested reading
The Sculptural Idea - James Kelly - materials, technical information
The Language of Sculpture - William Tucker - observations on early modern sculpture
Beyond Modern Sculpture - Jack Burnham - essays on 20th century sculpture
Passages in Modern Sculpture - Rosalind Krauss - Art historical/ critical essays
The Nature and Art of Workmanship - David Pye - explores the meaning of skill and its
relationship to design and manufacture
Principles of form and design, Wucius Wong.
Shaping space, the dynamics of 3-D design, 3rd ed., Zelanski and Fisher.
Launching the imagination, a guide to 3-D design, 2nd ed., Mary Stewart.
Materials
Always bring sketchbook, notebook, pen and pencil (drawing materials). There is a $40.00
materials fee due next week payable at the student store. Tell cashier the class section # and
retain receipt with your name on it and bring to next class meeting. Remember, the lab fee
covers clay, glazes, plaster, and adhesives, but there will be other supplies that you will need
for your specific projects.
Grading
You are graded on a point system. Your final grade represents a percentage of the total points
earned for the semester. The breakdown follows:
Assignments
Quizzes
Paper
Clean-up
Total
600
150
150
100
1000 points
Semester grade point scale:
1000 – 900 = A, 899 – 800 = B, 799 – 700 = C, 699 – 600 = D
Student responsibilities/conduct
 MUTE ALL CELL PHONES, no calls made or taken in class.
 Attend all classes for full duration.
 Keep track of all due dates and points you have earned.
 If you stop attending class, you must officially withdraw in admissions.
 No headphones (ipods)
 Clean up after yourself.
 Don’t make excuses for missing dates or not doing your best.
 Take ownership of the grade you earned, Not what the teacher gave you.
 Have all required materials for every class.
 Challenge yourself.
 Pay attention.
 Ask questions.
 Be unique and never plagiarize.
Office hours
T & TH, 4:30 – 5:00pm
brianpeshek@yahoo.com
* Plagiarism is defined as (1) “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own”
(2) to “use (another’s production) without crediting the source,” (3) to commit literary theft: or
present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.
Merriam – Webster, 2007.
Suggested Art Supply Stores Aaron Brothers, 19215 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana • 818/342 -2277
Aaron Brothers, 10151 Reseda Blvd., Northridge
Continental Art Supplies, 7041 Reseda Blvd., Reseda, 818.345.1044
Carter Sexton, 5308 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood, 818.763.5050
Mittel's Art Center, 22100 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA, 818.710.0517
Swain's, 537 N. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 818.243.3129
Dick Blicks, 44 S. Raymond Ave. (just S. of Colorado), Old Town Pasadena
Dodd’s Marble Supply 21204 Bryant St. Canoga Park, CA 91304 818 - 727-1336