SCULPTURE
NAME: ________________________
The Sculpture Sketchbook
For each project you must complete the following:
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Part 1: RESERCH & SKETCHING
Part 2: CREATING the artwork itself
Part 3: CRITIQUE
By thoroughly researching, will refine your ideas and will
get better results in a timely fashion.
For each project there is a project planning guide that must be completed
PRIOR to the start of the project for HOMEWORK.
YOU CANNOT START A PROJECT UNTIL BOTH RESEARCH
AND SKETCHES ARE COMPLETE
PART 1: RESERCH & SKETCHING
1. Find at least one artist, art movement, or style that
inspires you
2. Find examples: find 3-5 images & paste them into your
sketchbooks
3. Search the internet: viable sources like museums,
libraries, artists’ sites, and galleries. Use the links on
my webpage. Stay away from commercial sites that
"SELL" artwork (like etsy, ebay, amazon, etc...)
4. Comment on the images. What physical characteristics
do you like or dislike about them?
5. Answer the questions on the project planning guide
6. Make 5-10 sketches (multiple angles)
7. Sketching should show quality in thought and inquiry, and
the exploration and growth of an idea.
8. Make sure to try a broad range of possibilities, rather than
nearly identical ideas.
9. The objective is to break away from your first cliché
response and to stretch your thoughts and grow a richer,
more interesting idea.
Examples:
Sketchbook Rubric
Research:
Sketching:
Minimum of one artist, art movement, or style
that inspires you, printed
3-5 reference images pasted in your sketchbook
Commentary/descriptions on what aspect you like
about each image or sketch.
Project Planning Guide
5 unique and creative ideas were developed with
at least 10 sketches – Have multiple angles.
Cliché elements DO NOT COUNT
Total
___/5
___/5
___/5
___/20
___/35
PART 2: CREATING
1. Answer the questions on the project planning guide
before you create your project
2. You cannot start your project till PART 1 is complete
PART 3: CRITIQUE
* Please see critiquing Guidelines
1.
PROJECT PLANNING GUIDE
Write a brief statement that explains your objective, task,
concept, or idea for this project.
2.
What are you trying to “say” or express with this piece?
3.
What makes your project relevant?
4.
What images come to mind when you think about your concept?
5.
What is the most important or impactful part of your project?
How will you emphasize that part?
6.
What color scheme will you use in your design? How will the
color affect the overall design?
7.
What surface treatment did you use, if any?
8.
How are you going to establish Balance? The form has a relation
to gravity or design. Beyond the technical necessity of being
able to stand upright, the work must have a visual balance or
equilibrium.
9.
What in the piece is unified? (all of the parts of a sculpture or pot
work together to produce a feeling of oneness or wholeness)
10. Variation or diversity within the work that creates interest. Too
much diversity can create a busy and disjointed piece of art work.
This can lead to confusion and will diminish the impact of the art
work. Not enough variety may result in a piece that is too boring.
Did you use variation in your design? How?
11. Movement/rhythm/harmony: Which shapes, lines and forms in
your work create a visual movement around the piece? Is there a
rhythm to your piece, if so what specifically show this? Do all the
elements create a harmonious work?
12. Is there any Repetition or Pattern? . Good art work has a rhythm
of parts or themes to lend support to the overall design.
Repetition does not necessarily mean duplication, although in
some cases this too can be effective.
Vocabulary:
Sculpture: A three-dimensional work of art. Such works are primarily
concerned with space (occupying it, relating to it, and influencing the
viewer’s perception of it)
Types of Sculptures:
 Non-objective Art: Having no readily identifiable resemblance to
recognizable forms or objects.
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Abstract: Referring to art which simplifies, emphasizes, or distorts
qualities of a real life image, often in order to present the essence
of that image
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Representational: Portrays objects that you can recognize in their
natural form
Main Types: Any sculpture can be molded, casted, carved or assembled
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sculpture-in-the-round: Freestanding: Sculpture in the round, e.g.
surrounded on all sides by space.
Relief: a form of sculpture in which the image projects from a
background.
Assemblage: creating sculpture by combining many elements—
especially found objects—into a complete work of art. The work is
"assembled" from many parts.
Kinetic: Two and three-dimensional artworks incorporating virtual or
real movement. Pol Bury, Jean Tinguely, Alexander Calder, Yaacov
Agam, George Rickey.
Additive Sculpture: a sculptural technique meaning to build up, to assemble
or to put on. Sculpture made by putting pieces together.
Subtractive Sculpture: A sculptural technique which material is carved or
cut away. Carving is a way of making sculpture by cutting away unwanted
parts.
Amorphous: Without definite form; lacking in structure.
Biomorphic: Shapes and forms associated with those found in nature, nonlinear. (organic).
Theriomorphic: having an animal form
Narrative: the representation of an event or story
CRITIQUING GUIDELINES
Description: What objective facts can you list?
Description: “the facts” the basic information of the artwork
 Artist Name:
 Title of the artwork:
 Date Completed: Month/Year
 Size: H” x W” x D”
 Medium:
 Description: Utilitarian or sculptural
 List the objects in the piece if any
Analysis: How is the work constructed or composed?
When writing the analysis, consider how the work is organized and
constructed. Discuss the elements and principles of design and how they are
used in the work. After writing each section read it aloud to hear how it
sounds. Does it flow well or is it abrupt.
USE THE PRINCIPLES TO DESCRIBE THE ELEMENTS
Strong Example: Using multiple repetitive triangular shapes, I attempted to
create a feeling of unity and movement throughout the piece.
Weak Example: I used many triangles. There is repetition.
Overall Structure: Do all the sculptural aspects work together as a whole?
Analyze how the artwork is arranged; consider the most significant art
principles that were used in the artwork.
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Focal Point: Occurs any time an element stands out in order to
draw the viewer’s eye there first. What is the focal point and what
element(s) created it?
Balance: What type Symmetrical (even) or Asymmetrical
(uneven) balance? What element(s) created it?
Proportion: Has to do with the size of one element to another in a
surface. Satisfactory size relationships among parts of 3-D pieces
convey a sense of order. How do the proportions play a role?
Unity & Variety: A measure of how the Elements of Art seem to fit
and belong together. How did you achieve unity/variety? Using
which elements? Is there variation in your design?
Rhythm/Repetition/Pattern: Created when one or more Elements
of Art are repeated in an artwork. Helps create unity in a sculpture.
Is there significant repetition or pattern?
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Movement: Created by using Elements of Art to give the feeling of
motion and to guide the viewer’s eyes throughout the artwork.
Which shapes, lines and forms in your work create a visual
movement around the piece? Is there a rhythm to your piece, if so
what specifically show this? Do all the elements create a
harmonious work?
Consider the significant art elements that are present in this artwork and
describe them
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Line: One-dimensional, and is used in sculpture to lead the
viewer’s eye in, around, and through a form. Can be actual of
implied. Are there significant lines you created? What types of
lines where used? What direction do they go in?
Form/Shape: A 3-D object has height, width, and depth. Every
sculpture is a form, but every form isn't a sculpture. What are the
significant forms/shapes created in the work? Utilitarian can be
described as open form, closed form, cylindrical. Sculptural form
may be described by the basic shapes: curved, angular,
representational, non-objective, etc.
Color: Chose to enhance a 3D form, not to distract from it. Can be
applied (such as painted on) or inherent (such as the natural color
of stone). Can be used to enhance the theme or meaning within a
work of art. What are the significant colors used? Did you use a
color scheme? Does the color enhance or distract from the form?
Space:
o Positive Space (Mass): The space which makes up the
object.
o Negative Space (Void): The space inside and around the
object.
o Closed Form: A relatively solid form with little negative
space.
o How did you use the positive and negative space?
Texture: A repetitive mark on the surface of a sculpture, meant to
create interest through contrast. Deeply textured areas appear
darker and smoother, non-textured areas appear lighter. Did you
create any textures? What are they and how?
Value: A highlight or shadow on the surface of a sculpture, meant
to create interest through contrast. Deeply carved areas have dark
shadowed values, areas that stick out have highlighted values.
Texture creates it. The light or dark areas of a piece of artwork
caused by its shape. Higher areas create highlights, recesses cause
shadows.
Interpretation: What is the purpose or meaning?
Is it meant to be a functional or sculptural piece? What was your concept? Is
there any symbolism or hidden meanings within the piece? What was your
overall intention? What were you trying to convey?
 What did you create? How was this form created?
 Why did you choose to make that form?
 What were you trying to convey or showcase?
 What/Who were you inspired by? (Artwork, artist, nature, childhood
memory, etc…)
 Did you tie the title of the artwork give hints about its meaning or
purpose?
 Are there any symbols created? (i.e. relief story, narrative, hand
drawn images) What are they? What do they mean? Are there
symbols/feeling shown with colors, lines or texture? How?
Evaluation: Is the work successful?
To like or not to like:
 Explain if you like the work or not and why. What makes you
like/dislike the artwork? Give details.
 How do you feel when you look at the work? What does the piece
remind you of?
For your own artwork:
 This project had certain requirements that needed to be met. Did you
carefully sketch and plan the work before creating the final piece?
How did you meet them? How did you fail to meet them? How did
you exceed the basic requirements?
 How would you improve this piece if it were assigned to you again
with the same requirements?
 The quality of work you do reflects the time spent on it. How does
this piece reflect the use of your time? If you were given one more
day on this project, what could you do to improve it? Do you feel
you tried the best you could possibly do, or did you rush through the
work?
 The construction of the piece refers to how skillfully it is made. How
does your piece demonstrate skill, or a lack of skill? What do you
need to do to improve your skill level?
 What were the strong and weak aspects of the work and why? What
areas can you improve?
 Did your final outcome express and showcase the meaning of your
work? *(May not apply to all artworks)
 Creating ceramic pieces often requires a careful understanding of
how to make something that works well while it remains a beautiful
design. How do you feel this piece balances these two things?
EXAMPLE CRITIQUE:
DESCRIBE
Artist: Umberto Boccioni
Title: Unique Forms of Continuity in Space
Medium: Bronze
Size: 43 7/8 x 34 7/8 x 15 3/4"
Date: 1913 (cast 1931)
Movement: Futurism
Subject: Figure
Analyze
The composition of this abstract work creates an elegant connection
between the repetition of sharp lines and edges colliding with the softer
curves that form a relationship between the variety of geometric and
organic shapes. The lighting of the figure captures the curves and ridges
creating a dramatic shadowing effect, giving the work more depth and
drama. The artist took into consideration the interaction between positive
and negative space by showing the volume and mass of the muscular tone
and winged body in opposition to the air and space that surrounds the form.
However, the asymmetrical positioning of the body and formation of the
block shapes at the bottom of the feet generates the impression as if frozen
in time or anchored to the ground. The flowing motion of the piece
compared with solid metallic bronze colored and smooth surface, creates
somewhat of a contradiction.
Interpret
This unique figurative piece and its title suggests a figure running or
striding, made more apparent by the bent leg. The beauty and complexity
of the piece serves as a reminder of the transformation and perception art
has undergone throughout the years. It allows the viewer an introspection
to see the revolution from realism to the abstractions of form. This piece
signifies the advancements in the technological age and ultimately
represents the state of mind during that time period and its focus on political
and artistic reform.
Evaluation
This is a successful sculptural piece that was meticulously crafted. It is a
well-made bronze cast that serves as a reminder of the transformation of art
through the years. The voluminous piece feels heavy, but because of the
wind swept motion that the angle and shapes create, sets the feeling of
running and lightness. Because of the material, subject matter, and overall
feel of the piece, captures the futurist movement.
Critique Rubric
Description:
Analysis:
Interpretation:
Evaluation:
Makes a complete and detailed description of
the subject matter seen in a work.
Accurately describes many dominant
elements or principles used by the artist and
the relationship between them.
Relates how they are used by the artist to
reinforce the theme, meaning, mood, or
feeling of the artwork.
Forms a somewhat reasonable hypothesis
about symbolic or metaphorical meaning and
is able to support this with evidence from the
work.
Uses multiple criteria to judge the artwork,
such as composition, expression, creativity,
design, communication of ideas.
Total
___/25
___/50
___/25
___/25
___/100
Criteria
Creativity
Concept
Craftsmanship
Composition:
Elements &
Principles of
Design
Project Grading Rubric
_____Student used creative problem solving to create
an original design/work reveals a consistent and
imaginative approach.
_____Work appears unique in its concept with no
apparent reference to previous work or known
cultural icons. All parts are original and you used
no pre-existing symbols or images. (Did not
copy idea). There are NO cliché elements.
_____The artwork demonstrates effective use of
creating a concept with supporting and complete
details, thoughts and sentences in your written
reflection.
_____How well the project followed the parameters and
met the goals of the assignment, visually
illustrating the new skills and concepts
_____Your surface design was also planned out, with
thoughtful color choice and texture to embody
your concept
_____Student demonstrates a mastery of materials and
techniques
_____Neatness, cleanliness, and clarity of medium and
format (no tears/rips/mistakes left unfixed)
_____Shapes and other materials are all securely
attached and the structure is sturdy
_____Student pays attention to high quality of finished
work
_____Used tools properly and safely
_____All elements of sculpture had a purpose
_____Work is well balanced, gives a feeling of feeling
of visual equality in form and works as a whole
_____Used positive and negative space effectively
_____ Surfaces were treated to create unity and enhance
the work, texture (smooth/rough), color, etc.
_____Sculpture demonstrated a strong understanding of
form
_____Sculpture works as a whole, a professional level
of unity achieved.
_____Visual movement is continuous and travels
around the entire form.
_____Demonstrates an acute awareness of proportion,
scale, perspective, form and creates
modifications with intention
_____Student considered how it interacts with the
ground, and how it looks from all sides.
TOTAL:
Points
___/25
___/25
___/25
___/25
___/100