INTRODUCTION SCULPTURE

So far we have looked at the elements of line, shape and form, and principles such as contrast and balance on a two dimensional surface. These elements and principles have been used to suggest or create the illusion a three dimensional space with drawing media. Sculpture however, is a medium that is actually three dimensional in some way.

ELEMENTS OF SCULPTURE Sculpture makes use of line, shape, colour and texture and actual three dimensional form. There are two basic categories of sculpture: bas relief and sculpture in the round. Sculpture refers to art that is three dimensional in some way.

BAS RELIEF SCULPTURE The term "bas relief" is sculpture with low relief. This type of sculpture is made to rest against a wall. It has a flat back and some areas of the work stand out from the flat backing while other details may be carved into the surface. Mediums for this type of sculpture can include clay, wood, metal or stone as in the next exampe.

BAS RELIEF

BAS RELIEF bas relief sculpture, (pronounced bah ree leef), is three dimensional art which usually sits against a wall and has parts which project outwards from the flat panel.

BAS RELIEF There are different degrees of depth in bas relief described as either “high bas-relief” or “low relief” You all carry some low bas-relief sculptures with you everyday in the form of our minted coins.

SCULPTURE IN THE ROUND Sculpture in the round refers to work that is completely three dimensional and meant to be viewed from all angles. The mediums for this type of sculpture can include clay, stone, wood, metal or fiberglass and found objects as in the next examples.

SCULPTURE IN THE ROUND Unlike bas relief works sculpture in the round is meant to be seen from all angles. Materials for sculpture in the round include wood, metal, stone and ceramic.

SCULPTURE IN THE ROUND

SCULPTURE IN THE ROUND Sculpture in the round is meant to be seen from all angles and usually sits on a base of some kind. When using clay sculptors can use either additive or subtractive techniques to create a sculpture in the round.

APPROACHES TO SCULPTURE There are two basic ways in which an artist can create three dimensional art, with either additive or subtractive techniques.

ADDITIVE & SUBTRACTIVE ADDITIVE TECHNIQUES SUBTRACTIVE TECHNIQUES Refer to building up features by adding more clay to the surface. Additive techniques can include building and shaping clay or wax or assemblage, which is the technique of combining and attaching found objects. Refer to carving or scraping clay away from the surface to shape the sculpture. Subtractive techniques mostly consist of different approaches to carving.

CERAMICS Ceramic is a term which means pottery and refers to objects like plates or bowls that are made from clay. Your first project with clay will be to create a piece of ceramic "stoneware".

COMPOSITION OF CLAY Clay is composed of tiny particles of “weathered” rock. These particles are flat and extremely small. The plate-like shape of the clay particles allows them to cling closely together slipping around in a thin film of water.

PROPERTIES OF CLAY Clay's main characteristic is “plasticity” or the ability to be shaped and molded with pressure. Natural clays also shrink when the water that coats the particles evaporates so prepared clays use fillers such as “grog”, (finely ground pre-fired clay) to prevent shrinkage and cracking.

GREENWARE VS. BISQUE WARE Once clay has completely dried so that all the water surrounding the particles has evaporated it is known as “greenware”. Firing is the process of heating the greenware in a “kiln”. A kiln is a special oven used to heat clay to point where the particles are fused together. “Bisqueware” is clay that has been fired once without a “glaze”.

STONEWARE OR EARTHENWARE “Stoneware” or “earthenware” is ceramic work that has been fired again after it is coated with a “glaze”. Glazes are coloured mixtures that are painted on the bisqueware and turn to a glassy surface once it is re-fired.