Plaster Sculpture Unit

Assignment

Your assignments is to sculpt a figure in motion out of plaster.

Learning Objectives:

Students will understand the proportions of the human figure
Students will draw a gesture of a human figure.
Students will create an armature
Students will sculpt with plaster

In Class Practice

Gesture Figure Drawing

The term "gesture drawing" is most often used to describe a quick, loose drawing of the human figure. However, gesture drawing can also refer to any quick drawing of any subject. The purpose of a gesture drawing is not to complete a "finished" or refined drawing. Instead, it is more of a way to study the subject through loose marks, shapes, or values.

What is Gesture Drawing?

Proportions of the Human Body

Examples of line of action:

Examples of Gesture Drawing:

Gesture Drawing Assignment- 10 points

Learning Objectives:

Students will practice finding the line of action and the axis of the human figure
Students will understand how to break down a gesture drawing
Students will practice drawing quickly from observation

Directions:

Draw the line of action- the line that runs from the top of the figure through the main curve of the body.

Find the angles of the axis lines along the shoulders and hips.

Draw the broken down shapes of the figure.

Assignment:

5- 1 minute poses

4- 2 minute poses

3- 3 minute poses

Figure Drawing: Art FUndamentals

Summative Assessment

Your assignment is to create a plaster sculpture of a human in an action pose. You need to create a sculpture that is proportional to the human body.

Examples:

Planning & Design - 10 points

Learning objectives:

Students will select an action pose they want to create
Students will develop a surface design for their sculpture

Directions:

Using your phone camera, old photos, or Google Images, find an action pose to use as reference.
Find a reference photo for a pattern you want to paint on your sculpture.
Sketch out your pose in your sketchbook using most of a page. Remember line of action and how to draw the figure gesturally. Color in the pose with your pattern reference.

Planning assignment document:

Figure Sculpture Planning and Design Assignment

Step 1: Using your phone camera, old photos, or Google Images, find an action pose to use as reference.

Don’t choose a figure that is at ease/not in action
Don’t choose a figure that doesn’t have one foot on the ground- need to connect to a base, have a way to stand

Good examples of action poses:

Bad examples of action poses:

Figure at ease and not in motion

Nothing touching the ground

Step 2: Find a reference photo for a pattern you want to paint on your sculpture.

What colors do you want to use?
Can you find a pattern that enhances your pose?

Step 3: Sketch out your pose in your sketchbook using most of a page. Remember line of action and how to draw the figure gesturally. Color in the pose with your pattern reference.

Use a full page in your sketchbook
Color with marker or colored pencils.

Sketch out your pose in your sketchbook using most of a page. Remember line of action and how to draw the figure gesturally.

Color in the pose with your pattern reference.

Creating your armature

Learning objectives:

Students will understand the proportions of the human figure
Students will create a wire armature
Students will add bulk to the body of their armature

Directions:

Make a template with the proportions of the human body
Create a wire armature following the template. Form it into your pose
Use tinfoil and tape to build up the forms of the body

Step 1: Make a template with the proportions of the human body

T plate

Video Directions:

Figure Template Video.mp4

Step 2: Create a wire armature following the template. Form it into your pose

Video Directions:

Creating The Wire Armature.mp4

Step 3: Use tinfoil and tape to build up the forms of the body

Plastering the Armature

Directions:

Cut plaster into small manageable strips- make a pile
Dunk plaster strip into water one at a time and cover figure armature
Continue to cover the armature in plaster strips allowing each one to overlap the last a bit
Smooth and blend with your finger

Painting the Sculpture

Requirements:

You need to consider a color design for your sculpture. Consider using a pattern!
You need to demonstrate color mixing.
You need to sketch your design out in your sketchbook before starting to paint.
All visible areas of the sculpture should be painted.

Inspiration: KEITH HARING

More pattern examples:

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