Floral Foam Sculpture Unit

Objectives:

  • I can create a subtractive sculpture out of floral foam.

  • I can understand abstract sculpture.

  • I can create a finish for floral foam.

Assignment:

1. Create a floral foam sculpture in the spirit of Henry Moore.

2. Sculpture should an abstract and based on the human form.

3. Form should have holes or opening, "enclosed space", or positive and negative space.

4. Sculpture should work from all angles.

5. Consider base. Is your sculpture free standing (standing on it's own), or is it attached to some kind of base.

6. Consider surface finish of sculpture. Consider color and does it have a texture added?

Inspiration

Early Forms of the Human Body Throughout the World

The Earliest know figurative sculptures are small carved figurines of the female body. Over 200 Discovered throughout Europe and Asia.

Greece 3200 B.C. -2800 B.C.

Nok Terracotta Head 900 B.C.- 200 A.D.Nigeria, Africa

Standing Cedar Statuette of a Man. Egypt 1985 B.C. - 1878 B.C.

Squatting Female Figurine

A.D. 100/600 Costa Rica

Discus Thrower

450 B.C.E. Rome

Chac Mool

800-1250 A.D. Mexico

Bodhisattva Maitreya 601-800 A.D. Thailand

What is Abstraction?

Abstract art is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead use shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect.

Comparison: Abstraction vs. Realism

Henry Moore

  • 1898-1986

  • English Artist

  • Know for his semi-abstract human figure sculptures

  • Influenced by sculptures from ancient Egypt, Africa, and Mexico

  • Reacted against the European sculptural tradition.

More Abstract Sculpture Examples

What is Floral Foam?

Floral foam is a spongy material that is easy to carve. It is great to make subtractive sculptures.

What is Subtractive Sculpture?

Subtractive sculpture is a sculptural technique which material is carved or cut away. Carving is a way of making sculpture by cutting away unwanted parts.

vs.


Additive Sculpture- a sculptural technique in which the forms are constructed by combining or building up material.

In Class Practice & Planning

Remember the requirements!

1. Create a floral foam sculpture in the spirit of Henry Moore.

2. Sculpture should be abstract and based on the human form.

3. Form should have holes or openings, "enclosed space", or positive and negative space.

4. Sculpture should work from all angles.

5. Consider the base. Is your sculpture free standing (standing on it's own), or is it attached to some kind of base.

6. Consider surface finish of sculpture. Consider color and does it have a texture added?

Practice Piece #1: Free form carving

Directions :

  1. Cut off about a 1/3 piece of your floral foam block.

  2. Carve a free foam sculpture (meaning you don't have to have a plan for what you are carving).

  3. The goal of this assignment is to get a feel for the material and tools.

  4. This sculpture should be:

-Carved on all sides.

-Show different levels in the foam.

-Include one hole.

Planning:

Step 1: Reference Photos

Find reference photos. This can be a good way to gain inspiration.

The photos can be of the entire human form or zoomed in on one portion of the human body.

Your ideas can vary from the external form or internal organs.

Look at the forms, positive spaces, and negative spaces to gain inspiration for your sculpture.

Step 2: Sketch

Create 2 design sketches with two views of each design for a total of 4 design sketches.

Shade in areas of the design to represent deeper areas of the design.

Practice Piece #2: Mini version of final sculpture design

Directions:

  1. Cut off another piece of one block.

  2. The goal of this practice piece is to try to create a small version of your favorite sketch.

  3. Think of this as a 3-D sketch and practice!

  4. Divide your sketch into parts using dotted lines. Put those same lines onto your foam piece and sketch out your design.

  5. Begin by cutting pieces around the form away.

Final Sculpture

1. Create a floral foam sculpture in the spirit of Henry Moore.

2. Sculpture should an abstract and based on the human form.

3. Form should have holes or opening, "enclosed space", or positive and negative space.

4. Sculpture should work from all angles.

5. Consider base. Is your sculpture free standing (standing on it's own), or is it attached to some kind of base.

6. Consider surface finish of sculpture. Consider color and does it have a texture added?

Step 1: Layout sketch on block

Step 2: Carve negative space

Step 3: Smooth with fingers or files

Step 4: Seal and Paint with acrylic

Directions:
Using 2/3 glue, 1/3 water, coat the entire sculpture in watered down glue.

Wash you paintbrush well.

Decide on a color scheme for your sculpture.

Sketch your color scheme out on your sketchbook design.

Step 5: Photographing your Art Work

Use this video for tips on how to set up your 3-D work to be photographed.


Edit your photos.


Submit photos from at least two angles of your sculpture.