Lesson 3 Sculpture

What I Need to Know

Hi There! Welcome to the wonderful world of sculpture that you

will surely enjoy. I am sure that you had a great time studying your
previous lesson. Now, you will understands the different elements and
principles of organization in the arts and how they are applied to the
various forms of art to communicate ideas, create meaning and elicit
responses. In this topic, you will learn about the different forms of
sculptural design as well as their principles.
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
1. Recognizes the different forms of sculptural design.
2. Identify the elements and principles of sculpture.
3. Familiarize with the types of materials use in sculpture.

What I Know

Directions: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of your answer.
Write your answer on a separate sheet.

1. Which of the following race invented the business card?

a. Indian b. Chinese c. Japanese d. Americans

2. Which of the following materials that truly sustainable products in the

world?
a. Wood b. Paper c. Cement d. Plastics

3. Newspaper is a source of information provided to the

____________________.
a. Leaders b. Societies c. Companies d. Government

4. Research on violence in the media concludes that exposure to violence

leads to ________________.
a. Deference b. Discipleship c. Disinclination d. Desensitization

5. In a virtual community, people go to the Internet for ______________.

a. Games b. Information c. Togetherness d. Entertainment

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 What’s In

In your previous lesson, you have learned the different elements

of arts which introduce to you ahead of this topic. So that, you can have
a background on how to deal with this kind of topic and how you can
create a better output based on those elements.
You have identified the different visual elements of line, shape,
tone, color, pattern, texture and form which considered as the building
blocks of composition in art.

FORMS
ELEME
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PLES

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 What’s New

Let’s try this activity and see how good your eyesight is. I know you
can do this! Be calm, be YOU!

Activity 1. Fix me, I’m Broken!

Directions: Below are five words. Each term is jumbled. Unscramble
the letters base on the definition given and write the correct vocabulary word
in the corresponding space.

1. Type of sculpture art from any medium that contains movement

perceivable by the viewer or depends on motion for its effect.

NICEKIT 1. _________________

2. A type of sculpture in which the figures are presented in complete three-

dimensional form and are not attached to a flat background.

NIHETUNDOR 2. _________________

3. Type of sculpture that uses the natural landscape to create site-specific

structures, art forms, and sculptures.

SHARKWROTE 3. __________________

4. An artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific

and designed to transform the perception of a space.

ATALLISNOTI 4. _________________

5. A technique where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid

background of the same material.

FIELER 5. __________________

You’re getting better all the time. How did you find the activity?
I am sure you almost nailed it!

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 This time, let’s try this nerve breaking conditioning to test your
ability in forming a word out of this activity. Have a good time!

Activity 2. Feel free to Pair with me!

Directions: Directions: Match column A with the correct answers on
column B. Write only the letter of answer on the blank provided before the
number.

Column A Column B

____ 1. Refers to the sculpture's bulk, the solid bit

contained within its surfaces. A. Proportion

____ 2. This refers, for example, to the need to B. Articulation

create a sculpture in tune with the scale
of its surroundings.

____ 3. Involves two principal matters. First, the C. Scale

sculptural body must be physically stable
easy enough to achieve in a crawling or
reclining figure, less easy in a standing
statue, especially if leaning forwards or D. Mass
backwards.

____ 4. This describes how sculptural figures (and

other forms) are jointed:, either how the
differing parts of a body merge in a single E. Surfaces
form, or how separate sections come
together. 

____ 5. These can produce quite different visual F. Balance

effects according to whether they are (eg)
convex or concave, flat or modelled,
coloured or uncoloure.

You are doing great as of this moment. Just continue what you are doing!

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 What Is It

Sculpture

An artistic form in which hard or plastic materials are

worked into three-dimensional art objects. The designs may be
embodied in freestanding objects, in reliefs on surfaces, or
in environments ranging from tableaux to contexts that envelop
the spectator. An enormous variety of media may be used,
including clay, wax, stone, metal, fabric, glass, wood, plaster,
rubber, and random “found” objects. Materials may be carved,
modelled, moulded, cast, wrought, welded, sewn, assembled, or
otherwise shaped and combined

Sculpture is not a fixed term that applies to a permanently

circumscribed category of objects or sets of activities. It is, rather,
the name of an art that grows and changes and is continually
extending the range of its activities and evolving new kinds of
objects. The scope of the term was much wider in the second half
of the 20th century than it had been only two or three decades
before, and in the fluid state of the visual arts at the turn of the
21st century nobody can predict what its future extensions are
likely to be.

Certain features which in previous centuries were

considered essential to the art of sculpture are not present in a
great deal of modern sculpture and can no longer form part of its
definition. One of the most important of these is representation.
Before the 20th century, sculpture was considered a
representational art, one that imitated forms in life, most often
human figures but also inanimate objects, such as game, utensils,
and books. Since the turn of the 20th century, however, sculpture
has also included nonrepresentational forms. It has long been
accepted that the forms of such functional three-dimensional
objects as furniture, pots, and buildings may be expressive and
beautiful without being in any way representational; but it was
only in the 20th century that non-functional, nonrepresentational,
three-dimensional works of art began to be produced.

WRITTEN BY:
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 FORMS OF SCULPTURE
1. RELIEF SCULPTURE
Technique where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid
background of the same material. The term relief is from the Latin verb
relevo, to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that
the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief)

2. IN THE ROUND (FREE STANDING)

A type of sculpture in which the figures are presented in complete
three-dimensional form and are not attached to a flat background (unlike
relief). The principal types of sculpture in the round are statues, busts,
and sculptural groups.
(https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Sculpture+in+the+Round)

3. INSTALLATION SCULPTURE

An artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-

specific and designed to transform the perception or outlook of a given
space. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Installation_art)

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4. KINETIC SCULPTURE

Art from any medium that contains movement perceivable by the

viewer or depends on motion for its effect. Canvas paintings that extend the
viewer's perspective of the artwork and incorporate multidimensional
movement are the earliest examples of kinetic art.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_art)

5. LAND ART or EARTHWORKS SCULPTURE

It is largely an American movement that uses the natural landscape to

create site-specific structures, art forms, and sculptures. Earth art, also
referred to as Land art or Earthworks, is largely an American movement that
uses the natural landscape to create site-specific structures, art forms, and
sculptures. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/earth-art/

Now, you have recognized the different forms of sculpture. You

have also identified the differences in terms of illustration. Are
sculptures getting clearer to you now? You’re doing a great job! You are
on the right track now.

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 Let’s continue what you have started. I want you to read closely
and learn more things about sculpture. Get your note book and take
down some important points.

ELEMENTS OF SCULPTURAL DESIGN

1. Mass
- refers to the sculpture's bulk, the solid bit contained within its surfaces.

2. Space
-is the air around the solid sculpture, and reacts with the latter in several
ways:
First, it defines the edges of the sculpture; second, it can be enclosed by
part of the sculpture, forming hollows or areas of emptiness, third, it can
link separate parts of the sculpture which thus relate to one another across
space.

3. Surfaces
-  these can produce quite different visual effects according to whether
they are (eg.) convex or concave, flat or modelled, colored or uncolored.

PRINCIPLES OF SCULPTURAL DESIGN

These regulate the approach of sculptors to such matters as

orientation, proportion, scale, articulation and balance.

1. Orientation
- to create a sense of harmony (or disharmony) in the sculpture itself, or
between parts of it, or between the sculpture and the viewer, or between the
sculpture and its surroundings, the sculptor usually works to a particular
spatial plan or scheme of reference.

2. Proportion
- how sculptors handle proportionality varies considerably. Some (eg.
Egyptian sculptors) observed hierarchic non-naturalistic canons of
proportion (eg. Gods the largest, Pharaohs next largest, citizens smallest
etc). Other sculptors have followed more naturalistic but equally
econometric rules of proportion.

3. Scale
- this refers, for example, to the need to create a sculpture in tune with
the scale of its surroundings.

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4. Articulation
- this describes how sculptural figures (and other forms) are jointed:,
either how the differing parts of a body merge in a single form, or how
separate sections come together. 
5. Balance
- in freestanding figurative sculpture, balance involves two principal
matters. First, the sculptural body must be physically stable - easy enough
to achieve in a crawling or reclining figure, less easy in a standing statue,
especially if leaning forwards or backwards.

The Best Way to Understand Sculpture

Are you baffled by all these weird concepts about the elements and
principles of sculptural design theory? Don't worry, many art critics are,
too.

The best way to understand sculpture is to look at as much of it as

you can, ideally in the flesh. If possible, visit your nearest public art
museum and take a look at some copies of Greek or Renaissance sculpture.

This should give you a good grasp of traditional-style works. In

addition, if feasible, visit any exhibition which includes works by abstract
sculptors like:

Umberto Boccioni (1882-1916),

Jean Arp (1886-1966),
Naum Gabo (1890-1977),
Alexander Calder (1898-1976),
Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966),
Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975),
Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010),
Sol LeWitt (1928-2007), or
Richard Serra (b.1939).

Works of abstract sculpture by any of these modern artists should

give you plenty to think about.

Did you find the discussion helpful? I am sure you did very well.
And nothing can stop you now! Learning sculpture is indeed challenging
yet fun. So, enjoy and have fun!

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 MATERIALS USED IN SCULPTURE

1. Stone - Probably the earliest form of monumental sculpture as well as

the best medium for monumental works, was common to many eras of the
Paleolithic Stone Age. Prototype works of prehistoric stone sculpture include
the basaltic figurine known as The Venus of Berekhat Ram (c.230,000 BCE
or earlier) and quartzite figurine known as The Venus of Tan-Tan (c.200,000
BCE or earlier). http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/sculpture.htm#materials

2. Bronze - is a popular sculpting material used by famous sculptors such

as Donatello and Carlo Marochetti. Sculpting in bronze is a complicated
process which was developed independently in China, South America and
Egypt. Bronze casting requires the modelling of a form in clay, plaster or
wax, which is later removed after the molten bronze has been poured.

3. Ceramic Pottery clay - better known as ceramic in the art world, is one
of the most popular sculpting materials. Pottery makers love to work with
ceramic clay because it is incredibly flexible, making it perfect for beginners
and advanced artists. Ceramic clay can be self-hardening, meaning it
doesn't require heat, or it can be more traditional clay that requires a firing
kiln to harden the design. Sculpting in clay dates from the Paleolithic era of
the Stone Age. Known (when fired) as terracotta sculpture, it is the most

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plastic of all sculpting methods, versatile, light, inexpensive and durable.
Although clay mainly used for preliminary models, later cast in bronze or
carved in stone, it has also been used to produce full-scale sculpture. The
earliest known clay sculpture is the Venus of Dolni Vestonice (c.26,000 -
24,000 BCE).

4. Marble - lends a very realistic depiction of the human body and makes it
perfect for sculptures of people. To carve a marble sculpture, an artist
carves onto the original piece of marble or creates a mold to work from. A
sculptor uses a chisel and other tools to carve out the design.

5. Jade - The best-known form of hardstone sculpture, jade carving has

been a speciality of Chinese master craftsmen ever since Neolithic times.
Nephrite and Jadeite are the two most common types of jade stone, although
bowenite (a form of serpentine).

6. Wood - the oldest and most continuous type of sculpture. Especially

convenient for small works, wood carving was widely practised during the
Prehistoric age, and later during the era of Early Christian sculpture - see,
for instance, the gilded oak carving known as the Gero Cross (965-70,
Cologne Cathedral) 

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7. Ice - this form of sculpture is carved out of ice. Of course frozen water is
hardly as long lasting as stone, as precise as wood, or as monumental
as bronze, but it can be sculpted into a variety of relief sculpture or even
freestanding statues. In countries in the Northern Hemisphere, that
experience long winters with sub-zero temperatures, ice sculpture has
become a new form of public art, just like sand sculpture has become a
fashionable type of visual art in hotter climates.

8. Sand -is the practice of modelling sand into an artistic form, such as a
sand brushing, sand sculpture, sand painting, or sand bottles. A sandcastle
is a type of sand sculpture resembling a miniature building, often a castle.

9. Plastic
- involves physical manipulation of a plastic medium by molding or
modeling such as sculpture or ceramics. Less often the term may be used
broadly for all the visual arts (such as painting, sculpture, film and
photography), as opposed to literature and music. [1] Materials for use in the
plastic arts, in the narrower definition, include those that can be carved or
shaped, such as stone or wood, concrete, glass, or metal.

10. Concrete - can be created with several different materials, with the
presence of cement. There are three ways to create a sculpture from
concrete. By (a) casting the concrete, (b) carving the concrete, or (c) using
wire mesh. All three of these methods of sculpting concrete can result in
beautiful concrete sculptures.

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 I hope that you have gained something important this time for you
to prepare yourself in the next activity. This will bring you another
excitement!

What’s More

Let’s see how far you have learned in this endeavour of yours. I
know that you have a bright idea!

Activity 3. Mark my Word!

Directions: Read each statement below carefully. Place a T on the line
if a statement is TRUE an F if the statement is FALSE.

____________ 1. Bronze sculpture is known as ceramic in the art world, is

one of the most popular sculpting materials.

____________ 2. Concrete sculpture can be created with several different

materials, with the presence of cement.

____________ 3. A sandcastle is a type of sand sculpture resembling a

miniature building, often a castle.

____________ 4. In countries in the Northern Hemisphere, that experience

long winters with high temperatures, ice sculpture has become a new form
of public art.

____________ 5. To carve a marble sculpture, an artist carves onto the

molded piece of marble or creates a mold to work from.

P a g e 13
 What I Have Learned

Activity 4. I would like to Prove it - Prove it!

Directions: Read the following questions comprehensively. Choose the
correct answer from the given choices and write the letter on the space provided
before the number.

______ 1. What technique would most likely be used to create a wood sculpture?
A. Carving B. Casting C. Modeling D. Assembling

______ 2. Which of the following sculpture can be seen on all sides an stands
without additional support?
A. relief B. mobile C. embossed D. free-standing

______ 3. Sculpture is an artwork that has _____________ dimension.

A. one B. two C. four D. three

______ 4. If a sculpture falls over it is lacking which principle of design?

A. Unity B. Balance C. Emphasis D. Movement

______ 5. A person who creates sculptures out of material such

as wood, clay, metal, or stone.
A. painter B. musician C. sculptor D. play write

______ 6. What is the process of removing part of a sculpture from the original
material?
A.casting B. additive C. subtractive D. papier mache

______ 7. In sculpture, low relief is also known as:

A. additive B.bas relief C. embossing D.free-standing

______ 8. Which of the following is another name for in the round sculpture?
A. relief B. mobile C. embossed D. free-standing

______ 9. Which of the following is a popular sculpting material used by famous

sculptors such as Donatello and Carlo Marochetti?
A. Ice B. Sand C. Wood D. Bronze

______ 10. How is sculpture in the round defined?

A. A sculpture in the round is two-dimensional.
B. A sculpture in the round comes out of a background.
C. A sculpture in the round is designed to be seen from all sides.
D. A sculpture in the round is just one piece of a multi-subject sculpture

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 I knew you had it in you. You’re making a good progress! Tap your
shoulder again for reaching this far! You are already loaded with so
many learnings about sculpture. You must be having so much fun! But
this does not stop here. Get ready for more!

What I Can Do

Activity 5. Show Them What I’ve Got!

Directions: There are different materials used in making sculpture. This
time you will generate your own sculpture. You can use stone, bronze, ceramic,
marble, jade, wood, ice, sand, plastic or concrete. While doing such sculpture,
document the step by step process that you have perform. Afterwards, print it out
and place on the space below. Minimum of 8 -10 photos.

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 Assessment
Directions: Based on the discussion, presentation and activities
about sculpture, explain the following insights below according to your own
idea.

1. What improvements will you make to have an attractive sculpture?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What realization did you learn when generating/designing your own

sculpture?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. As a student, how can you convey other students that sculpture has a
positive impact in our life other digital lay-out?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

You go the extra mile! You made it happen! Tap your shoulder for
reaching again this far! You are almost done in this module. Unbelievable
work!

Additional Activities

You are now in the final part of this lesson. Complete this last activity.

Activity 6. This is It!

Directions: During quarantine period, you have seen different trend

to remove the boredom of netizens in social media as you swipe your
newsfeed. Some are doing Tiktok, others are selling foods and services, and
there is also a trade of products and goods. But one thing got your
attention, lot of people are creating a decorative pots which is a product of
sculpture. Not only in social media but also in your neighbourhood.

This time you have to create your own decorative pots. It may vary in
sizes such as small, medium and large. You can use cement and other
designing tools.

Things to be considered in creating a decorative pots sculpture:

 Mass
 Space
 Surfaces
 Color Orientation
 Proportionality
 Scale
 Articulation
 Balance

Congratulations! The time you put in really shows what you have
learned in this topic. You have demonstrated your understanding on the
different forms of sculptural design as well as the elements and
principles of sculpture.
Keep up the good work! Good luck on your next journey!
P a g e 17
 References

Casting Cement: Sculpture & Techniques | Study.comstudy.com

3 Ways to Sculpt With Concrete - wikiHowwww.wikihow.com

concrete sculpture - Google Searchwww.google.com

Plastic arts - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

Sculpture: Definition, Types: Statues, Reliefswww.visual-arts-cork.com

Vocabulary for Sculpture Materials, Styles & Techniques - Video &

Lesson Transcript | Study.com

Sculpture - Materials | Britannicawww.britannica.com

Relief - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

Sculpture in the Round | Article about Sculpture in the Round by The

Free Dictionaryencyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.co

Installation art - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

P a g e 18
 Answer Keys

What I know

1. 6. 11.

2. 7. 12.

3. 8. 13.

4. 9. 14.

5. 10. 15.

What’s New

Activity 1. Activity 2.

1. KINETIC 1. D. Mass
2. IN THE ROUND 2. C. Scale
3. EARTHWORK 3. F. Balance
4. INSTALLATION 4. B. Articulation
5. RELIEF 5. E. Surfaces

What’s New
Activity 3.

1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. False

What I Have Learned

Activity 4.

1. A. 6. C.

2. C. 7. B.

3. D. 8. B.

4. D. 9. D.

5. D. 10. C.
P a g e 19
What I Can Do

Activity 5.
Rubrics:
Creativity – 30%
Craftsmanship – 15%
Originality – 20%
Color Harmony – 25%
Visual Impact – 10%
TOTAL 100%

Assessment:
Rubrics:
4 points – explain completely with correct grammar.
3 points – explain completely with one wrong grammar.
2 points – explain with few details missing, more than one wrong grammar.
1 point – explain with many details missing, more than two wrong grammar.
1 – no answer; irrelevant answer

Additional Activities

Activity 6.
Rubrics:
Creativity – 30%
Craftsmanship – 15%
Originality – 20%
Color Harmony – 25%
Visual Impact – 10%
TOTAL 100%

Writer

DIOSDADO N. MACALIB-OG, JR., LPT

P a g e 20
Teacher I/Visual Arts/ Arts & Design
Cotabato Division
Pigcawayan National High School

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