Introduction to Art/Sculpture I

Sculpture I

Sculpture I usually serves as the introductory course that allows the student to become familiar with three-dimensional forms. A general knowledge of basic tools and concepts is introduced, setting the foundation for more advanced work.

Tools

There are a variety of sculpting tools that sculptors use to help define and form their figures.

• Loop Tool/Rake Tool - This tool consists of a metal loop attached to a rod of wood. The metal loop is designed in such a way that the artist can easily "rake" across the surface of clay, plaster, and other materials to smooth and better define the form. This tool comes in a variety of sizes, suitable for all applications.

• Pin Tool - A small, sharp metal point attached to a rod of wood. This tool is designed for making sharp, pen-like impressions into surfaces, primarily clay. Many prefer to use this tool to "sketch" onto the surface of their subject when in the development stage.

• Hands - Often disregarded as a tool, this is actually the most important tool of them all. Never substitute your hands for another tool just because the other tool is specifically suggested for the application. Sometimes your hands can do the best work.

Please understand though that the artist is not limited by these tools alone. Many artists use whatever is available; as long as the intentions of the artist are portrayed in the sculpture, it doesn't matter what tools you use. There are an almost infinite amount of tools, with many different variations, which could be substituted for by any simple object.

Materials

Unlike drawing in which you're restricted to pencils, pastels, and other concrete mediums, Sculptures can consist of any material you can obtain, making it a very free and expansive art form. Sculptures have been erected of aluminum foil, chicken wire, packaging tape, and even plants! The beginning sculptor, however, will want to become familiar with the most readily-available and common sculpting materials.

• Clay -
• Plaster -

Other materials and their uses will be covered in the following sculpture Wikibooks.