5/10/17 3D Design

Today's Class- We briefly reviewed the events of the semester, and I explained the grades for last week's accepted project.  Brian told us he had finished attaching the last few parts that they had created in class last week.  Then it was time to inflate the giant penguin and see the results.

And we had a giant penguin, including air flowing into the flippers, the beak, the feet, and the tail.  Held air long enough to reach full size and stand tall with help holding it upright.  Doesn't fly, but then no penguin of any size does.  Perhaps with helium...

How to make this up- Everyone was present and the project was completed.

Homework- Nothing, since the semester is now over.  I'll submit grades in the next few days.

For next class- You get to stay home next Wednesday.  I emptied the glass display case of any student work from the past year, which was either returned or disposed of.  

Enjoy the summer.

5/3/17 3D Design

Today's Class- Tonight the students continued on the final project- the large scale inflatable pieces begun last week.  However we also took time to look at the projects due today- the scale installation pieces involving plaster figures and whatever else they wanted to use.  Below are two examples.

How to make this up- Working together with peak efficiency, the class almost pulled off the completion of an eight foot tall penguin before the end of the night.  Came up a little short, but we have time to finish it next week.

Homework- The Final Project- the large scale inflatable animal piece, is due May 10, 2017.  This is the final meeting of the semester, last chance to earn points in this class.

For next class 5/10/17- You have the whole period if you need it, but once you have shown your completed final project, you're done.  We will also clean up and/or dispose of anything that we did this semester.

4/26/17 3D Design

Today's Class- The morning class had left the 3D room a bit of a disaster, but the students were prepared and cleaned things enough to make use of the tables.  Today we began our final project of the semester, large scale inflatable sculptures.  This will take us through the end of the semester, not far away.

How to make this up-  Everyone was present tonight and is caught up, but in case people want to review what we accomplished... The first step was I had everyone do at least 5 pencil sketches, one each of 5 animals of their choice.  I had brought in a set of wildlife encyclopedias to use as a source, but any images can be used.

The next step was to choose one of those sketches to expand into a small 3D model, using the original source photo and constructing it with bristol board.  Above, pencil sketches of some animals.  Below, 3D model of a penguin.

Homework- The completed scale installation sculpture (plaster) is due at the beginning of class on May 3, 2017.  At that time we will critique and grade the results.

The completed inflatable sculpture will be due on May 10, 2017, which is our final class meeting of the semester.

When we left the worktables had been cleaned.  The classroom sink on the other hand, we left that as we found it.

For next class 5/3/17- We will critique the scale installation sculptures then continue our work on the Final Project.  Bring clear plastic drop cloth, clear plastic sealing tape, scissors, and your plans for the inflatable sculpture. Students have the option of working together on one inflatable, or each working on one by themselves.  They will not be inflated until the following week.  

4/19/17 3D Design

Today's Class- Tonight work continued on the scale installation inspired piece, starring your little plaster figure.  Much plaster dust and chunks were created with the available tools, with the figures definitely taking shape.  I also talked a little bit about the Final Project, which we will be beginning next week.

How to make this up- All were present tonight so everyone knows what we're doing.  

When your plaster figure is complete, you need to create a setting for it.  In an installation sculpture, everything is part of the work and contributes to the narrative, etc.  It should be a fixed defined space, and the theme should relate to your figure somehow, but as artist you will select that theme.  You may use any materials you want, color, texture, whatever.  Above we see an early stage of this particular project, and I expect we'll see some changes before it's done.

Homework- The completed installation piece is due on May 3, 2017.

For next class 4/26/17- The last three meetings of the semester will be devoted to the Final Project, which will be a large inflatable piece.  It will be constructed from clear plastic drop cloths and plastic sealing tape, and the subject will be an animal or plant.  It must be at least 8 feet in one direction, and must have some articulations (legs, head, wings, etc)  It will need to hold air long enough for us to see the full shape.  

Next week is the first phase, which involves doing sketches and making small models of the intended piece, which gives a better understanding of how it will be constructed.  Some examples of this first step from previous semesters:

The last step is converting your sketch to a full size three dimensional artwork, as in the examples shown below:

For next class, you need a sketchbook, pencil and eraser, glue, scissors or x-acto knife, and scraps of bristol board and/or foam core sufficient to build a small model of the animal or plant you decide to build.  You have the option of working in groups for the final piece, but everyone must do the sketches and construct a small model themselves.

4/12/17 3D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we worked on the next graded project, combining figure sculpture, scale adjustments, and the concept of installation art, along with two new materials for this class.  The process began several weeks ago when we cast blocks of plaster and set them aside for the future.  I opened with a brief slide show of two late 20th century artists who popularized installation art- George Segal and Edward Keinholz.  From a pile of magazines I brought in, students selected a photo of a person and created a scale model of that figure using modeling clay.  That clay figure would be used as a model for a plaster figure carved from the cast blocks.

Just as sculptors have been doing for centuries, the modeled clay piece was used to provide a visual reference, aiding in deciding what had to be removed.  Using available tools, students started cutting the blocks down to the shapes they will need to be.   A little messy, but great progress was made.

How to make this up- Everyone was present, got started, and knows what to do.

Homework- Nothing yet.  Work will continue on this project in next week's class, at which time I will decide when the final piece will be due.

For next class 4/19/17- We continue on these installation pieces.  Once the plaster figures are carved, you will need to create the environment that will be around them, and that space is considered part of the sculpture.  I will have all the same tools, but if there is something else you want to use, bring it in.  Also bring in whatever materials you need to work on the installation part of the piece- found objects, glue. etc.  

4/5/17 3D Design

Today's Class- Tonight was Day 2 of the book project.  Everyone continued on those, and the books were finished, critiqued, graded, and returned.  It was also the due date for the cast off manufactured materials project, or what I often call the plastic project, so we had a critique of those.

There was a balloon animal dog sitting on the table when I arrived, and while that might technically qualify, tonight's students easily topped that.

How to make this up- Everyone was there and completed the book graded project.

Homework- Nothing new, as everyone seems to be caught up, so enjoy the rest.  Two more major projects to go starting next week.

For next class 4/12/17- Our next project is a scaled down figure installation style project.  Each student will create a small model in clay, based on a photo of a person.  That clay piece will function as a prototype for a plaster figural piece, carved from blocks we cast earlier in the semester.  The plaster figure will form the subject of the installation piece- a sculpture in which the environment that surrounds the featured piece is just as much the sculpture as the plaster piece.

Above and below are examples of this same project from a previous semester.  The plaster is carved using tools that will be in the classroom, and you have the option of using anything you want to create the rest of the piece's environment.  

You will have two weeks in class to work on this project, plus additional time at home if needed.  Bring sketchbook and pencil to work out ideas, with additional materials probably not needed until the following week.

3/29/17 3D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we began a new graded project, working with a new medium.  You are going to be carving a book.  A book is a solid three dimensional object that has the ability to be opened and closed, pages looked at in any order and yet can be returned to its original state instantly.  Most are made pretty much from tree based products, and so they can be carved.  Students were asked to bring in an old book that would not be needed for its original purpose any more, as it will be turned into a sculpture.

How to make this up- Two options were given for this project:

A) Single view sculpture- here the book is opened to a specific point and a three dimensional image is revealed.

B) Changing View sculpture- positive and negative spaces in the book change places, coming and going, so as a viewer turns pages, the sculpture continues to change.  Yet it can be returned to the original state at any time.  The following student example is geometric, but it can work with organic shapes as well.  Through the spaces we can see the shapes of the upcoming sections.

A few basic rules:

The book must be able to open and close as originally designed.

All pieces must remain part of the original structure, bound as created by the publisher.

You may not write or draw on the pages, but you may take advantage of words and images printed by the publisher.

You may use glue to repair torn pages, but not to build three dimensional shapes.


Homework- Carving a book is a lot more difficult than it seems that it should be, so we will continue working on this same project next week.  Due date will be determined next week.

The cast off manufactured materials project (plastics, etc) is due at the beginning of class on April 5, 2017.  Projects will be critiqued and graded that night.


For next class 4/5/17- We will continue work on the book carving project.  Bring with you the book you are working on, and whatever tools you are using.

3/15/17 3D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we started the next major project of the semester, a sequel to our stone age natural materials project.  This time, the materials are all cast off manufactured materials.  Once again the shapes, textures, and colors of the materials will have an influence on the final pieces, though this time the subjects are completely open.  

How to make this up- Come up with an idea for a representative sculpture, made from manufactured cast off materials, such as plastics, glass, metals, rubber- anything not found in nature.  The materials used can be broken up and manipulated in any way you want, though you may not paint it- all color must come from the materials used.  I posted a bunch of examples last week, and here are a few more that I showed in class tonight.

Above, bird pieces from Lisa Bagwell, below, student example from the fall semester.

Pieces may be attached by any means you prefer- nails, screws, staples, and good old hot glue.  Hidden structures are acceptable, but all things we see should have some resemblance to the intended subject.  I had provided a supply of plastic caps and other packaging materials I had saved, but anything you can find will work.  The above pieces and things posted last week should give you ideas about what kinds of things you can work with.

Homework- Next week is spring break, which gives you an extra week to get this done.  It will be due at the beginning of class on April 5, 2017.  

For next class 3/29/17- We will start our next major project, the book carving project.  This will be a multi-week project.  You will need a book that you don't mind cutting up (a back up book is a good idea in case you need it), x-acto knife, and extra blades are recommended, as blades will get dull and dull blades tend to tear paper rather than cut it.  Before our next meeting I will post examples of different approaches to this assignment so you can think about what you may want to do before class.

3/8/17 3D Design

Today's Class-  Tonight we continued the idea of making use of the inherent shapes of objects and turning them into art.  Unlike last week's natural materials, this time we are working with something that is manufactured, and not for the purpose of making art.  The medium tonight was pulp cardboard coffee trays, simple disposable, given out wherever coffee is sold to go, to help move it to the next location.  It turns out that these simple throw away times have some very complex surfaces, which like the things we looked at last week, can be adapted to other things.  Students had the option of making something familiar or just creating an abstract 3D design, but something about this project seems to make students want to create critters.  Below are some examples from tonight's class- a lion and a pig.

How to make this up- Everyone was present tonight and completed this portfolio exercise.


Homework- The natural materials projects begun in class last week are due at the beginning of class on March 15, 2017.  

For next class 3/15/17- We will begin our next graded project, a sequel to last week's stone age style project.  This time the materials will all have to be cast off manufactured materials.  All things that were created for purposes other than art, and disposed of when no longer needed, not unlike tonight's coffee trays.  Below are some examples from local artist Lisa Bagwell, who has made this way of working her specialty.

Her "Giant Hoagie" has bread make from wine bottle corks, an olive garnish made from plastic bottle caps, and is filled with plastic cup lids, gloves, disposable razors, and scraps of cloth, yet from a distance very much resembles a tasty sandwich.  

Below, bottle caps, small cigar mouthpieces, and care instruction inserts for plants are easily put to work as other things.

And now here are some examples of this project from 3D students of past semesters-

Some rules to keep in mind:

1) Sculptures should resemble something that actually exists, but can be objects or living things.

2) All colors in the finished piece must come from the items used to make them-  no painting is allowed.

3) Materials may be manipulated in any way you want.

4) Hot glue is probably the easiest way to put things together, but you can use anything you want to attach stuff- glue, nails, staples, screws, etc.

I will bring in a bunch of cast off plastic that you are welcome to, but feel free to bring in any discarded manufactured materials you want to work with. (things designed to build with are not allowed- like lego bricks, tinker toys, etc)

3/1/17 3D Design

Today's Class- Tonight we opened by looking at the positive/negative space projects (skeletons) and having a quick critique.  They were graded and returned.  Then we moved on to the next project, what I usually refer to as the stone age project.  Art made in the days when humans were cave dwellers was made with natural materials- no choice as there wasn't anything else.  What we find in looking at this ancient art, is that often the shape and design of the artwork is very much influenced by the material used to make it.  For example, a living thing might have its pose twisted to fit the shape of a particular bone or rock it would be carved into.  We did a quick exercise where I had the students take several seashells from a supply I brought in, and see if they could make something based on the shapes and textures of the shells.  Based on that idea, students were asked to design and build a small sculpture using only natural materials and hot glue, with the subject being human, animal, or a mythological hybrid, the most common subjects of that era.

How to make this up-

The whole class was present tonight, and so everyone was able to start it in class.  Students were able to use the shells again, plus anything they had brought in, so lots of rocks, twigs, pine cones, sticks, and other natural materials were put to use.  Above and below are student examples from tonight.

Homework- This stone age graded project will be due at the beginning of class on March 15, 2017.

For next class 3/8/17-  We will continue this idea of using the inherent shapes of our art materials as and inspiration, and build something from pulp cardboard coffee trays, things generally given away wherever coffee is sold to go.  The objects have surprisingly complex surfaces with a variety of concave and convex shapes that reveal themselves with careful observation.  Bring  two or three of the cardboard trays, something to cut with (knife or scissors), and white glue.

2/22/17 3D Design

Today's Class- Today the topic was planes, as in surfaces of 3D art.  We looked at some examples of Frank Lloyd Wright houses and Richard Serra sculptures, two artists who used broad planes in their work.  Then we moved on to a portfolio exercise on this topic.  

Automobiles can be considered our most potent consumer durable good, and probably the most heavily advertised thing as well.  They have inspired art for more than a century.  Tonight we considered external appearances, and students were asked to build a model of a favorite car, one chosen just because they liked the appearance, and not based on cost, speed, reliability, etc.  Instructions were to build it using foam core and bristol board, and each time a piece was cut out to be included in the car, an identical piece was to be cut out and set aside.  After your model of the car is completed and assembled, take the second set of pieces and turn the into something else- can be a recognizable object or abstract, anything but a car.  Below are some student examples from previous semesters.

And here are examples from tonight's class-

How to make this up- Everyone was present and completed the assignment

Homework- The positive/negative space graded project (skeletons) is due March 1, 2017.  

For next class 3/1/17- We will start our next graded project, the stone age art project.   Art of that era was made from natural materials, as there was nothing else.  Often the shapes of the materials dictated the subject.  I will be providing some seashells and pieces of bamboo.  You need to bring some natural materials of your choosing, such as natural wood (no plywoods), stones, seeds, etc.  Pieces of living plants (such as leaves and flower petals) are permitted, but they will start to wilt almost immediately, so should be added just before it's turned in.  You will need glue to attach everything together- hot glue is recommended for this project.  And because the cave based artists of long ago somethings painted their creations, you have that option as well.  Below are some examples from previous semesters

The subjects should reflect the kinds of subjects used by artists of the cave dwelling era- so humans, animals, mythological human/animal hybrids, all of which can be whole or parts of such things.