BTEC Art and Design Blog: L6 Moving into 3D and Abstract Sculptor Research

Moving into 3D:

Set of Sculptural Visualisation Drawings

In order to transition from the relief pieces you've been working on to a fully 3D sculpture we require you to produce at least 6 sculptural visualisation drawings. You should identify effective abstract shapes in your 2D work and your relief piece and include some of these as the starting point of your drawings. These are working drawings so each one could be a development/refinement of the one before.

Work quickly with fluid marks and group several drawings on each page. Look at the example above and the series below by Seymour Lipton.

Sketch by Seymour Lipton

Seymour Lipton Sculpture resulting from the last sketch above.

The contemporary American Sculptor Kevin Barrett shifts between relief based pieces and fully 3D sculptures. In the examples below you can see how similar shapes and ways of visually manipulating space are common to both his relief works and his sculptures.

Relief work by Kevin Barrett

Sculpture by Kevin Barrett

Following on from your visualisation drawings you will need to construct a fully 3D sculptural piece using the brown modelling card as your staple material.

Obviously transfer the skills and lessons gained from making your relief pieces, but be aware there are additional challenges associated with working in full 3D.

Some areas to think about are:

Volumes versus planes. There are plenty of online sources of net templates for a variety of simple 3D forms - use them!
Points of balance.
Use of space/negative space.
Creating visual interest from all angles.
Scale (both of overall piece and elements of it in relation to one another)
Visual weight of elements.
Visual rhythm and flow created within the piece.
Thoughtful use of repetition.
Quality of construction - this becomes even more crucial once you are working on a free standing 3D piece.

Research:

To support the practical work we are undertaking you are required to research an abstract sculptor. Choose one of the two above Seymour Lipton or Kevin Barrett or choose from one of those detailed below:
As usual with research this should be thoughtfully presented, include several images of the sculptor's work along with brief biographical detail and some personal analysis and justified opinions that relate to specific works. This work needs to be completed for submission with the rest of your project on Monday 4th November, but familiarising yourself with the work of these Sculptors and completing the research in a timely fashion ahead of your practical work is strongly advised.
When analysing 3D work look at the bulleted list of sculptural concerns higher up in this post and comment on how these different elements are being applied.
In addition to the two mentioned above some Sculptor's whose work might be particularly relevant include: