Sculpture, Levels 2 & 3

Art 2 - Sculpture

Everyone is expected to have retained lessons from Art I, such as a working knowledge of the basic art elements and principles, color theory, and the basic rules of composition; all of these can aid in your approach to three-dimensional art.

This course will teach students how to think and design three-dimensionally and present a finished product. It will reinforce the sculptural concepts learned in Art 1, while allowing students to experiment with new materials and a variety of three-dimensional problems. Students will be given the opportunity to imagine, plan, sketch, design, and create such things as figurative and abstract sculptures, as well as less conventional projects such as innovative furniture, “extreme” houses, or vehicles of the future. However, because this is a small group of students, I will seek their feedback and design projects according to what three-dimensional issues they want to explore as the year progresses. Major projects are designed to be conceptual/open-ended in nature, encouraging students to make decisions, find their own creative voice, and take risks. Emphasis is placed on art elements and principles as well as on creative visual thinking and problem-solving. Strong importance is placed on individual conceptualization in students’ projects, as well as on weekly production, and students working within a community to contribute to and maintain a large studio space. We will be using such materials as plaster, plaster gauze, papier mache, clay, foam-board, wood, found objects, fabric, mat-board, etc. Additionally, we will be using tools such as xacto knives, saws, carving tools, rasps, hot glue guns, hot knives, etc. that each have their own potential risks. Student safety is of paramount importance, and safe procedures are taught and readdressed daily. Sketchbooks will be an integral part of the class for planning work, recording material experimentation results, and designing. Collaboration with peers and faculty, communication between students, student and teacher will be expected, and personal growth through creativity will be fostered.

Art 3 - Sculpture

Everyone is expected to have retained lessons from Art I & Art 2, such as a working knowledge of the basic art elements and principles, color theory, and the basic rules of composition as well as knowing how to participate in a group critique, ; all of these can aid in your approach to three-dimensional art.

This three-dimensional design and sculpture course is designed for the motivated student-artist who is interested in furthering investigations into product, furniture, vehicle, architectural design, as well as more traditional sculpture studies. At this level, the student will respond to a series of more open-ended, teacher-generated prompts, while having a chance to work on areas of personal interest to produce a finished product. Students will be working with a variety of media and techniques. They will have much more independence (than in Art Level 1 and 2 classes) in the choice of subject, medium, and materials to be used. A sketchbook will be an important tool used in this class for sketching, rendering designs, writing critiques, and investigations into art history. Collaboration with peers and faculty, communication between students, and communication between the student and teacher will be expected, and personal growth through creativity will be fostered.

Pinterest! 

Idea boards for almost every project as well as for a host of related ideas can be found on the Westlake High School Art and Ceramics Pinterest page. Follow us and be inspired! (Ideas are posted for inspirational purposes only, not for plagiarism of any variety.)