David McLeod is a successful Australian artist who explores form using digital technologies. He became a new father in 2021. David is a self taught digital artist, specializing in 3D images and motion graphics and was helped by his study of Computer Science and Graphic Design. He became a web designer after finishing school and has done work for many very large and successful companies including Adobe, Apple, Nike, and Wacom among many others. His work is on Vimeo, Facebook, and Instagram. After 6 years of working in web design, David transitioned to 3D image making and 3 years after that began working in 3D motion graphics using software applications such as SideFX Houdini and Maxon Cinema 4D. According to David, these softwares allow for the creation of simulations that simulate physical objects/particles/fluids and allow the artist to "Not just create simulations of the real world, but to also bend or rewrite the rules to create new and interesting results that defy real world physics. This is a very fun place to play and experiment! And it is why I feel very lucky to have the 'job' that I do!". Many of David's creations show a perpetual cycle between growth and decline.

Artist: David McLeod

Movement(s): Digital Arts

Supplies needed:

K-3: Dish pans, dish soap, food coloring, gloves, heavy weight paper, straws, color pencils, chalk pastels

4-8: Chalk pastels, heavy weight paper, Computer, email address (work will be saved as an .obj file and emailed to Mrs. Ashton) Digital sculpting link

Learning Objectives:

• Students will explore the concept of form and creation of art that appears to be 3D.

• Students in K-3 will explore the creation of form using value on a circle in an effort to give it the appearance of a sphere.

• Students in grades 3-8 will be introduced to digital sculpting and learn how to manipulate a sphere into a sculpture, save a file as .obj and share a file through email.

Essential Questions:

• What is 3D?

• How can an image that is flat and 2D be made to appear 3D? (Illusion of form)

• How can a 3D object be made to become 2D? (Capture its impression, take a photo)

Hook:

Students will watch the 2D digital sculpture of David Mcleod come to life through as though it were 3D in short videos.

Description:

The class will be introduced to David Mcleod and analyze some of his artwork. The class will watch it in motion and consider the essential questions regarding form and the difference between 2D and 3D. The class will compare and contrast a drawing of a circle and a drawing of a sphere to a 3D ball. K-2 students will be introduced to the concept of form through the creation of highlights and shadows on a sphere drawing. Afterward, students will try to capture a print of spheres in the form of bubbles that have been covered in dye. 3-8 students will learn how to transform a circle into a sphere on paper using chalk pastels. They will then digitally sculpt in what appears to be 3D on the 2D computer screen. They will save their file as .obj and upload it to or email to Mrs. Ashton.

Sequence:

Day 1: Intro to David Mcleod, analysis of his work, essential questions, discussion of form and value. Comparing and contrasting a circle, drawing of a sphere, and a ball. Creation of a sphere from a circle using value (the addition of highlights and shading)

Day 2: K-2 Bubble Art

3-8 Intro to digital sculpting

Day 3: K-2 Watercolor over the bubble art

3-8 Completion of digital sculpting

Vocabulary:

David Mcleod: An artist who works in 3D sculpture and animation

3D: An object in space that has volume

Volume: The quantity of space taken up within an object

Form: An object in space that is 3D and has volume. In art the illusion of form can be created by adding value (shadows and highlight) and by drawing objects in perspective.

Sculpting: The process of changing a form through manipulation using means such as carving, pinching, pulling or otherwise distorting the original form to create a different form