#3dpractice

Working in clay. Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop

| harussell1

In this workshop we were introduced to a variety of techniques that can be used when sculpting clay.These techniques included hitting the clay with blocks of wood,punching it, and sculpting it with wire. We were reminded not to make the sculpture too ‘top heavy’ which is something I really struggled with and it seemed the more I tried not to the more it happened.The soloution I found to this was often to turn the sculpture onto it’s side.

As you can see from the images above each technique had a very different outcome.After our first initial technique of punching the clay we had to respond by drawing it and then make another piece.Continuing with the developmental loop.I think the two techniques I liked the most and found to be the most sucessful was using the sticks and the wire.

I found that there was a very relaxing meditive quality to working hands on with the clay and really getting involved with the medium.It was pretty unpredictable to work with but gave some interesting results.

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.

| harussell1

Today we went for a 15 min walk after watching a presentation about various sculpture artists over the centurys for inspiration. On the walk we were asked to make mental notes of words that related to our surroundings.

My first free formed sculpture.Can’t say I was best pleased with the way it turned out.As I felt that it lacked too much in the way of dimension especially when compared it to fellow classmates.

Once back in the studio we made small free formed paper sculptures based on these mental notes, and then worked within a developmental loop drawing from the sculpture then sculpting from the drawing using select items such as paper,paper straws,cardboard and wire.

Form is starting to come together more.But still doesn’t have enough of a 3D aspect to it.

To start with I really struggled to construct and think in a 3D format but once everybody talked about their work and i got to view other works I felt inspired and my work started to take on a more sculptural form. We were also allowed to refine one of our pieces after talking about it which really helped to see the strengths and weaknesses.We were told to makesure that our sculptures were viewable from every angle.

One challenge I particulary enjoyed was drawing the sculpture using charcoal then trying to fit the sculpture into the drawing.I felt that the composition I choose worked well due to the fact the straws lead your eye around the shape.

Experimenting with the positioning of the sculpture within the picture.https://drive.google.com/file/d/17aDbscJaRQuDwnSotQeUMXuIdJO63_mg/view?usp=sharing

Decided to simplify the shapes that could be found in the diamond structure within the last piece I made and make them into a mobile structure inspired by Alexander Calder’s work seen earlier in the day during the presentation. https://images.app.goo.gl/8rGMk5CYz1gaxLYj7

A video of the mobile in action:https://drive.google.com/file/d/17V6ispmWJtrOGgAPOYmWBrJPsBIIphHi/view?usp=sharing

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop

| harussell1

Due to us spending next week at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop we were given an induction where we were introduced to all the diferent machines within the wood workshop.We were then asked to do practice pieces using these machines before being given several pieces of wood and asked to make a final piece using the equitment provided.

I felt quite aprehensive about using the machines as it’s not an environment that I am used to and there is alot of danger attached to using these machines should you loose focus or not follow the safety guidelines.Over the course of the afternoon tho I did start to feel slowly more confident.

Final piece.Decided to go for something very simple based on one of the shapes produced during my 2D work and hung as a final piece.The triangles used very thin wood and would be quite intricate to cut on the bandsaw so decided to use a table saw as a normal saw seemed to be too heavy and splintered the ends of the triangles.Forgot to sand the triangles which you can see by the rough edges.

We got to have a sneak peek at an exhibition currently taking place within the sculpture workshop and also work in progress which included a pair of (legally aquired) silver casted swans wings which could of been interpretted as angels wings.Also alot of bronze/silver casted items that looked like they belonged to a movie set such as a giant set of horns,gas mask,shoes.We were encouraged to talk to artists using the workshops to find out about the processes they are using in order to inform our own processes.