Auguste Rodin, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Level: Middle School
Duration: Six 45-minute class periods
Historical Overview: Artist Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) and France
Goals and Objectives: To introduce sculpting techniques.
Vocabulary: positive and negative space, carving additive and subtractive methods, proportion, scale
Materials: clay, wire, wood, nails, armature, carving tools, wire and washer clay cutting tool, sponges, water containers, tooth brushes, and spray bottle
Procedures:
Day 1
1. Anticipatory Set: Show posters and books of different works by artist Auguste Rodin.
- Slide lecture on history of figure modeling (Romans, Greeks, Etruscan).
- Class discussion on artists shown.
- Wedge Clay.
- Make wire and washer clay cutting tool.
- Review proportions.
- Review vocabulary.
- Have students rotate around model to find their favorite view.
- Set up armatures posing wire to suit gesture of model.
- Make preliminary foundation of clay for figure.
- Make tape marks for model, marking hand, feet, and body placement. Note eye direction for better future head positioning.
- Realign clay to match pose.
- Review variety of methods for adding clay (e.g., brush, scoring with wood tool, etc.).
- Demo techniques.
- Explore variety of textures.
- Continue additive method.
- Demonstrate subtractive method and found tools.
- Students continue work, making sure to spray clay and wrap well after finishing for the day.