ART 338 / Skull Sculpture

Due Thursday, September 25

Assignment: Create a life size clay sculpture of the anatomical skull.

Submitting the Work: Bring completed sculpture to class for group review on the 25^th. Also by the 25^th, photo document the sculpture. Always take 3 views (front, side, three quarter) and spend time carefully lighting and framing the sculpture as demonstrated. Submit photos by emailing jpeg files (no less than 1200 pixels tall @ 150 dpi) and save for later inclusion in final portfolio. For more info on photo documentation see handout on that subject.

Evaluation: This sculpture will be evaluated on two counts:

#1 Good observation methods:

The use of physical notations (marks, lines, coils of clay) that aid observation including:

1. Quadrant marks as a way to judge symmetry

2. Alignment lines to judge relative positions of features

3. Proportion marks that divide up the total object into correct ratios

Employing good vantage point practices including:

1. Moving around the model at a steady, constant pace to create a work that unifies all points of view into a coherent object.

2. Always positioning your sculpture and the model in the same visual relationship to your eye (both level and angle)

3. Standing back far enough from your sculpture so you can see it as a whole.

Developing your sculpture in a consistent progressive manner including:

1. Beginning with overall observations by roughing out basic forms (i.e.-seeing and modeling forms in terms of their underlying geometry).

2. Developing all parts of the sculpture equally (not leaving certain views or parts of the figure less attended to).

3. Only moving on to more detail when underlying topology is well established.

#2. Accurate results: The degree of accuracy to which you’ve modeled the skull as observed. This includes accurate proportions and alignments, accurate shapes and other bone details.