I had a quick reminder as to why I’m doing the drawing course last week – on a clay modelling course. Although the work produced might not be the height of artistic achievement, it was very much based in drawing. The following images from my sketchbook illustrate the point – when combined with the “finished” work from featured image. Continue reading “Drawing into Sculpture…”
Whilst I was in Austria an opportunity arose to bid for a piece of “Public Art” sculptural work. They wanted a 1:5 design for a large piece. I proposed the delivery of a 4 section “log carving”. By that I mean deep relief sculptures created by carving into the log from the bark side. The design appears in a window within the log. I’ve done a number of smaller pieces in this style, which I was able to include photos of. I did, however, want to make sure the full idea of the design was clear. Continue reading “Drawing for Sculpture”
The second week of my stay in Elbigenalp concentrated on Ornamental sculpture. The initial discussion struck a very strong note: The basis of all ornamental carving is drawing. An important aspect of starting the whole process was visual research, looking through ornament reference books. This was followed by an initial drawing, which has edges and shading added to help the carver understand the form being described more fully. As part of the process I did make a small maquette, but that was mainly to help me think through the major forms. The photographs below tell the story fairly well: Continue reading “Ornamental carving”
As part of my time in Elbigenalp I’ve been looking at Drapery this week. The first part of the exercise was to look at Drapery historically, which is the subject of another blog post. The next part of the task was to take a study cast and to place a dress on it with (reasonably) realistic clothing folds. This is somewhat more complex than it might seem at first. The Drapery Research blog post gives an idea of the way that the rules of drapery work. Continue reading “Drapery Sculpture”
Reflecting on the assignment and my previous blog about sculptors’ use of photomontage I decided I really had to give it a go. I’m in Elbigenalp in Austria with the sun shining, so that has to be a good start for the landscape part.
As part of a carving project I have been considering drapery, as well as for the drawing course. As well as the construction of drapery I’ve been examining the different styles and variation across time. The variation is significant, with the different styles seeming to go in long cycles across time. Continue reading “Drapery styles”
During my research for Sculptor’s use of drawing I came across the implication that Henry Moore used the idea. This is implied, and to a degree shown, in this article:
“In 1937 and again in 1938 Moore famously photographed maquettes for two Reclining Figure sculptures very close to the lens, so as to make each diminutive object look enormous against the distant landscape … it is perhaps more likely that these photographs are not so much tests as they are declarations of triumph: they are demonstrations of his sense of the monumental. Rather like physically lifting objects from the ground and holding them close to himself, here Moore brings the maquette so close to the lens (and therefore the viewer) that its monumental scale is confirmed.” Rachel Wells, ‘Scale at Any Size: Henry Moore and Scaling Up’, in Henry Moore: Sculptural Process and Public Identity, Tate Research Publication, 2015, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/research-publications/henry-moore/rachel-wells-scale-at-any-size-henry-moore-and-scaling-up-r1151302, accessed 05 October 2017.
My tutor for Drawing Foundations made a potentially throw away comment that “Sculptors using drawing differently” during our Assignment 4 review session. On reflection I thought this was important to follow up on as a piece of research, as to what the comment meant and implied. I can partly answer this from my own experience. In late-stage drawings that will be mapped to a sculpture it is important that the skills of drawing in perspective are put to one side. These drawings have more in common with architectural drawings than pieces of expressive artwork. I don’t think, however, this this is the full story. There is, therefore, a fruitful avenue for investigation available which could help move me forwards. Continue reading “How do sculptors use drawing?”
Trying a test of making a dry glaze using slip. First test of 80ml slip (in this case Pot 6 Lime Green), Frit at 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp and 1 tsp strengths (in this base Frit 3195). The tests are left to right in “stripes” below:
On my way up the country to a family holiday in Cumbria we stopped off at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This was planned as a stop over in the long trip from Kent, but gave me a good opportunity to take in some art along the way. There was a great deal to see, and if you’ve never visited and get the chance plan to spend a while there if you can. The following outline a few highlights of this trip. This write up is bereft of images as I have no idea on the copyright issues of including them. I have, however, included links that are worth following for images and more information. Continue reading “A trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park”
Another side-track for the course, but before I can finish the Annie Peaker, or other ceramic, work I need to do a set of glaze tests so as to know how to approach colouring and Glazing them. This needs to be completed carefully and rigorously if the results aren’t going to be disappointing.
The following notes illustrate the process. Continue reading “Ceramic Tests”
I’ve been working on a relief carving of a Thames barge for a while. I had a dark patch under the bowsprit. Unfortunately I needed to deep it a touch, and in doing so a knot below crumbled. I now need to work out a way to patch it which is in keeping with the design, is achievable and will be sufficiently robust.
I’ll start with some of my own sculpture that I actually like. I’m sticking to pieces that are my design, rather than copies of someone else’s work. When on courses at the Austria wood carving school one of the major teaching devices is to get you to carve from others designs. Although I like many of these, I don’t really consider them my work. Continue reading “Developing Artistic Style, part 2”
This particular journey started whilst touring Pinterest. It is something I have come to realise that I need to do previously, but in a fairly abstract way rather than considering a research-based approach. This is a theme that keep recurring, as in “Newman made Pagan Void two years before he discovered his artistic direction. Like many of his peers, he was interested in Native American art and Surrealism, influences visible in the biomorphic shapes in this abstraction.” (From
https://www.coursera.org/learn/painting/supplement/KojL2/2-1-introduction-to-barnett-newman, part of the “In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting!” course about Barnett Newman. You may have to sign up to view the material, URL Viewed 05 April 2017) This sort of reference occurs many times, and I have observed it in a number of artists. The concept seems to be that an artist tries lots of different approaches and techniques until the find something that they focus on and really get involved with. Continue reading “Developing Artistic Style”
David Howard, OCA Drawing 1 