For this assignment you will be introduced to sculpture and 3D artwork. Although you my not actually produce a piece of sculpture itself, you will develop, plan and make 'painting' of your sculpture and produce a maquette (small model). This assignment is designed to allow you to use the human figure as the subject of your work, you should demonstrate that you understand basic concepts of structure and anatomy in your sketchbooks (task 1) and then apply your knowledge and understanding to help you create your final response. This could be a traditional study of the human form, or it could be an imaginative response using shape, line and colour to represent the human form.
Task 1 - Planning and preparation: •
For this task you will use the theme of the human figure for the subject of your work. So begin by deciding on a theme (subject) for your work. Try to consider the many different ways that the human figure can create shape and form such as: Dancers, Athletes, Yoga, Football and rugby players.
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Collect a variety of source images for inspiration to help you with this task. Many good sources for images and pictures are magazines, taking photographs, websites and books. Or you may choose to study a real person, perhaps a member of your class or somebody from another class such as Dance, Drama, PE etc.
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Your final painting should consist of, and use an appropriate background too. therefore you may need to collect a second set of source images to help you develop and use an interesting and effective background for your work.
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Begin this task in your sketchbook, illustrate your thoughts, intensions and process by making a Bubble Diagram Click on the document icon on the assignment page (EXPLORE) to see an example. To help you make your bubble diagram, you may like to use an online tool called BubbleUs, then you can print out a clear version of your diagram to stick into your sketchbook. Click on the weblink icon (EXPLORE) to go to this tool.
Task 2a - Drawing the basic human figure: •
Before you begin work on your own idea, it is important that you complete some work on 'Basic Figure drawing'. Using a full page in your sketchbook, draw a full-size human figure that illustrates structure and proportion. To help you do this there are two video tutorials which you can watch inside the GCSE Art eTv area. Use the eTv icon on the assignment page to go to this content, and load the video's into the player using the menu/ list above the player on the page. Watch the videos and then copy this activity into your sketchbooks using a full page. Click on the 2nd Weblink icon on the assignment page to access a worksheet which you can also use to work from for this task.
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Do TWO figure studies, the first one should be an outline with labels and annotations, the second should be 'animated' and include some shade and tone.
Task 2b - Drawing the basic human figure: •
Your next task is to work directly from a life model. You will gain marks for A01 during this task, as well as gain experience and understanding of the Human Figure.
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Click on the 2nd Weblink icon to access a worksheet for you to follow. Print this worksheet out if needed.
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The objective of this task is for you to work from two life-models: Malcolm and Mavis.
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Use the two virtual models to work from, apply the bubble-bloke technique to your work to help your drawing use structure and proportion. All of your studies should fill your sketchbook pages.
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If you provide more evidence of this type of development you will gain more marks, after working with Malcolm and Mavis, perhaps work from other models, ask friends, members of the family or find other ways to work from the human figure.
Task 3 - Development and Exploration: •
Using a full page in your sketchbook do a practise piece of your intended painting/ subject and consider the layout, scale, and colours, that you may use in your final piece. You can always change your idea for your main painting, so don't worry if your sketchbook work does not work as you intended.
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Using further pages in your sketchbook, produce some 'development' studies for your work. You will need to include some evidence of 'observational drawing'. For example, if, in your work you plan to include a dancer. Complete a set of studies based on dancers. These could be done in real life, by getting a friend to pose for your work, or, you could take some photographs which capture the dance move/ moment(s), or you might even find examples of dancers on DVD, Youtube or the telly. These could be 'Paused' at key points of the dance routine for you to work from.
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To demonstrate full planning of your work, you should apply the same process (previous steps) for developing an appropriate background for your work, using more sketchbook pages.
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To gain marks for A03 (Develop and Explore) you should demonstrate that you have tried and experimented with a range of materials, processes, layout and subject. After completing initial practise work in your sketchbook, work on further studies/ pages, but change your work so that evidence of you exploring and developing your idea is obvious. Consider changing the composition (rearrange items within your work). Experiment with 'Layers' by bringing items in your work into the foreground, and sending items into the background, overlapping items in your work etc.
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Try out alternative colour schemes, change the light-source to help generate different effects in your work.
Task 4 - Your final work: •
After you have completed the above tasks, you will be ready to start your main painting. for this work use a large (A2 or A1) sized piece of paper, or ideally this painting should be on a large canvas. Prepare/ get this canvas in advance.
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Sketch out your work lightly to begin with and alter and play about with the scale, layout and composition until you are happy.
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After your sketch is complete, add a slightly stronger, clearer line and then remove any old sketch so that you are left with a clear outline of your work.
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Your painting will need to use a variety of tone for maximum effect. Begin by painting your BACKGROUND first considering all the time how you can use different tones to create depth and effect.
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When your background is complete you should then begin painting your figure and foreground, all the time working in layers from the back to the front. As before use a variety of tone on each part of your work so that it looks 3D and life-like. Tones should vary from dark to light.
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the final stage of development is to add details throughout your painting so that features stand out, and to include areas of interest within and throughout your work.
Submitting your sample work: •
After your painting is finished, take a photograph of it and transfer it to your PC Check that your picture can be viewed correctly - orientation and focus.
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Use the SUBMIT WORK button (bottom left on the assignment page) and then click on the bottom BROWSE button to search and locate your photograph from your PC. Select your picture by clicking on it, then click OPEN.
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Click on the OK button to confirm your action.
EXTENSION: •
As an extension to this project, try making a maquette (small model) of your work. Use any materials you can find or have access to, such as wire, plaster, modelling clay, card, fabric, plastic, foam etc.
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Sculpt a version(s) of your painting on a small scale (approx 15cm high).
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Take photographs of your maquette during the development process (like a step by step record), stick these photographs into your sketchbook and add annotations that explain the process from start to finish.
Tips to for a successful project: • Plan your project carefully, get organised and allocate sufficient time for you to work on the project within the given time-frame. • Make use of the support materials provided on the assignment page of your online course.
• Print out copies of the worksheets so that you can access and use them. • Use a new sketchbook for this project, consider how you can develop this sketchbook by not only completing the set tasks but also including your own work and ideas, extend and add depth to your work 'beyond' what is required. • Discuss and share your work/ ideas with friends, family and your teacher, during and throughout the process. • When not in class/ school, use the discussion forum in the online course to ask questions or request help. • Find artists that have used the human figure as a subject for their work and study them.