Freeform

Henry Moore Sculpture

Objective:

To create a pleasing, organic looking freeform sculpture inspired by the work of Henry Moore. 

Requirements:

Start with a ball of clay about the size of a softball Include at least 3 negative spaces but no more than 7

Make it sexless!

Make sure there is no obvious bottom

Completely fettle the whole sculpture (during the leather hard stage)

Supplies:

Clay, spoon and other fettling tools.

Terms:

Abstract: to simplify or exaggerate shapes to emphasize form. Starts from a real object.

Craftsmanship: A person who practices a craft with great skill; The technique, style, and quality of working. 
 

Fettle: The act, process, technique, of smoothing an object with a tool. Rubbing the object until it becomes smooth and shiny. To burnish.

Hole- A void or space. An are without material. A void or impression in the sculpture.

Subtractive technique- To remove material to create a sculpture.

In the round- Can be view from all sides.

Target skills:

Craftsmanship

Patience

Hand Eye coordination

Rubric: Microsoft Word format

Step #1

Start with a ball of clay that is at least softball size. Wedge the clay for 5 minutes. Make sure that the clay contains not air pockets.

Step #2

Start to shape the clay using only your hand for tools. No carving is allowed. Create 4-7 negative spaces. Try to look for a figure emerging from the clay. The sculpture is to be abstract, so keep the figure simple with no detail.

Although this sculpture is to represent a human, be careful not to have the figure standing. Make sure that the figure is interesting from all sides. There should be no obvious bottom the the figure.

Step #3

Once you have the shape of the figure completed spend several hours smoothing and refining the shape. When it become leather hard you may start fettling. Use a spoon and start to rub the clay. The clay will become smooth and shiny. Sometimes the clay will start to get black streaks on it. For the areas that will not accept the spoon, try other tools. If you look, you can find a tool that will work.

Samples