Course Outline for Art 17A
Beginning Sculpture 1

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 12/12/2016
Catalog Description:

ART 17A - Beginning Sculpture 1

3.00 Units

Construction methods in clay through design of three-dimensional and relief sculptures. Includes an introduction to ceramic art history and fundamentals of ceramic glaze and firing technology. Elements and principles of three-dimensional design are emphasized in oral and written critiques. This course is designed for art majors as well as general education students.
1002.20 - Sculpture
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Laboratory 1.00 72.00 0.00 72.00
Total 3.00 108.00 72.00 180.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. build basic three-dimensional shapes, cones, spheres, and cylinders that are the foundation of all forms;
  2. achieve basic technical skills constructing clay forms using hand building and plaster mold making techniques;
  3. master glaze and under glaze decoration techniques that reflect an understanding of basic glaze and firing terms and technology;
  4. compare and contrast the multicultural influence of Eastern and Western Ceramic Sculpture traditions on contemporary ceramic art;
  5. use clay to create personal authentic expressions through a variety of themes, both figurative and abstract;
  6. analyze masterpieces and students’ sculptures, and recognize the elements and principles of three-dimensional design.
Course Content:

(Lecture)

  1. Fundamental theoretical concepts and terminology common to all three-dimensional art and design activities, including the elements of design:
    1. line
    2. shape
    3. form
    4. space
    5. value
    6. texture
    7. color
  2. Organizing principles of three-dimensional design:
    1. balance
    2. proportion
    3. repetition
    4. unity and variety
    5. scale
    6. emphasis
  3. Problem solving visual exercises that develop three-dimensional awareness and require exploration and manipulation of the basic three-dimensional elements.
  4. Introduction to a variety of three-dimensional materials and techniques that teach the dynamic relationships of three-dimensional elements and organizing principles.
  5. Translation of ideas or visual experience into tactile forms using:
    1.  formal approaches
    2. conceptual approaches
  6. Evaluation and critique of historical examples of three-dimensional design from:
    1. various cultures
    2. historical periods
    3. aesthetic sensibilities

(Studio)

  1. Hand building techniques for hollow construction of clay forms:
    1. coil building a cone, dome or sphere
    2. slab building a box or cylinder
    3. plaster mold making
    4. hollow constructed or solid armature
  2. Surface decoration techniques:
    1. creating texture while clay is still plastic by modeling, pressing stamps or other objects into wet clay
    2. carving or faceting clay forms when leather hard
    3. decoration with slip, engobe, glaze, underglaze on greenware or bisque
    4. creating a graphic image using slip and sgratifito
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Individual and group critiques
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Field Trips
  4. Studio
  5. Demonstration
  6. Distance Education
  7. One-on-one instruction
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Create a Portrait Bust with solid armature.
  2. Design an Abstract Totem (coil built).
  3. Construct a Bas Relief (slab construction).
  4. Carve a bar of soap into a replica/copy of a modernist sculpture
  1. Vocabulary quiz on Ceramic terminology.
  2. Individual creative application of personal style (how did the student make the assignment his/her own?)
  3. Portfolios
  4. Critique
  5. Class Work
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Produce three dimensional sculptures using hand-building techniques with surface decoration that shows an understanding of ceramic glaze and firing technology.
  2. Critique masterpieces and student sculptures incorporating elements and principles of 3-dimensional design using ceramic terminology.
  3. Express creative concepts.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Speight, Charlotte F., John Toki (2003). Hands in Clay (5th). .
  • Required tool kit and materials (clay) are available in the bookstore.

Periodicals:

# Title Author Publication Year Volume Rationale
1ceramics monthy2012
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Construction methods in clay through design of three-dimensional and relief sculptures. Includes an introduction to ceramic art history and fundamentals of ceramic glaze and firing technology. Elements and principles of three-dimensional design are emphasized in oral and written critiques. This course is designed for art majors as well as general education students.