Foil Sculpting: Beginner - Rose

 

Summary

Sculpture

What can you create with a single sheet of foil? In this lesson, students will be learning the techniques necessary to use foil to bring their ideas to life. They will be developing a better understanding of 3D form and material manipulation through their work with the medium of foil. Students will learn methods of manipulating form and space, and how these can be used to best represent the 3D object they are trying to replicate.

 

Essential Terms

  • Form: An element of art, means objects that have three dimensions

  • Shape: A two-dimensional area that is defined by a change in value or some other form of contrast

  • 3-D / 3-Dimensional: Having or appearing to have length, breadth, and depth

  • Isolate: To be or remain alone or apart from others or things

  • In the round: When sculpture is viewed “in the round” it can be seen from all angles

Objectives

  • Students will be able to use limited materials to create a 3 dimensional object.

  • Students will be able to create a foil sculpture while keeping the sheet intact.

  • Students will be able to work slowly and carefully in refining their final product.

Master Artist / Historical References

  • Claes Oldenberg

  • Alexander Calder

 

Age Level(s)

5 - 6 years old

Needed Materials

  • Foil (we recommend Member’s Mark 9 x 9” foil sheets)

Learning Path

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

Downloads

Project Instructions (PDF)

Attributions

Content Creator: Douglas Shaw Elder

Curriculum Developers: Tamah Minnis, Augustine Smith

 
 

Step 1

Start with a sheet of foil that is about 9 inches long. You can buy precut foil sheets that are all the same size, but if you are working with a roll of foil, make sure to cut or tear each sheet to the same size. Consistency is key when you are trying to develop a new skill.

 

Step 2

Create a tube with the foil sheet, longways. The tube should resemble a paper towel tube.

 

Step 3

Insert fingers 1.5 to 2 inches into the tube to keep this section of the tube open.

 

Step 4

Pinch the tube just below your fingers, twisting down to the end of the tube. This will be your stem.

 

Step 5

Once you have created your stem, work with the open area of the tube to mold it into the twisting petals of a rose.

 

Bonus Tips

  • Do you have a rose in your garden or in a vase in your house? While it may not be a great idea to feel the forms of the rose with your hands (thorns! ouch!), you can look at the rose from all sides to see how these 3D forms look “in the round.”

  • Remember to move slowly and gently, foil is easier to crunch than to un-crunch!

  • What type of flowers can you create? Calla Lilies? Sunflowers? You can use these same basic techniques to form your own unique creations!

 
 
5 - 6 years old, Sculpture, Foil SculptingEmily Strickler5 - 6 years old