Wire Figures

• 7.5 heads tall• Shoulders are 3 heads

wide• Arms: “wingspan” is

equal to the height of the figure (7.5 heads)

• Torso and neck: 2 heads

• Waist & Pelvis: 1 head

• Designing your figures is like doing a gesture drawing

• The essential elements of a pose

• Props can help• Your figure should tell

a story

Angelina Carter

Jason Pinkerton

Cody Shrope 2010

Professional Artist Rudy Kehkla @ rudykehkla.com

Conductor Bass Player

Professional Artist Rudy Kehkla @ rudykehkla.com

Leonardo Da Vinci Picasso

What is Required of Your Sculpture:

• Construct a humanoid figure using correct proportions

• At least 2 parts of the figure must enclose volume

• You may build your figure using a skeletal structure, contour structure, or any combination

• Tell a story with your figure• The figure must be able to stand up on its own

Sketch:• Two views of your proposed sculpture• Demonstrates volume in at least two places• Tells a story• Shows how it will be supported• This is a formative grade.• As soon as your sketch is approved we can start

your sculpture!

Starting the Figure

Day 2

Steps:• Start with the sketch.• Next, construct the head, spine, and shoulders

of the figure – everything else attaches to this.• From there you will work constructing the figure

however your logic dictates.• The last step will be to make sure the figure can

securely stand on its own.

• Be aware of where the end of wire is at all times.

• Place a small loop on the end of the wire to prevent harm.

Safety Concerns:

• Needle-nose pliers have two parts:– A cutter, located where the

round circle or indent is– Pincers, used to grab and

bend the metal• Watch the pliers as you use

them, they can pinch or cut

Tool Use:

Braiding

• The best way to join two pieces of wire is to braid them– It makes a strong connection– It does not make a clump or

knot which is unattractive• This is done by twisting or

twining two piece of wire together over a length

Crimping

• Most of the time the wire can be bent by hand

• Crimping is using the pliers to squeeze wire together, to create a smaller space between two ends of the wire

• This can be used to create small details, like ribs or fingers

Limb Styles and Attachment

Day 3

Outline w/twist Stick Figure

Outline w/bones Wrapped Leg