Project:
Create a relief sculpture utilizing letters as shapes in the style of Robert Indiana's "LOVE" sculpture above.
Things to Consider:
1) Shapes used in lettering design can be used as components for various art projects including sculpture
2) Different styles of lettering can be used towards creating different effects
3) Lettering can help to convey feeling
4) Negative spaces around the letters may be considered as additional shapes
5) Compositional interest is enhanced through the combination of shapes and the spaces that are created around them.
Materials Needed:
metallic acrylic paint, mat board (or recycled corrugated card board), primer, X-acto knives, metal rulers, drawing paper, scissors, glue (hot glue may also be used). (Note any kind of cardboard could be used for middle school)
Directions:
1) Research typographical / font styles and plan letter designs on a sheet of paper.
2) Create templates for letter shapes (2 letters) to size desired – minimum of 5 copies of each letter to be used (additional shapes around letters as well as additional copies of the letters being used may be included) – 10 shape minimum.
3) Trace shapes from templates onto the board – keep templates in folders (create an envelope to hold them). Letters / shapes should not exceed 8” on a side.
4) Cut / sand board shapes: X-acto knives / metal rulers.
5) Notch shapes for fitting pieces together (as needed – notches should be no wider than shapes are thick, and should be at least ½” deep).
6) Paint using acrylic paint (white, black, gold, silver, copper, or brass) – only ONE color to be used in sculpture. Base may be same color, black, white, or a combination of black and white in a pattern that works with the configuration of the shapes (base should be primed if using black or white as color).
7) After drying, shapes to be attached to each other.
8) Cut bases – 12” square particle board, masonite or heavy cardboard.
9) Attach / glue shapes - Cardboard spacers may be placed between letters to give more relief.
10) Critique/discuss finished work. Write a reflection piece about the sculpture.
Examples of Student Work:
