Terminologies in 3 Dimensional Art – SS1 Visual Arts Lesson Note (Second Term)

3D art is artwork that has three dimensions: height, width and depth, so it exists in physical space and can be viewed from many angles.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define 3D art and state its three dimensions;
2. explain the terms form, volume, mass, space and texture;
3. describe symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial balance;
4. explain proportion, perspective, armature and relief;
5. list examples of 3D art forms.

What is 3D art?

3D art is art made in three dimensions, so it takes up real space and can be walked around.

• Height: how tall the artwork is, from bottom to top.
• Width: how wide the artwork is, from side to side.
• Depth: how far the artwork extends from front to back.

What is the difference between 2D art and 3D art?

2D art is flat and has only height and width, as in a drawing or painting.

3D art has height, width and depth, as in a sculpture or a clay pot.

What are the key terminologies in 3D art?

There are ten key terms in 3D art: form, volume, mass, space, texture, balance, proportion, perspective, armature and relief.

1. What is form?

Form is the shape and structure of an object in 3D space.

• Importance: form defines how the object looks from every angle.
• Geometric form: regular shapes such as cubes, spheres and cylinders.
• Organic form: natural, irregular shapes such as the human body or a tree.

2. What is volume?

Volume is the amount of space that an object occupies.

• It helps us judge the size of the artwork.
• Artists change the volume to make large or small forms, depending on the effect they want.

3. What is mass?

Mass is the physical bulk or weight of a 3D object, and it is closely related to volume.

• An object with great mass looks solid and dense.
• A work made of light material can still look visually heavy.

4. What is space in 3D art?

Space is the area around, between and within the objects in a 3D artwork.

• Positive space: the area occupied by the object itself.
• Negative space: the empty area around and through the object, such as the gap between an arm and a body in a figure.
• Artists use space to create balance and harmony.

5. What is texture?

Texture is the surface quality of an object, meaning how it feels or looks as if it would feel.

• Actual texture: the real surface you can feel, such as rough stone or smooth polished wood.
• Implied texture: a surface that only looks rough or smooth to the eye.
• Sculptors use texture to add interest and detail to their work.

6. What is balance?

Balance is the arrangement of elements in a 3D artwork to create a sense of stability.

There are three types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial.

• Symmetrical balance: both sides of the artwork are identical or nearly identical.
• Asymmetrical balance: both sides are different but still look balanced.
• Radial balance: elements spread out from a central point, like spokes of a wheel.

7. What is proportion?

Proportion is the relationship between the sizes of the different parts of an object.

• Correct proportion creates a realistic look.
• Exaggerated proportion can express emotion or an idea, such as a very large head on a figure.

8. What is perspective?

Perspective is the technique of creating an illusion of depth and distance.

• Linear perspective: lines appear to meet at a point in the distance.
• Atmospheric perspective: colours and details fade to suggest distance.

9. What is an armature?

An armature is a framework that supports a sculpture while it is being made.

• It is used mainly with soft materials such as clay or plaster.
• It holds the artwork in shape until the material hardens.
• Common armature materials include wire, wood and metal rods.

10. What is relief?

Relief is a type of sculpture in which the forms project from a flat background.

There are two types of relief: high relief and low relief.

• High relief (alto-relievo): the forms stand out strongly from the background.
• Low relief (bas-relief): the forms are shallow and stand out only a little.

What are examples of 3D art forms?

There are four common 3D art forms: sculpture, ceramics, architecture and installations.

• Sculpture: making objects by carving, modelling or assembling materials such as clay, stone, metal or wood.
• Ceramics: making pots, vases or figurines from clay and firing them in a kiln.
• Architecture: designing and constructing buildings and other large structures.
• Installations: large artworks that transform a space, often using different materials and interactive elements.

What are the methods of making sculpture?

Sculpture is made mainly by carving, modelling, casting and assembling.

• Carving: cutting away material from a solid block, such as wood or stone.
• Modelling: building up a form with soft material such as clay.
• Casting: pouring melted metal or liquid material into a mould to harden.
• Assembling: joining different pieces or found objects into one work.

What are Nigerian examples of 3D art?

Nigeria has a long history of 3D art, seen in its sculpture and ceramics.

• Nok terracotta: fired clay figures from the Nok culture.
• Ife heads: naturalistic head sculptures from Ile-Ife.
• Benin plaques: metal plaques with figures in relief, from the Benin Kingdom.
• Wooden masks and figures: carvings used in festivals and traditional ceremonies.
• Clay pots: everyday ceramics made in many Nigerian communities.

Evaluation

1. Define 3D art and state its three dimensions.
2. Explain the difference between positive space and negative space.
3. Name the three types of balance and describe each one.
4. What is an armature, and why do sculptors use it?
5. Distinguish between high relief and low relief.

Assignment

Look for an example of a sculpture in your environment. Write a short description of its form, texture and space.