Toothpick Sculpture

1. Toothpick Sculpture

2. Toothpick Sculpture • Create a basic shape out of toothpicks • Use glue to secure the ends • Repeat that shape • Make many many many times • Arrange the shapes into a thoughtful and 3 dimensional composition • Use glue to secure the structure • Create a base for the sculpture Mat Board • You Must Paint the Sculpture before you put it together • Tempera • Plan the colors to accentuate the design • Attach the sculpture to the base

3. Use will be using the principles of designin the construction of your sculpture. • RepetitionThe use of similar design features again and again. • VarietyWhen parts of an artwork seem to be different from each other but nonetheless have something in common. • Rhythm Repetition and variation are used to create visual Rhythm. A more or less regular pattern created by the elements of design as they seem to move and change in space. It is actually the eye that moves across the changing surfaces of the piece.

4. Balance (Visual Balance) • Symmetrical Balance: The formal placement of identical parts on each side of an imaginary vertical axis, or line that could be drawn vertically through the piece. • Asymmetrical Balance: Areas on either side of an imaginary central vertical axis are not identical but appear to have the same visual weight. • Emphasis A: One area or quality of an art work is dominant, visually, with other areas contributing but subordinate. B: To direct all elements of design towards an intended goal or purpose. C: Limit the viewers focus to only a few elements of design, or visual economy. • Proportion The size relationship among parts of a work.

5. Requirements: • You will create a free standing linear sculpture composed of units. • design modular unit using two or more toothpicks - construct as many modular units as possible with at least 200 toothpicks • design sculpture made from modular units

6. Assignment • You will be given approximately 200 toothpicks (pre-counted in a zip lock bag) • You must use all 200 toothpicks. You can use more • You will begin by gluing two, three or four toothpicks together creating a unit. The unit can be a geometric shape such as a square or triangle or as simple as two toothpicks glued side by side. Make some thumbnail sketches of sculpture plan using unit. • You will then create as many units as possible using all the toothpicks. It should be noted that construction of the units can not be done quickly. The glue will take approximately 30 minutes to dry.

7. Once all units have been created students will begin to create a three dimensional form using all the units. The form created must show movement, repetition, negative space, and line. • The base for the sculpture will be Mat Board. • Critique finished work. Discuss what is successful with each work.

8. Student Examples

9. You are going to make one shape/unit and repeat it

15. Follow these basic guidelines: • ***Less glue is better. The big secret is to remember to only use a very small amount of glue when you stick two toothpicks together. • ***Sticking two toothpicks together: Put a small glob of glue (about the size of a dime) onto a piece of scratch paper; you'll use this glob to dip your toothpicks into. Take a toothpick and just barely dip the end of it into the glue. (Remember, too much glue and it will take too long to dry.) Now, stick the glue-covered tip against another toothpick. • After holding it firmly for a few seconds you can gently release the toothpick and it will hold. You may have to experiment until you learn how much glue is too much and how much is too little. But once you get the hang of it, you're on your way! • ***One toothpick at a time. HAPPY TOOTHPICKING