Sculpture terms:

Study these terms carefully, then  (a new browser window will open)

1.  medium--what the sculpture is made of (think granite or stone that is dark, bronze that is dark, and marble that is light) 

2.  subtractive--how the sculpture is made (think marble is chiseled or cut away with a special instrument) 

3.  additive--how the sculpture is made (think paper-mache with glue and newspaper strips added to a chicken-wire frame)

4.  cast--how the sculpture is made (think of hot, liquid bronze being poured into a mold to cool and harden) 

5.  closed--how the sculpture appears with arms close to the body (shows calmess, peace, thinking) 

6.  open--how the sculpture appears with arms open from the body (shows a welcoming or power) 

7.  texturization--details to make the sculpture appear real (think hair, muscles, expressions on the face, folds in the clothing) 

8.  negative space--area within the sculpture that is needed to help the object appear real (think of space between the legs) 

9.  free-standing--a sculpture that the viewer can circle and see all sides 

10.  triangle--an imaginery set of three lines drawn to connect the arms/hands or the legs/feet  with the head         

       a. apex--the highest point of the triangle that should make the viewer look at or focus on that part of the sculpture because it is important 

11.  high relief--sculpture that is mounted on a solid background with images or pictures cut deeply into the medium or the images are raised at least 75% out of the solid background 

12.  low relief--sculpture that is mounted on a solid background with images or pictures shallowly cut into the medium or the images are lying more than 75% into the solid background

Click here to see sculptures that illustrate the terms mentioned above.