Year 8 - Art and design
Exploring 3D art materials with casting (paper and plaster)
Being curious about 3D design
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils will explore sculptural forms, delving into organic and human made forms through 3D art. They will enhance their 3D thinking, source inspiration, and experiment with various materials. Pupils will learn technical techniques, modeling, and construction methods.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explore casting techniques through hands-on experimentation to create casts using plaster and paper.
Key Notes
- Casting is a sculpting process that allow us to create replicas or translate modelled sculptures into durable materials.
- Hands-on experimentation with materials fosters a deeper understanding of their properties.
- Exploring different casting methods supports informed choices and more intentional outcomes in future projects.
Vocabulary To Learn
- casting: a sculpture making technique where a malleable material is formed in mould
- mould: a hollow container used to shape the malleable material
- undercut: a part of the mould that curves around the object or cast in a way that makes it hard to remove the object from the mould. It can trap the cast inside the mould if not designed carefully
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Plaster and paper will behave the same way in a mould.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Casting is a sculpting process that allow us to create replicas or translate modelled sculptures into durable materials. Hands-on experimentation with materials fosters a deeper understanding of their properties.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'casting'
a sculpture making technique where a malleable material is formed in mould.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Plaster and paper will behave the same way in a mould. Correction: Plaster and paper have very different properties. Plaster sets quickly and picks up fine details. Paper air dries more slowly and shrinks more as it dries. It might not show fine texture as clearly.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 8 Art and design guide library.