How to Make Abstract Wood Sculptures
Sculpture is a three-dimensional fine art method of shaping figures or designs by either extracting material or compiling material. It is a unique way to execute fine art expression, as a finished art sculpture can be viewed in all 360 degrees. Abstract sculpture allows greater personal freedom from the confines of realism, as it is can be created based on intrinsic form rather than having to represent content realistically.
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Things You'll Need
- 1-2 sheets of paper
- Pencil or pen
- Clay
- Clay modeling tools (small, medium and large)
- Wood block (size dependent on completed size of artwork)
- Electrical hand-powered saw
- Wood carving tools (small, medium and large)
- Files
- Sandpaper
- Wood primer
- Wood paint
- Decorative materials (if needed)
- Wood sealant protectant finishing paint/gloss
- Paint brushes (small, medium and large)
- Protective eye goggles
Instructions
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Creating Your Sculpture
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1
Sketch your sculpture idea on a sheet of paper. Once you have a design you are satisfied with, create a small-scale model of your drawing out of clay using the clay modeling tools.
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2
Using a pencil, darkly draw your design on one face of the block of wood. Carve out the first face of the block with the electrical wood saw, focusing on removing large chunks of material before you try to carve out the smaller, more intricate designs of your idea.
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3
Continue to carve the overall shape of your sculpture with the wood saw until you have removed the majority of extraneous surrounding wood. Once the general shape of your sculpture has been formulated, move to the smaller wood saws to begin carving the specific shape of your sculpture.
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4
When your sculpture design has been completely carved out and all the more time-consuming details have been finished, sand the entire sculpture two to three times using sandpaper and files until there are no sharp or rough edges.
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5
If your finished concept of the sculpture is in natural wood form, use a large wood sealant-coated paintbrush to glaze your entire sculpture. Let stand and dry and apply as many coats as the directions suggest.
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6
If you are continuing to paint your sculpture, apply an all-over coat of primer to the wood sculpture, let stand and dry the recommended time length of your primer. Paint and decorate your sculpture as intended. Finish by coating your sculpture with wood sealant.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Art supplies can be expensive, so it is important to lay out your plan with a small-scale model before beginning any work on life-sized materials. Depending on the concept for a sculpture work, the task at hand may require careful consideration of how to execute a concept. Stop during various stages of your project to assess the progress of your sculpture. You will want to be flexible and problem-solve if something should happen to go not according to plan. When choosing the size of your wood block, err on the side of larger to allow yourself room for error.
Heavy machinery and cutting tools can be dangerous. When you work, make sure you are focused, aware and not fatigued so as to avoid any injury. After completing work for the day, be sure to put sharp objects or tools out of reach and carefully stowed away, and turn off all machinery.
