Linear Toothpick Sculpture
Examples & lesson adapted from: www.princetonol.com/.../high/Cyndi-sculpture.htm
Purpose: To create a free standing linear sculpture composed of units. The form created must show
movement, repetition, negative space, and line.
Objectives: Student will
Design individual modular units using two or more toothpicks to be combined into a sculpture that
shows movement & repetition, along with good use of negative space, and line.
- or - Make a toothpick sculpture of an identifiable subject in 3D form.(preapproved by teacher)
Show awareness of art vocabulary in critique works of art
Materials: toothpicks - 100 per student; zip lock bags; hot glue or wood glue (or Elmer's glue); masking tape; wood blocks or
Styrofoam blocks, plaster gauze or paper mache; spray paint (assorted colors); Optional: wood for bases, electric drill, drill bit
Assignment - Emphasis: Line, negative space, movement, and repetition
Discuss the how artists communicate visually in their work using the elements of design. The elements of design should be used
as the building blocks of the structure you are trying to create. The elements of design are form, space, texture, space, line, color
and value.
Line is a mark made by a moving point. It directs a visual path from one point to another. In sculpture, line can
define the solid mass- it serves as the outline. We perceive the “edges” of the surface as lines. In fact, these edges are
planes, and this term should be used to refer to sculptural forms.
Space refers to the area around, within, and occupied by the three-dimensional object, as well as the way these areas
interact. The sculptor must consider the positive space as well as the negative space (the area around and within the
structure) when planning a sculpture.
Movement is the sense of motion created by the angles or planes to further the sculptural idea. It may be categorized
as implied movement, optical movement, actual movement, and sequence. A strong sense of movement can be
created in a sculpture through the use of diagonal edges or planes. Opposing, asymmetrical paths of movement will
challenge the viewer’s sense of balance and can be used to dramatically affect the sculpture. Viewer movement, even
if it only involves the eyes, is a necessary part of experiencing art.
Pattern is the repetition of texture, forms, colors, or other design elements. Such recurrence of visual elements helps
to unify the artwork and creates a sense of structure. Pattern, if used in a regular and planned way, may also
emphasize the main idea. If used in an unplanned or random way, it can add a sense of energy and provide a variation
on a theme that is unexpected and exciting.
Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Students will be given approximately 100 toothpicks (pre-counted in a zip lock bag) Students 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. - construct as many modular units as possible with 100 toothpicks
Make some thumbnail sketches of sculpture plan using unit.
The student will then create as many units as possible using all the toothpicks. It should be noted that construction of the
units couldn’t be done quickly. The wood glue will take approximately 30 minutes to dry unless using hot glue.
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 a piece of wood or s Styrofoam. Plaster wrap will be added to the Styrofoam to make
the base sturdier and to keep the Styrofoam from disintegrating when spray-painted.
Once the sculpture is created and the Styrofoam base has been plaster wrapped with entire sculpture will be spraypainted all black, white or red. More than one coat may be needed to completely cover the sculpture.
Critique finished work. Discuss what is successful with each work.
Student Name:
Assessment Rubric for Linear Toothpick Sculpture
Date Completed:
Average
6-5-4
Needs
Improveme
nt
3-2-1-0
Planning may have
included a thumbnail
sketch to help foresee
potential problems.
Some consideration
to use of element of
line, space,
movement & pattern.
Lack of
planning
resulted in
problems & no
real sense of
direction to
effectively use
the space.
Not all units are
uniform in size &/or
constructed exactly
the same
Units are not
uniform in size
or
construction.
Design shows good
evidence of
understanding how to
use elements.
Sculpture has solid
construction & is well
balanced.
Design shows some
evidence of
understanding how to
use elements.
Sculpture could be
better balanced.
Structure is not
balanced or
solid. Lacks
movement or
good use of
space & line.
Effort
Took time to fully
develop idea & carried
it through to the
completion of the
project. Made good use
of class time. Spent
time outside of class
developing &
expanding on idea.
Took time to develop
idea & carried it
through to the
completion of the
project. Made good
use of class time.
Came up with an idea
& put it together as
best as could to look
complete.
Came up with
an idea & put
it together to
be done. May
or may not
look complete.
Craftsmanship
Neat, clean & complete.
Skillful use of the art
tools & media.
Aesthetically pleasing
Neat, clean &
complete. Skillful use
of the art tools &
media.
Mostly neat & clean,
a few glue strings to
clean up. Good use of
the art tools & media.
Could be
neater. Glue
distracts from
overall
appearance.
Criteria
Excellent
10-9
Good
8-7
Planning
Planning included 2-3
thumbnail sketches to
help foresee & work out
a valid solutions for
potential problems, &
give consideration to
use of element of line,
space, movement &
pattern.
Planning included 1-2
thumbnail sketches to
help foresee & work
out solutions for
potential problems, &
give consideration to
use of element of line,
space, movement &
pattern.
Each unit is uniform in
size but not all are
constructed exactly the
same
Construction Each unit is uniform in
size & constructed
of modular
exactly the same.
units
Sculpture
design and
construction
Total: 50
x 2 = 100
(possible
points)
Design demonstrates an
understanding of
movement & repetition,
along with good use of
negative space, and
line. Solid construction
& well balanced.
Aesthetically pleasing.
G
r
a
d
e
:
Teacher's Comments: (on back)
Student Comments:
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