Serving Art Educators
and Students Since 1994
Submitted by: Linda Kieling, Rosemont Ridge Middle School West Linn, Oregon
UNIT: Relief Sculpture
Lesson: "Oh What a Relief"
Alternate lesson: - Collaboration - "Tiles"
Printmaking Lesson: - Glue Relief with Foil to finish plate
Foil Frame - Altered Book Embellishment - Fine Art Pins by Bunki Kramer.
Instruction:
1. Present the idea of "personal identity - self portrait" - a different kind of self portrait using images and symbolism. Show some examples of different kinds of portraits (such as collections of objects). Discuss objects/works of art (this could be done before or after the art making lesson) - this is for Standards 4 and 5.
2. Demonstrate relief techniques using cardboard (and assorted chosen materials) - and way to cover with foil.
3. Demonstrate texturing with dull pencil and demonstrate antique process.
Art History:
Select some examples of bronze and/or aluminum cast relief sculptures.
Materials:
Newsprint, Poster Board
, paper towels, White Glue
(Elmer's Glue
works), Scissors
, Aluminum Foil, Shoe Polish
,
cardboard for background (recycled corrugated cardboard is perfect), scrap cardboard to create relief, Tag board
, asserted string (optional for relief), interesting textured paper (like doilies and wallpaper - optional), lace (optional), Brushes for glue (optional), dull pencils.
Goal: Students will create a self-portrait in relief that includes images representing their interests. Texture papers (etc) can be used for negative spaces (optional). Create a variety of relief elements.
Brief process description: Students cut shapes for there portrait and their items of interest out of poster board. A layer of paper towel is cut to fit each piece and glued on each piece as well as the cardboard being used as the background (paper towel provides a cushion to receive dull pencil textures).
All of these are then covered with foil. They are tooled with a dull pencil to create patterns, textures, details and areas of interest. The background and pieces are rubbed with shoe polish and allowed to dry. Scrap cardboard is attached to the back of each piece and then glued to the background in a variety of heights.
Examples of cast relief sculptures
Procedures:
1. Brainstorm on list of symbols/objects to represent "self".
2. Make simple sketches on newsprint for composition
3. Transfer shapes to cardboard and cardboard scrap
4. (Optional) Layer shapes with tag board and scraps of cardboard for more relief interest.
5. (Optional) Pad with one layer of paper toweling and glue on foil (Omit this step if layered tag board and cardboard is used for shapes).
6. Smooth on foil - forcing into textures and texture with dull pencil
7. Glue small cardboard scraps to back side to raise up in relief on back board.
8. Glue foil to background board - and assemble shapes. Add any additional textures to negative space.
9. Write a reflective piece on how sculpture represents self.
Artist for Reference: Michael Cellan - a retired art teacher.
Assessment/Rubric (Adapted from Rubric by Marianne Galyk)
Student Comments
National Standards:
Description: Follow the same basic steps above to create these striking non-objective tiles using shapes, pattern and texture. Pre-cut the background cardboard all the save size ahead of time for unity.
Glue Relief Printmaking - with foil plate - by Linda Kieling
Preparation: Collect an assortment of music (instrumental only- you can download MP3 music
Instruction:
Procedures:
(To print rubric below, right-click > view image > print) ![]()
Student Comments:
Teacher Comments: Foil Frames - from Bunki Kramer, Los Cerros Middle School Art , Danville, California.
Bunki Kramer done frames with students both with silver tape and with aluminum fold on
tag board frames students cut themselves (poster board or corrugated cardboard could be used). Bunki took Tim Holtz's class and did this same lesson with him using silver tape.
Furnace Foil Tap Frame: Tim Holtz's mirror idea was on DIY web site, you could cut out corrugated cardboard frames (a local frame shop cut mine for me one year - real cheap - I was on a time crunch) - or poster board mats. Students could add card board relief elements to the frame. Burnish on the wide foil tape - clip tape to wrap the edges of cardboard. Brush with India ink to antique (or use thinned Acrylic Paint to stain). These frames could turn their work into a real treasure - framed with silver.
Foil Relief Jewelry - Altered Book Embellishment - from Bunki Kramer
This foil tape/aluminum foil relief might give you some ideas for art show awards. Tips for using in a TAB Choice Classroom
Artist for Reference: Michael Cellan - a retired art teacher |