Elise Bason Final Major

I feel that the textures on this spine sculpture are very successful as they are similar to that of the bones that I have studied from life and create a sense of contrast between the areas of shadow and highlighted bone. I feel that the dry brush application technique was a successful choice as it creates an almost fossilised feel to the sculpture which I am very inspired by as I had referenced tones of fossilised and aged bones when mixing tones to incorporate within the sculpture. The choice to use mod-roc as a sculptural material was quite successful as the already textured properties of the mod-roc added layers of depth and dimension to the piece which when paired with the dry brush technique created an interesting surface for the viewer. I feel that the scale of the sculpture is successful as I am normally quite content within my comfort zone of small scale pieces, so I was able to explore new sculptural mediums within my final major project. However when the spine sculpture i...

 Here is the progress of the ribcage element of the spine and ribcage sculpture. Like with the spine sculpture, I have used a bamboo cane as opposed to the wire armatures that I had originally planned as they are much sturdier and offer more support for the structure. I have used newspaper and masking tape to sculpt the ribs and a separate structure for the sternum and at this point in the sculpting process, I am quite happy with the strength of the structure and the form of the ribcage as a whole. Here I have used a layer of burnt umber acrylic paint as the base layer for the spine sculpture and then added lighter brown tones using the dry brush technique whilst also incorporating white and yellow ochre tones as highlights. I feel that this technique is quite successful as it creates a sense of a rough texture similar to those which I have studied from life and I feel that the 'stippled' texture of the mod-roc also contributes to this effect. Although as the paint had dried, ...

Within these pencil studies I have explored the form of the vertebrae within a variety of unique and interesting poses that was able to create through my own researched knowledge of vertebrae alongside the anatomical works of Leonardo Da Vinci. From these studies, I feel that I can better understand the form of the vertebrae and can apply this understanding within my spine sculpture. I have used the hatching technique to create a sense of dimension and subtle textures and I feel that these studies were quite successful in this aspect as the texture created is similar to that of the textures that I have studied on bones/vertebrae from life. For these ink experiments I have focused on creating a sense of form using only tone. I feel these studies were quite successful as the subject can still be recognised within the experiments and the result is quite interesting to view. I feel that these experiments became somewhat abstract without the use of line to contain the ink tones and...

Here I have compared the measurements for all the vertebrae experiments that I have tested for usage within my spine sculpture. I at first experimented with sculpting the smallest vertebrae as a test for the materials and techniques that I would like to incorporate within my spine sculpture rather than the measurements for the scale of the piece. Although I feel this dry brushed acrylic layering technique is quite successful in terms of texture, I do not feel that the tones are accurate as they are too yellow/white rather than a light brown that I had studied on a human skeleton from life. From this experiment, I feel that I need to further experiment with creating tones that contrast whilst also closer to the tones that I have observed on bones. I had originally planned a very large scale sculpture in which I would incorporate the largest vertebrae (approximately 17x30cm) but due to the lockdown, I have been unable to obtain materials such as mod-roc and acrylic in large quantities so...

Vertebrae ink experiments text: For this experiment I have focused on creating a sense of form and texture within the vertebraes using ink and a dry brush technique. I feel that this experiment was quite successful as it creates a sense of a rough texture similar to that of the bones that I have studied from life. In future experiments, I feel that I may like to experiment with applying a wash of colour over the ink textures to create a sense of contrast and a unique sense of tone. I feel that watercolour may be the most successful material for this as it has a lower density than ink with a water base which should create the effect that I am looking for. I may also experiment with incorporating different styles of lines as the one used in this experiment was very sketchy so I would like to experiment with line widths such as bold or adding a sense of weight to the lines or possibly with no lines at all to compare the differences between styles. For this experiment I have focused on...

George Segal inspiration text: I am very inspired by the sculptural elements of George Segal's work as they are of the scale of life size subjects. Although I am not planning for the sculptural elements of my final piece to be of life size (most likely a scaled up sized spine and ribcage) I am still very interested in the ways in which Segal has suspended/fixed his works into a composition which has inspired me to consider ways in which I will present the sculptural elements of my final major piece. I have chosen to study the works of George Segal in a monochrome scale as I personally find it easier to study the choice of tones considered and implemented within each piece. I feel that it may benefit me to capture a monochrome scale photo of my own sculpture to see how the tones compliment each other and the levels of contrast. I am very inspired by the composition of the sculptural works of George Segal as I am interested in his choices to use both a large toned empty spaced enviro...

Leonardo Da Vinci material studies text: -For these experiments I have used fine liner as I feel that I would be able to incorporate a variety of marks and textures. -I feel that these experiments were quite successful as it creates a sense of form of the spine and ribcage sculpture within my final major piece. -I feel that the use of fine liner creates a similar sense of detail featured within the works of Leonardo Da Vinci -For these experiments I feel that these are not as successful as I wasn't able to create a sense of depth of tone as bold in contrast as I would have liked, especially compared to the fine liner experiments previously. I also feel that the marks created by the biro are not successful as they almost 'blend' together to create a muddy texture that I do not like

*Pencil studies are quite difficult to see as they were light sketches Leonardo Da Vinci studies text: -I am very inspired by the accuracy and detail within Da Vinci's works and I feel that I would like to incorporate this within the illustration piece. -Here I have focused on studying the forms of the spine and rib cage inspired by the works of Leonardo Da Vinci in preparation for the creation of my sculptural piece. I have used marks similar to Da Vinci to create a sense of dimension and texture which I feel that I would like to incorporate within my final major. I feel that these experiments were quite successful in terms of exploring the forms of bones and the sense of texture created through marks. -I have decided on the composition of these pages inspired by the way in which Da Vinci composes his sketchbook pages as I quite like the thoughtful choices made in the layout. -If I was to explore Da Vinci's work again, I feel that I would like to use a similar material such as...

Here I have experimented with the techniques that I would like to incorporate in my final major. I chose to create a test vertebrae following the measurements that I had planned. I used a newspaper base in which I layered mod-roc to create natural bumps on the surface of the vertebrae that I have studied from life. After the mod-roc had dried, I applied a base layer of a dark brown acrylic paint. Using a dry brush technique, I added texture using  beige/light brown tone in which I based on the tones that I observed from life on a human skeleton. I feel that this technique was quite successful in creating natural tones and textures that create a sense of aging and fragility (almost fossil like) in which I wanted to capture within this spine and ribcage sculpture. I feel that I would like to use these tones within my final piece bit I feel that incorporating a variety of tones may create a greater sense of realism with the subtle graduations in tone alongside the textures created wit...

Vertebrae experiments text: Here I have experimented with creating a sample vertebrae following the measurements and scale that I had planned for. I decided upon a 160 x 130 cm measurement as this took into account the distance between the walls of the corner space I have chosen to present my final major piece whilst not seeming out of place surrounded by a large white tone environment. Although as I am unable to enter the studio at this time due to quarantine, I have also chosen and measured a corner wall within my house in case we do not return to college so that I could present the final major piece there instead. For the process of creating each vertebrae I have sculpted a variety of interesting shapes that I have studied from human bones and throughout my research of skeletons using newspaper. I decided to loosely secure these shapes with masking tape to allow the newspaper to became slightly unravelled to create a sense of a natural form within the vertebrae.   I feel t...

Materials and other problems text: At this point in the project I am beginning to come across problems caused by the quarantine that hinder progress towards my final major outcome. For example, I do not feel that I will have enough newspaper to create the spine and ribcage sculpture of my final major to the size that I had planned for as I had chosen a large 160 x 130 cm and after creating the practice structures, I felt that I have used quite a lot of sheets (approximately ten - eleven) per vertebrae and alongside a total of sixteen vertebrae, I do not feel that all of the vertebrae would be sculpted to the standard that I would like. To solve this problem I may need to reconsider the measurements and scale of my final major piece in response to the lack of availability of resources during the quarantine. I feel that I could also solve this problem through experimenting with a variety of other sculptural materials such as clay but I feel I would come across the same problem especial...

Armature experiments text: Here I have experimented with creating a scaled down wire armature that I plan to use as a base structure for the spine and ribcage sculpture. Although I have created the frame with the intent of building the sculpture as one piece, I am now debating sculpting each rib and vertebrae separately and then assembling the piece after each component is completed. I have decided to do this as due to the quarantine I am unable to enter the studio , so I had to alter my plans for the final major piece. I had at first planned to build the structure directly on the area I had chosen to ensure that the measurements and scale could easily be adjusted but as I cannot work in this area currently, I also need to take into consideration that I may have to start creating the sculpture at home in which I would need to transport the piece into the studio. In this case I feel that multiple separate pieces would be a wiser choice, however I would not know how the piece would l...

Artist research George Segal text: I have chosen to study the works of George Segal as I am very inspired by the life size scale of his sculpture pieces. I feel that I would like to incorporate Segal's use of mod-roc and plaster materials within the sculptural part of my final major piece as I feel that these materials would create a textured base for the bone elements in preparation for the application of textured marks. Unlike Segal, I am planning to apply a layer of acrylic paint to my sculpture to create a sense of texture and variations of tone similar to those that I have studied from life. Segal's use of orthopaedic bandages dipped in plaster technique relates to my own personal spinal surgery and title of my project 'Orthopaedic Cage', so I feel that I may experiment with bandages in future ideas. I am particularly inspired by Segal's 'The Asian Picnic' as the piece captures a sense of life within an environment which is further reinforced by the use...

I have chosen to study the works of  Leonardo Da Vinci as I am very inspired by the intricacy and accuracy of his anatomy studies. I feel that I would like to incorporate the use of ink within the illustration part of my final major as I have a preference for this material and it would solidify links to Leonardo Da Vinci as one of my chosen artists. I would also like to incorporate Da Vinci's use of marks such as cross-hatching and hatching exemplified especially within 'Anatomy Torso and Arms' as I am very interested in the textures created through the use  of these marks, and I feel that they are similar to that of the textures of bones that I have studied from life. After researching Da Vinci's works, I am leaning towards using a skeleton (or a specific part of a skeleton) as the subject of my illustration piece within my final major to strengthen personal links to my own spine and surgery as well as links to my chosen artists. However, I am unsure whether I would...

Improvised primary source text: Due to quarantine, I am unable to conduct any trips or visits to obtain primary images or influences so I have compromised and used a Halloween decoration to photograph. Although not the most accurate representation of a human skeleton, I feel that the decoration would be helpful to obtain photos of the bones in positions that bones in artist's work wouldn't normally be featured in such as inside the ribcage. This could create opportunities for me to further my understanding of the bone structures and to record and observe interesting and unique anatomical studies. However, as this decoration is not anatomically correct I may have to use it as a reference for the form and positioning of the bones and use artist references such as Leonardo Da Vinci to fill in any inaccurate areas. Depending on when the quarantine is lifted, I feel that I would like to visit museums to observe fossils to compare fossilised bones to that of the human skeleton I was ...

Bone observations from life text: Here I have photographed human spines and ribcages from life to study the tones, form and textures in preparation for creating my own spine and ribcage for my final major piece. I have decided that I would like to combine elements of sculpture as a wall mounted stand for an illustration piece. I feel that this idea would be more interesting for a viewer to view compared to a simple illustration mounted on a wall. From studying these textures, I feel that I would like to use mod-roc as I feel the rough, porous properties of the mod-roc are similar to the textures I have observed on bones from life. I am considering sculpting each spine vertebrae individually but I feel that this may cause issues with the stability and strength of the piece, so I feel that I may sculpt the spine as a whole shape and then add further details of each vertebrae after the structure is sturdy. I feel that if I were to attach the wire armature to the wall before sculpting, thi...

Choice of area discussion text: Here I have photographed various areas that I feel I would like to use for my final major piece. I am leaning more towards a corner area as I think that the bone structure would have more support and strength across two walls, I also feel that the form of the ribcage design would be accentuated by the sharp angle of the walls which would draw the viewer's eye during the final show. I at first thought that I could use the corner structure of my own space in the studio to display the piece but the positioning of the ceiling lights in the room illuminate the area in a way which I do not feel would work with the atmosphere that I would like to create for the bone structure. So instead I have chosen a corner which has natural light and a large surrounding area of  'negative' space so that the piece will contrast the area in which it is displayed within. If possible I would also like to present my piece with others' work that has a similar a...

Plan for final major sculpture 1 text: -Spine vertebrae cross-section = newspaper, wire and mod-roc materials -Side view vertebrae = Texture layer of mod-roc (also for stability), transverse process attached separately (no wire) -Possible stacking technique for each vertebrae -May have to settle for a straight spine for a stronger structure -Anatomically accurate bend in spine (would like to incorporate but may need extra support) -Separate construction for easier transportation (10-15 vertebrae approx.) -Hook stand to hold an illustration piece, constructed alongside spine -Measurements take into account subtle variations in length/height caused by mod-roc irregularities First draft measurements: -30 x 160cm total for spine sculpture (changed to 17 x 84cm due to changes where I can not display my final major within the studio) -Hook to display A4 paper (possibly a larger paper size after experimenting)