Bend and twist the wire to create your 3-D form. Secure all loose ends by twisting and crimping the wire.
An armature is one of the most basic and essential skills in sculpture.
What is an armature?
An armature is the skeletal structure inside a sculpture which gives the final form support and strength.
The armature can be made of wood, rebar, wire, pipes, straw, or found objects. Over this support can be placed clay, plaster, concrete, paper mache, or other mixed-media which on its own would not have the strength to stand up on its own.
The Courtyard Scuptures made for the Cape Elizabeth Middle School courtyard, are large and must be made durable
to live outside in all weather conditions. In this scenario, we use 3/8" rebar and heavy wire mesh as its armature.
This armature is placed into a concrete base.
For smaller sculptures or maquettes, bendable wire and light contouring wire mesh is used. Wood is used as a base.
This is where we will begin to learn the basic of armature building.
MATERIALS: Aluminum wire (1/4", 1/8", 11, 16, and 18 gauge) Other types of wire can be used such as copper,
galvanized, or annealed black / "tie" wire. Fine wire "contour" mesh. Wood block for base.
TOOLS: Wire cutters, pliers, drill & bits.
IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION NOTES:
It is very important that the armature is built to be strong and rigid. The armature must be able to stand up under the weight of the surface material. You need to think like an architectual engineer.
All joints must be secure and stable so there is no movement when applying the surface material. This is accomplished by crimping the wire tightly to the adjoining wire. A spot of hot glue will help solidify the joint.
The armature only needs to reflect the basic shape of your final sculpture. Remember, this inner skeleton will be covered over with mesh and surface material. The armature does not need to be pretty, only strong and rigid.
The armature needs to be smaller than the final sculpture. You must allow for the building up of the surface material. If you make the armature the exact size of your final sculpture, the design will be lost when you add the surface material.
HANDS-ON PROCESS:
Start with a sketch or an idea in your head. The sketch should be the exact size or to-scale of your final sculpture.
If you are working from your mind's eye, have a clear picture of your design. As you work, your ideas may shift to
accomodate the the bending wire. Listen and follow the creative process.
Estimate the amount of wire you will need. Start shaping the wire with your hands to follow your design. Think of
this process as drawing in space, using the wire as your "pencil line".
Remember to work in 3-D. If your design is a spherical shape, make a round form, not just a flat circle. As you
work, keep turning the form around and look at it from all angles. Sculpture is to be viewed "in the round".
Bend and twist the wire to create your 3-D form.
Secure all loose ends by twisting and crimping the wire.
Next, you will want to mount the wire form to a wood base.
Depending on your form, there are several different methods of securing the wire to a base:
Notice the "staples" laying on the wood base.
These are electrical wire staples and work well
to hold down wire that lies flat on the wood base.
Mark where the staples will go.
Pre-drill a hole just slightly smaller that the
shank of the staple.
If the hole is too big, you will have to glue
the staple in place.
Hammer the staples in securely.
As you bend and shape the wire, think of the process
as "drawing in space".
Note the thicker wire coming up from the foot and
moving up throughthe entire armature.
This adds rigidity to the framework.
Another view of this stabilizing wire
that attaches at the ankle, the back of the knee, thigh
hip and on up
.
Detail of the binding.
Make sure the wire is wound tight
and will hold the two pieces rigid.
This shows how the armature is fastened into the base.
A post has been bonded to the armature by using an epoxy
putty.
A hole was drilled into the wood base the same size as the post.
The post can be secured with glue if neccessary.
Here, the basic form is being shaped.
More wire is added to build up a fullness
around the chest and hips.
Remember, you want the armature to be smaller
than the final sculpture in order to allow for the wire mesh
and surface material.
This is the back side of the armature.
Wire mesh is being added to make the form more round.
Do you see the shiny material around the buttocks and left leg?
You can use aluminum foil as a way of building out the form.
Then cover the foil with mesh.
Here, the fully meshed figure has been placed in position
on the "rock".
Small electrical staples are used to fasten the feet
to the wood base.
All the parts of this sculpture have been put in place.
Here, carpet tacks are being used to fasten the dog to the wood base.
Again, pre-drilling holes for the tacks makes for easier hammering.
Almost any material can be placed over the wire armature.
We will be using a pre-mixed paper mache pulp.
Mixing: in a small container, mix one part cold water to one part pulp. Mix small amounts at a time so that the
mixture doesn't set up before you have a chance to use it all up. Suggested measurement is 4 Tablespoons of pulp
to 4 Tablespoons of cold water.
Applying mixture:
Always begin applying the surface mixture from the bottom up, otherwise your sculpture will become top heavy and bend the lower wires! Best to use a pallet knife to push the pulp mixure into the wire mesh. Try to avoid using your
fingers in applying the pulp. You can use your finger, dipped in water, to smooth the semi-hardening surface.
Mixing second batch: This is important! YOU MUST CLEAN OUT YOUR CONTAINER COMPLETELY
before mixing a new batch of pulp. Old material left in a container will set off a hardening reaction to the new mixture and it will set up too fast and will be wasted.
CLEAN UP:
DO NOT CLEAN TOOLS OR HANDS IN THE SINKS. THE PULP MIXTURE WILL CLOG DRAINS!
Use the provided buckets.
It is essential to clean containers, pallet knives, table tops and floor. Once this material dries, it will be there for a long time! Put all clean tools back, ready for the next class.
This movie shows the step-by-step process of building a wire armature, securing it to a base, adding the wire mesh, and applying the paper pulp mache to the form.
"Spin" is a series of photos put together as a movie. The sequence of shots demonstrate two aspects of an armature:
A. The process of layering a wire armature with wire mesh and the application of the paper mache pulp surface
material.
B. The "spinning" illustrates the importance of seeing a form from all perspectives. Pay attention to the positive and negative shapes that make up the design of this figurative piece.