This lesson will start with the students finding an image of themselves to use as a reference. The image needs to be a portrait and should be at least 9" x 12". Using some stiff board, or a piece of wood, the students will glue their image to this surface. Then, at the two points where the edges of their shoulders or arms leave the frame, they will punch or drill small holes through the image and the board. These holes will be used to fasten the ends of their wire and keep everything in place.
Once two long strands of wire have been fastened, they will bend and manipulate the wire, using pliers and other small hand tools, to follow the lines of the face and chest, depending on how much of their body is in the picture. They will bend wire around the shapes of their eyes, nose, lips, hairline, etc. to basically make a line drawing of their face using wire. There also shouldn't be any cutting of the wire, it should be one continuous line starting from either side of their shoulders and then connect, or touch, somewhere in the piece. While they are doing this, they should also make the wire come out towards the viewer to create form. For example, the nose should be protruding from the two dimensional space so that it can be seen from any angle other than directly in front; as well as with the brow, chin, lips, etc. The idea, however, is to not make these elements protrude to realistic lengths, but only to allow for a three dimensional aspect of the piece.
After the sculpture is completed the wire will be removed and attached to a base, so that the piece will stand upright. This base can be anything from a small block of wood, or stone, to some sort of found object that has meaning to the student. The piece can also be hung on the wall if the student so desires.
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