Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Form

Sculpture is art that occupies real space and is experienced from more than one viewpoint. Moving from two dimensions into three changes how an artist thinks: instead of an illusion of form on a flat surface, the sculptor works with actual mass, volume, weight, and the space around and within the object. This lesson introduces the main sculptural approaches, materials, and considerations.

The two great approaches: subtractive and additive

Traditional sculpture divides into two opposite methods. Subtractive sculpture removes material to reveal a form, as in carving stone or wood. Nothing removed can be put back, so carving demands planning and confidence. Additive sculpture builds a form by adding material, as in modeling with clay or building up plaster. Additive methods are more forgiving