What are the 3-D cubes/spheres/cones called that are used for art classes? Do they even have a name?

Question

I'm trying to find a stock picture of them for art class, it's kinda hard especially since I don't know what they're called (or even if they have a name).

By the way, you'll probably wonder that since I'm in art class, why would I need photos of them when I could just use the real thing (or maybe you didn't, but either way). It's because that- sadly- my school doesn't see art as a priority of any sort, so I guess the budget wasn't enough.

Answer 1

Maybe geometric models or props.

You can buy styrofoam balls and cones at Michaels, or any other craft store, or a child's play ball would do. You can make a pretty good cube out of foam core and low melt hot glue...it's a good exercise in measuring, cutting, fitting and glueing.

If you just need photos, try a Walter Foster How To Draw book...they are the oversized, paperbound books at the art or craft store, and they are quite inexpensive...lots of useful info in them. The problem with looking at a photo of these models is that you are seeing someone else's work. The real thing is better, because it requires that you draw it yourself.

Answer 2

Laura,
They are just exactly what you called them: cones, spheres, and cubes. They are used to teach how to draw. Since learning to draw is learning to see, we first learn how to draw the basic forms. Next we learn to find those basic forms in the more complex forms we want to draw.

For example, when drawing a portrait, the eye is an elongated diamond, or two cones. Under the eye, in older people, is a triangle. You can break almost anything you draw into those basic forms, so they are essential to learning to draw.

Might I suggest you look around for those forms in other places. Bring home the lesson of why those are almost universally used in beginning drawing classes, yet change it enough to make your teaching fresh.

http://www.wishihadthat.com/index.asp?PageAction= to see some great spheres, and a few long cubes if you're looking.

http://www.cubefigures.com for some silly cubes

http://www.artbeads.com/cones.html for cone beads

what can you find to make this even more interesting for your class?