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7th Grade Fantasy Castles Project
How do artists create complex structures from simple forms?
Why is value important in making something look 3D?
What is perspective?
How do artists create the illusion of space?
For this project, the idea was to have students learn how to use simple shapes to construct complex structures like castles and cathedrals while utilizing technology that some architects use today to create models of future buildings.
There were 3 parts to this lesson:
Design the castle using a program called Tinkercad
Analyze how light and shadow are reflected on objects and more complex forms.
Create a “realistic” fantasy world that shows space, value, and form.

Students create their 3D models for their Castle Designs using Tinkercad.com

Students' designs are printed using the classroom 3D printers
Students use spot lights to create dramatic light sources for their final drawings.
Students draw their castles and include shadows
Students analyze light sources within their drawing using still lives they created.

A finished Castle drawing including foreground, middle-ground, and a background along with their castle design and a light source showing value.