Gaudí Sun Sculptures
An ode to the sun, with colour popping against a dark base.
The Set Up
This one is inspired by my time in Barcelona and the way Parc Güell seems to glow in the sun. I wanted a sculpture that felt like an ode to warmth and sparkle, but still totally open ended.
We start with cardboard yarn cones. We source ours from our local reverse art truck and they are such a brilliant base for sculptures. They are sturdy, lightweight, and instantly feel like something you can transform.
The trick that makes this version feel really Gaudí to me is using a dark plasticine base. Black is my favourite because it makes every colour pop, but truly, any deep colour works.
Warm the plasticine first. For little hands, this can be the hardest step, so I like to have it sliced into smaller chunks and ready to squish. Once it softens, it spreads beautifully.
The Making
Cover the cone in plasticine, aiming for around 2cm thickness so tiles and sequins can press in securely. Then invite artists to choose their pieces and design however they like. Patterns, spirals, colour bands, totally random bursts, minimal, maximal, it all works.
Once the cone feels finished to the artist, add the sun backing. Cut a simple sun shape from black cardboard, then collage on paper squares like tiny mosaic tiles. A gold circle or anything shiny for the centre helps bring the motif together, but it’s optional.
Hot glue the cone onto a wooden base shape (circles and hexagons work so well). Add paint stick or oil pastel details if you like, especially around the base.
Variations
Try a limited palette, all warm tones, all blues, all metallics.
Swap plasticine for air dry clay if you want a longer drying process, but plasticine is lovely because it stays workable.
Offer a mix of tiny and oversized tiles so the artists can play with scale.
Materials
• Cardboard yarn cones
• Plasticine (black or another dark base colour)
• Tiles and sequins in varied sizes
• Black cardboard (sun shape)
• Paper squares or cut paper shapes for collage
• Gold circle, gold contact paper, or any shiny scraps
• Wooden base shapes
• Hot glue gun
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Gaudí Sun Sculptures
An ode to the sun, with colour popping against a dark base.
Bookmark
Sculpture
The Set Up
This one is inspired by my time in Barcelona and the way Parc Güell seems to glow in the sun. I wanted a sculpture that felt like an ode to warmth and sparkle, but still totally open ended.
We start with cardboard yarn cones. We source ours from our local reverse art truck and they are such a brilliant base for sculptures. They are sturdy, lightweight, and instantly feel like something you can transform.
The trick that makes this version feel really Gaudí to me is using a dark plasticine base. Black is my favourite because it makes every colour pop, but truly, any deep colour works.
Warm the plasticine first. For little hands, this can be the hardest step, so I like to have it sliced into smaller chunks and ready to squish. Once it softens, it spreads beautifully.
The Making
Cover the cone in plasticine, aiming for around 2cm thickness so tiles and sequins can press in securely. Then invite artists to choose their pieces and design however they like. Patterns, spirals, colour bands, totally random bursts, minimal, maximal, it all works.
Once the cone feels finished to the artist, add the sun backing. Cut a simple sun shape from black cardboard, then collage on paper squares like tiny mosaic tiles. A gold circle or anything shiny for the centre helps bring the motif together, but it’s optional.
Hot glue the cone onto a wooden base shape (circles and hexagons work so well). Add paint stick or oil pastel details if you like, especially around the base.
Variations
Try a limited palette, all warm tones, all blues, all metallics.
Swap plasticine for air dry clay if you want a longer drying process, but plasticine is lovely because it stays workable.
Offer a mix of tiny and oversized tiles so the artists can play with scale.
Materials
• Cardboard yarn cones
• Plasticine (black or another dark base colour)
• Tiles and sequins in varied sizes
• Black cardboard (sun shape)
• Paper squares or cut paper shapes for collage
• Gold circle, gold contact paper, or any shiny scraps
• Wooden base shapes
• Hot glue gun
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Thoughts?
Would love to hear if youv'e tried this or have any ideas on how to make it even better!
