These sketches serve to develop the observational drawing skill levels and increase visual awareness of the chosen subject. With the awareness of an actual structure the artist can then use this information to distort or exaggerate the form in expressive ways. Students are encouraged to create fanciful, whimsical sculptures based on the structure of birds. Students begin the construction process using a compass or an awl to puncture the aluminum can before regular classroom scissors are used for cutting shapes. Students think in terms of body parts and how they will be cut, shaped, and eventually joined together.
Coat hangers are perfect for body armatures, wings, and legs.
Some coat hangers are thinner and therefore easier to cut. Scissors are used to cut the flat aluminum which is used for the feathers and other body parts. Wooden sculpture tools can be used to manipulate the individual aluminum shapes as in a repouss process. This relief process is accomplished using a pad of newspaper so that the metal surface gives, resulting in a low relief texture for the feathers. Fine wire and wire cutters are used to connect feathers to wings and wings to bodies.