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SEATED CLAY FIGURE – Proportion, Texture, Space

Students use Crayola Air-Dry clay to create a seated figure adding details with watercolour paint.

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SEATED CLAY FIGURE – Proportion, Texture, Space

Supplies:

  • Crayola Air-Dry Clay - White
  • Crayola Watercolour Paints - 24 Count
  • Crayola Paint Brushes
  • Corrugated Cardboard - 15.2 cm x 30.5 cm (6" x 12") - 1 per student
  • Slip
  • Bamboo Skewers - 1 per student
  • Toothbrushes - 1 per several students
  • Small Rolling Pins or Dowels
  • Paper Towels
  • Water Containers
  • Clear Acrylic Varnish (optional)
 

Steps:

1
Step 1
  1. Work on a piece of cardboard or other firm surface.
  2. Make a small ball of clay and flatten it with your fingers and the palm of your hand.
  3. Use a rolling pin or piece of dowel to roll it into a flat shape about 1.5 cm thick - this is called a slab.
2
Step 2
  1. Roll a small ball of clay for the figure to sit on.
3
Step 3
  1. Use a bamboo skewer to scratch lines into the clay where you want to join the clay ball.
  2. This is called scoring the clay.
4
Step 4
  1. Paint slip on top of the score lines.
  2. This is called score and sliptechnique.
  3. Place the clay ball on top of the scored and slipped spot.
  4. Use the flat side of a bamboo skewer or the back of your fingernail to join the edges to the slab.
  5. Smooth the clay with your finger.
  6. Add a small amount of slip if needed.
5
Step 5
  1. Roll a long thin coil of clay for the legs.
  2. As you roll the clay spread your fingers and apply gentle, even pressure to slowly stretch the clay.
6
Step 6
  1. Score and slip the spot where you will join the coil to the clay ball.
  2. Place the coil on the prepared spot.
  3. Use the back of your fingernail to join the edges to the ball.
  4. Smooth the clay with your finger.
7
Step 7
  1. Roll out a thin slab of clay for a skirt.
  2. Use a bamboo skewer to cut it into a skirt shape.
8
Step 8
  1. Use the score and slip technique to attach the skirt on top of the legs.
  2. Roll a small cylinder of clay for the body.
  3. Use the score and slip technique to attach the body to the legs.
  4. Roll a short coil for the arms.
  5. Use the score and slip technique to attach it across the shoulders.
9
Step 9
  1. Roll a small ball for the head.
  2. Make sure the size is in proportion to the body.
  3. Use the score and slip technique to attach the head to the body.
  4. Put some clay into a garlic press and squeeze it out.
  5. Attach it to the head for hair.
    - Thin pieces of clay such as this will probably break off when they dry.
    - If you don’t want this to happen make sure the thin bits are attached to each other or the body.
10
Step 10
  1. Add details to give your figure a unique personality.
  2. Remember to use the score and slip technique every time you attach a piece of clay.
  3. Set the figure aside to dry for 1 week.
11
Step 11
  1. Use watercolour paints to add a few colour details in a variety of places to move the viewer's eye around the sculpture.
  2. Paint the entire sculpture with clear acrylic varnish.

  • Subjects:

    • Language Arts,

    • Mathematics,

    • Visual Arts

  • Grades:

    • Grade 3,

    • Grade 4,

    • Grade 5,

    • Grade 6,

    • Grade 7,

    • Grade 8

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