Architecture Relief Tile

 

Architecture Relief Tiles

7th Grade

 

This was a great project to show texture and depth. We created an Architectural relief tile to show depth but add texture from what they saw in their picture. I wanted to spark interest in the students about art and how art can be used as a potential job in their futures.

Material:

·  Computer Lab

·  Clay

·  Glaze

·  Clay tools

First thing I made was a power point talking about Architecture throughout the years. I started out with the Stone Age and worked my way up. Be careful of the attention span, which is why I had some kids read from the slide, keep them interested. I also picked some really cool things and the ages of some building sparked some interested.

Once we went over the job and art of Architecture, I then had them take a lap top (you might need to go to a computer lab) and search Architecture. I wanted them to look at different cultures more. I asked to try looking up cultures that are close to you. I gave them an example that I am Irish and German so I googled Irish or Celtic Architecture and German Architecture.

 
 

When they are googling this you need to tell them that they need to have a picture that has good Mega Pixels. Now I am not a huge computer person but when they are transferring pictures to a slab of clay the clearer the picture the better. When they find the picture they want. Copy the picture by right clicking the picture. Go to Microsoft Word, paste the picture in there. Now this depend on what size slab you would like to use and then you can change the measurement in Microsoft word.

Once they print out the picture they will then grid the picture and the slab of clay. They then will start transferring the picture to the clay. They need to follow the boxes. Some might need to number them to keep it organized. When they have finished with line they will then start adding depth. Now you might want to review forground, mid ground, and background with them. They will use carving tools for it. I also wanted textures. I told them they needed atleast 2 textures!

When done then I fired the slabs. Gave it back had them glaze and then fired again. I had them displayed on the table. We did a walk around and did a little art criticize to some pieces. I asked who showed more depth and texture. Who showed alot of lines? It was nice to ask each one which one they like. I like to get everyone in the conversation. I know I was shy in school but I wished I had someone encourage me to talk so that is what I do alot. Cant help it!

Dale Chihuly Abstract Sculpture

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Dale Chihuly Abstract Sculpture

6th Grade

 

This was soooooo much fun! But a huge warning! This is A LOT OF WORK FOR YOURSELF!!! Is it worth it? Yes! Okay so I did this project with 6th graders. I love Dale Chihuly and kids are so interested in his works especial young kids         

 

Material:

• 16 oz Water Bottles
• Aluminum Foil
• Multi Color Tissue paper
• Water down glue
• Paint brushes
• Carpet roll
• Wooden stand                                                                                                

 

 

First thing we did was talk about the artist Dale Chihuly. I showed them a great video on the artist and how he works. Now this was a great conversation we had which can be art aestics. Do you believe he should sign his name to his work when he has other people make his stuff and put it together? When we watched this video they were fascinated on how glass blowing happened but they were surprised that he had all these people make the pieces and the artist stood there and just guided them. Very interesting what they said, a good conversation for older students!

After we talked about the artist we also went over abstract art and abstract shapes. How the artist uses many different abstract shapes in his pieces.

Now for plastic bottles, that is the base of their artwork and trying to find over 100 plastic bottles was a pain! During lunch I stood by the recycle can and had to collect the bottles that way. I just have to tell you...bad idea! I got so sticky and it smelled BAD!!! A helpful hint, if you want to do this please plan for it! Tell the students to start saving their plastic bottles and have THEM wash out the bottles at home. I can still smell the stink of the juice bottles...ugh. I would say plan this project about a week out...let the kids bring in enough bottles.

Once you have the bottles, I had each student make 3 abstract shapes. First I gave them tin foil, now I did this during my prep time, about 9-10 sheets of tin foil. They may need more. Now I used A LOT of tin foil so I recommend go to BJ's or Costco's and buy a large tin foil. It saves you money and aggravation when you run out with those small ones. Now the kids had to rape the bottles first with tin foil. DO NO COVER THE LID! When they had the bottle rap then they could start building the abstract shape on top. This started to get difficult for some. HELPFUL HINT: Demonstrate this to them as well, but when building on the bottle please tell them not to squeeze the tin foil tight because it will become fragile and with break. Light pinch with your hands. Some might need tap to keep it together but don’t worry when they get the tissue paper on it will stick.

 

 

 

Now just getting the shapes of the bottles took one class. Once they get their shapes then we started to put the tissue paper on. This is where it gets messy! They will have to learn their hands will be sticky and it will become difficult to keep the tissue paper on when their hands stick to it so they can use plastic spoons or forks. This will help. Not I told them to start at the top and work their way down to the lid. SENSORY ISSUES: If you have student who doesn’t like the feel of the glue or tissue paper they can actually use paint. It actually looks nice!

 

Now for drying... This is why you have to get your stand and carpet roll together first. I built a stand and then put a carpet roll over top of the stand. I drilled holes in the roll and stuck in wooden dowels. When the students are done with their piece and it is still wet they put it on the dowel to dry. When students are finishing up I have them start painting the stands. They had fun working together on that.

Once the stand is done and the pieces are done I put the bottles on the dowels and BAM! I put them in the hallway of the school and man...look at how cool the abstract shapes make with the shadows on the floor! Soo cool!

 

I suggest that you put it in a place where kids hands don’t get to it.

Self Portrait Slabs

Self Portrait Slabs

8th Grade 

 

 

This was a project I did while student teaching. The students had a real fun time. They had to do a portrait of some sorts and I was tired of drawing and I am a sculpting major so I said CLAY! Also I wanted to make it look different then having them draw front view so I decided let talk about side views.

 

 
 

I made a power point that just briefly went over portrait artist (Picasso, Van Gogh, etc). Then I asked them where do you find side view portraits at? A funny thing is they were listing things that I didn’t even know! You can find side view shots on coins, mug shots, etc.

Starting out, I took each students picture asking them they can smile or do a funny face. I then enlarge the picture to an 8x10. I then rolled ALOT ALOT ALOT of clay and had a template of an 8x10 and cut out about a million it felt like 8x10 slabs. Then when it came to the day we talked about gridding. This really is the best thing for beginning drawers. So I showed them by demonstrating how to grid your picture and then coping that same measurement with the slab.

That took the class to just grid and talk about how the grids worked. The next time we talked about how the shape of our face is different from the front view shot. Really need to talk about the eyes, they seemed to not really comprehend that your eyes look more like triangle then almonds or circles.
 

When they started to sketch in the clay, I really had to keep explain that they need to follow what is in the box in the picture and apply the same lines in the same box on the clay. They started to get the hang of it. Some needed help but that is what I am there for!
 

Now depth was very difficult. I wanted the portrait to have some dimension to it so I had them carve their picture.HELPFUL HINT: I bought dollar store barbies and rip their heads off, I promise this is not a sick thing. It really did help them notice that the shape and depth of the face and how it looks rather than looking in a mirror. Just be careful they dont decide to draw on the heads. I had one kid draw a mustache on one. He then told me after he did it he regretted not giving him a goatee. Yaa it was actually funny but I had to not laugh..tough lol. STRESS to them that they do not need to dig at it or go all the way down, it will cause a hole and it will make their peice weak when fired. They really need to understand how part of your face sinks down.

Once they had the face on the clay they then had to smooth the grid lines out and cut out the outline of their head. Then I took over, I bisque fired them after a couple days of drying. They then applied glaze on their portrait and then wiped it off. This allowed the glazed to get into the lines bringing out the portrait. I then fired them again and BAM!!!