| Motivation/Instruction:
Talk about the purposes of leaves
- introduce some of the science terms. What do leaves do for the
trees? Talk about symmetry in nature - design in nature (get
help from your science teachers if necessary)
Present some examples of ceramic
slab vessels and sculptures (See Ceramics
Links page for artists)
Demonstrate wedging clay -
rolling out - pressing in leaf - cutting with tool --smoothing
edges-- and pressing gently into Styrofoam bowl (Jeryl had slabs
prepared ahead of time for students)
Procedures:
Let students choose leaves
( I provided several different types), discuss textures and
shape of leaves, determine if symmetry is present. Distribute
slab of clay to each student, they roll out the slab to the size
needed (use guide sticks to insure even thickness) and press
their leaf firmly into the clay. Cut around the leaf with a
craft stick (or clay needle if available) and gently smooth cut
edges with water/slip. Carefully lift the leaf and clay into a
bowl, gently pressing it into the shape of the bowl.
Remember to keep the leaf on the clay so that while you are
pressing the leaf into the bowl you are also pressing the
texture into the leaf. When the clay is secure in the
Styrofoam bowl the real leaf should be peeled off and discarded
(leave may be left on the clay as it will burn off in the kiln).
I had the students write their names on the bottom of the
Styrofoam bowl before we started the project and then I
inscribed their names on the bottom of the clay when I was able
to lift it from the bowl on the following day. When I lifted the
clay from the bowls the shape of the clay leaf remained in a
bowl shape. After drying and firing the students finished with a
glaze choosing from "leaf " colors like yellow,
orange, red, brown, green. Some students layered the glazes with
very interesting results. I had several colorful photographs
(from calendars) of autumn foliage hanging on the wall near the
glazing table to inspire them. This project is one where every
child is successful and the final product is a great surprise to
the children as the glazes mix. Another art teacher told me she
has done a similar project using pumpkin leaves which produce
much larger bowls. The teachers at my school have requested an
art in-service next fall so they can make bowls of their own. See
more at Jeryl's School Art Site: LaFrance Elementary
Additional notes:
Larger bowls could be made by
pressing (and gently rolling in) various leaves -- then cutting
out a circular or irregular shape. Carefully smooth cut edge.
Drape the clay over a bowl or plaster hump (leaving the leaves
in the clay). Scribe name on bottom of bowls. Allow to dry to
leather hard stage and remove from hump. Bisque fire when bone
dry. Stain leaf textures with under glazes then coat with clear
glaze.
Alternate Lesson Idea - Leaves
Plaque
Denise Pannell found this lesson
idea on United Art Education site. Leaves Plaque made with air
dry clay (Clay
Leaf Collage). Denise had trouble trying to use firing clay
but found the new Crayola air dry clay worked great. If
you want to use firing clay with leaf molds, you can spray just
a bit a Pam on the mold and the clay will release. You can use
real leaves quite nicely for this type of project (you don't
even have to lift the leaf off the clay - it will burn off in
the kiln). If using real leaves and you want more relief, you
can remove leaves and carve with wire loop tools.
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