Submitted by: Deborah Bridges
Unit: Ceramic Sculpture
Project: High Relief Sculpture

Grades: Middle School – High School

Materials needed:
Newsprint -- Clay -- Large burlap or canvas pieces – for working with the slabs
Clay tools -- Large plastic bags -- Glazes (and/or Underglazes) -- Acrylic Paints, brushes, etc.  

Objectives: Students will

• Gain an understanding/appreciation for ancient Greece and roman relief carvings. Understand reasons/purposes for the carvings. Recognize common themes.

• Gain an appreciation for Renaissance terra cotta relief sculptures - compare/contrast with ancient Greece and Roman works.

• Create a relief plaque with a personal theme

• Create a relief plaque with additive and subtractive sculpture techniques.

• Demonstrate skill and craftsmanship in working with clay

• Select a decorating technique that will enhance sculpture - from several choices

Instruction/ Motivation:

1. Present a variety of ancient Greek and Roman relief carvings (via Internet, PowerPoint, prints, and/or books).

2. Compare with Renaissance terra cotta.

3. Demonstrate/review additive and subtractive techniques

4. After firing - present a variety of decorating techniques (ceramic stains, underglazes/glazes, acrylic, bronze/metallic patina)

Procedure:

1. Look at relief sculpture using Greek and Roman artifacts.  Discuss the characteristics of high relief.  Develop preliminary sketches on newsprint for your project.  Must be original, but you may look at photos or other resources for ideas.
2. Build a large, 2/3” thick slab of clay—about 20” x 25” minimum.  Choose a freeform or geometric shape that works best with your idea.  Hand build on the cloth.  For easy moving place the cloth onto a drawing board or heavy cardboard.  Daily, test to see that the clay can be lifted from the cloth/board. (size of kiln and amount of time for sculpting and drying may determine the size you have students make slabs)
3. Draw your design into the smooth clay surface.
4. Decide what needs to be cut away or built up.  Using clay tools, carve away the areas that you want recessed.  This will give an illusion of depth or distance.  Do this over the entire composition so you visualize the 3-D effect.  Begin to build up form, texture, space—what needs to be raised.  Use the correct techniques so that air is not trapped in the clay!
5. Carefully, mold and sculpt your image until you are happy with the 3-D relief.  Remember variety in your depth creates visual interest.  If clay begins to dry, wet it with water using your fingers.
6. Add textures to surfaces—examples: fur, bark, cloth, etc.
7. Do not forget the edge—smooth or trim to give it a finished look.
8. Carve your name somewhere. Make sure it can be lifted from cloth/board. Allow to dry.
9. After firing, choose glazing or painting to complete your relief.   Remember to use correct techniques for applying these media.

NOTES:

Alternate Lesson from Amaco: http://www.amaco.com/pdfs/Lesson15.pdf

Alternate Lesson Idea - Postcards in Clay - from Debra Katcoff

click image for larger view

Postcards in Clay:

Students brainstorm about their favorite places, then do sketches from
several angles.  It can be an indoors or an outdoor space, real or
imaginary.  Beginning with a slab of clay, students then create their
postcards in relief.  We talk about relief sculpture and about hollowing
forms.  Students carve grooves into the bottoms of their slabs to prevent
warping.  They paint them using underglazes or acrylics, whichever they
prefer.  I've had everything from farmyards to Atlanta, to bathrooms, to Oz.
This is always a successful project!

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