I love working with clay! So do children, so this is a good mix. At the end of the school year, we sit in small groups and make a loose version of "sgraffito" self portraits onto a clay pancake. They are fired, glazed with clear gloss, then fired again. The kids are always amazed when they finally get to see and touch the final product and can't believe it's something they made.
I'm not sure where I got the idea for this, but it might be in an art curriculum called Spectra.
I model the entire method before anyone does anything with clay. First, on a quarter sheet of 8 1/2 x 11" paper, I pencil sketch a simple picture of me, telling them to keep it simple, because clay is different than paper and details won't show up as well. Then, on my lap, I roll out the clay, make holes for ribbon, use my sketch as a guide and gently scratch the same sketch onto the clay, warning them to not be too strong as you can go all the way through and it will break in the kiln. "Gasp!" The drama is what gets them...
1. Start with a ball of clay about the size of a ball that would fit in a child's hand. Roll it out onto a paper towel or paper plate to make a "pancake." The paper towel is crucial so you don't have a masterpiece stuck to the table. Roll to a about 1/4" thickness, no less.
2. The adult then needs to use a straw to make two holes in the top of the pancake for ribbon.
3. The child then uses anything pointy you have laying around, like a toothpick, old pencil, skewer, paper clip, etc. to scratch their self portrait from their practice sketch.
4. Then use your alphabet rubber stamps for the child to stamp his/her name in, or, let him/her write the name and stamp the year. Whatever you want.
5. Let dry for about a week, longer is better.
6. We fire to cone 06, as anything hotter isn't necessary.
7. Glaze with clear glaze, being careful to not drip onto the back. If any drips do occur, clean off with a wet sponge. Also, check the holes for glaze or you won't have holes anymore.
8. Fire again and add ribbon!
I don't have a final picture, but imagine the one below all shiny like glass with a pretty satin ribbon in the holes.
These are too much work to not show off!! So they are proudly displayed on the wall for Open House. I do, however, let the parents remove them from the wall, as the thought of them in a backpack, on the bus, gives me shivers.
If you have a kiln at your disposal, working with ceramic clay is a must. This is easiest and cutest clay project you can ever do, even if you have zero experience with clay. There's a reason I've been doing it every year for the past 109 years!
I'm not sure where I got the idea for this, but it might be in an art curriculum called Spectra.
I model the entire method before anyone does anything with clay. First, on a quarter sheet of 8 1/2 x 11" paper, I pencil sketch a simple picture of me, telling them to keep it simple, because clay is different than paper and details won't show up as well. Then, on my lap, I roll out the clay, make holes for ribbon, use my sketch as a guide and gently scratch the same sketch onto the clay, warning them to not be too strong as you can go all the way through and it will break in the kiln. "Gasp!" The drama is what gets them...
1. Start with a ball of clay about the size of a ball that would fit in a child's hand. Roll it out onto a paper towel or paper plate to make a "pancake." The paper towel is crucial so you don't have a masterpiece stuck to the table. Roll to a about 1/4" thickness, no less.
3. The child then uses anything pointy you have laying around, like a toothpick, old pencil, skewer, paper clip, etc. to scratch their self portrait from their practice sketch.
4. Then use your alphabet rubber stamps for the child to stamp his/her name in, or, let him/her write the name and stamp the year. Whatever you want.
5. Let dry for about a week, longer is better.
6. We fire to cone 06, as anything hotter isn't necessary.
7. Glaze with clear glaze, being careful to not drip onto the back. If any drips do occur, clean off with a wet sponge. Also, check the holes for glaze or you won't have holes anymore.
8. Fire again and add ribbon!
I don't have a final picture, but imagine the one below all shiny like glass with a pretty satin ribbon in the holes.
These are too much work to not show off!! So they are proudly displayed on the wall for Open House. I do, however, let the parents remove them from the wall, as the thought of them in a backpack, on the bus, gives me shivers.
If you have a kiln at your disposal, working with ceramic clay is a must. This is easiest and cutest clay project you can ever do, even if you have zero experience with clay. There's a reason I've been doing it every year for the past 109 years!
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