Textured Relief Sculpture with Van Gogh

    

Allow 15 minutes for several days/weeks of art class to complete this project

DISCUSSION:

Texture

What is texture?

Where do we find it in nature?

Where do we see it in life everyday?

How can it help us?

Where do we see it in art?

Relief Sculpture

       what is it?

       where do you see it?

       it usually tells a story

       what would you find on the back of relief sculpture?

Project: 11:30-1

Step1: look through the books on Van Gogh and choose your favorite piece

Step2: get a hunk of clay

Step3: using your hand, warm it up by just moving it through your fingers

Step4: begin the process of rolling it out with your hands

Step5: flatten the clay and create a square or rectangle

Step6: with a toothpick begin to draw out your van Gogh piece in the clay

Step7: draw it all in with line

Step8: now go back and look at the texture of the piece

Step9: using different tools recreate the texture in to your clay drawing

Day 2: (or week 2)

Your RELIEF sculpture is now leather hard

Leather hard means harder then yesterday but you can still make changes

Step1: using sculpture tools from yesterday, carve out additional details

Add more texture, make details deeper, etc.

Day 3 (week 3)

At this stage the clay will be completely hardened

Paint the clay with acrylic paints

Day 4 (week 4)

Finish the piece by adding a gloss coat over the paint. Modge Podge is a great option. 

Adaptations: 

If a kiln is available you would bisque fire after week two and glaze fire after the third week. 

MATERIALS:

1 pound of clay per child

assorted tools to add texture

  straws

  plastic forks and knives

  tooth picks

Acrylic paint

Modge Podge