Clay with Phillip Martin
Lesson Plan
Learner Outcomes: .................................................... ....................................................
Color: Understand that colors can be transparent and opaque
  Understand that color schemes can be analogous monochromatic, and complementary
  Understand that complementary colors neutralize each other
 
Form: Appreciate that art encompasses a variety of 3-D forms using various media
Appreciate that form should follow function
   
Texture: Appreciate that texture is used to enhance realism
  Appreciate that texture is used to enhance aesthetics
   
Materials: 25 muslin sheets 12" x 20"
  25 cardboard bases for the clay
  25 individually wrapped 2 pounds packages of clay
  50 plastic bags for sealing the clay
an assortment of clay sculpting tools
  a kiln
  acrylic paint
  an assortment of brushes
  aprons
  acrylic matte spray
   
Vocabulary: Transparent, Opaque, Analogous, Monochromatic and Complementary Colors, Texture

It is good to have a local Zambian potter come in to the class for a demonstration. I had Mr. Chatyola but I'm guessing you can't pay his flight from Lusaka.

The clay needs to be slapped, molded, pushed, massaged, and played with in order to get it pliable. Allow the students time to play and experiment with the clay before beginning the project. If you try to give them any instructions after the clay is opened, they aren't going to listen. So, play first.

Helpful hints: There are a few things to remember while working.

1. The pieces of clay should not be more than about one half inch thick. (This may require hollowing out thicker objects.) When joining pieces of clay, students must score both sides of the contacting pieces before connecting them. Scoring is simply making the edges rough with your clay tools. If you attach a head to a body, both pieces need to be scored.

2. Slip, a slurry mixture of clay and water, applied to both sides being scored helps with this process.

3. And, it is very important to put the clay back in a sealed plastic bag each time until the project is finished.

If I had the students every day, I would allow three or four sessions for the projects to be made. However, since I have them once a week, I give them two periods. Those who finished in that time have no homework. Those who don't wrap the clay up in damp muslin and newspaper and then use two plastic bags. When the work is finished, the clay needs a week to dry.

If your school has a kiln, somebody must know how to fire it up. Ask the art teacher or whoever else is in the know. If you find yourself in Zambia, Mr. Chatyola will fire the work for you.

I have the students finish up their work by painting with acrylic paint. That takes about two periods. Finally, spray each clay creation with an acrylic spray.

Copyright 2000, revised 2012 by Phillip Martin All rights reserved.