Self-Start:
Pick Up:
Fill up your water cup (about half way full)
A toothpick and a sponge (from the front table)
Photo: HuttyMcphoo
Leave the clay alone for now.
Inspired by Fossils: A Fallen Leaf!
Connection: Fossils
Art Element Focus: Texture
Image: by Gabriel S. Bever & Mark A. Norell, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vadasaurus_herzogi_holotype_(fossil).jpg
Objective:
I can create a leaf sculpture.
Warm Up: Look at Leaf Images!
Look at these images of leaves! Sometimes people find fossils made by plants. What do you think fossils would look like if they were created out of these leaves?
Image by anaterate, https://pixabay.com/illustrations/leaves-shoots-veins-leaf-veins-5424297/
Image by Kampanat Ruttanadakal, https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-a-fern-leaf-on-white-background-3248615/
https://www.maxpixel.net/Walnut-Leaf-Leaves-Leaf-Spring-Green-Macro-3420078
Explore: The Element of Texture
Each of these artists showed various textures in their art. Texture means how something feels if you touch it. Texture can be an illusion in art, or real.
Fanny/Fingerpainting, by Chuck Close, 1985, National Gallery of Art, oil on canvas
White Poodle in a Punt, by George Stubbs, c. 1780, National Gallery of Art, oil on canvas
Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, by Benedetto Briosco, early 1490s, National Gallery of Art, marble, 24 in diameter
Today’s Activity:
Exploring Texture
Guided Project
See “Air Dry Clay Techniques and Instructions” for today’s Explore activity!
Create:
Leaf Sculpture
Guided Project
Supplies Needed:
-Air dry clay
-Cup with water
-Toothpick or other tools
-Optional: Wax paper
-Optional: Cup with slip (a water/clay mixture)
-Paint and/or varnish, paintbrush
Take a piece of clay. Knead it with your hands. Add some water if it’s too dry.
Push it out into a smooth slab with your hands or a rolling pin. Make sure it is still at least ¼ inch thick.
Carve a leaf outline.
Remove the extra pieces from the leaf shape.
Combine the extra pieces into a ball. Add drops of water with your fingers if it is too dry.
Roll out the ball into a long snake.
Score a line down the middle of the leaf. Scratch lines going at one diagonal, then the opposite way. It looks like a column of X’s when you’re done.
Score the top part of the snake, as well. Score it the length of the leaf.
Add slip to the scoring, and place the stem on the leaf. Attach the scored sides together. Make sure it is pressed tightly and sealed.
Use a tool to add other texture to your leaf. You can also use your hands.
Carve your name into the back of the leaf.
Now, you will set it on wax paper and let it dry for at least 24-48 hours.
Write your table number and teacher’s name on a paper plate. Place your sculpture on your table’s plate.
Carefully take your plate to the counter.
Clay Clean Up
Clay Clean Up
3. Then take your sponge to the bucket.
2. Dip your sponge in your water cup and wipe off the table in the area where you sat.
Clay Clean Up
5. When your table is sprayed, use a paper towel to clean it off as you normally do. The last person at each table will throw away the paper towel.
4. Dump out your water in the sink (or bucket, in the relo). Wash your hands and bring your cup back to your seat to dry. In the relo, use a hand wipe to clean your hands when you return to your seat.
Reflect
Look at your leaf sculpture. Silently take time to answer these questions:
Creative Response:
Leaf Sculpture
Independent Project
Question: What kind of music do fossils like?
Supplies Needed:
-Acrylic paint
-Paintbrush
-Palette (could be a lid, paper plate or piece of paper)
-Cup with water
-Your dried clay sculpture!
Answer: Hard rock.
Creative Response
We have looked at different kinds of leaves. We practiced using texture. We created a leaf together. Now, you will paint your leaf! You can look at these pictures for ideas. If you want, you can make it an autumn leaf! See mine on the next slide.
About 15 minutes
Image by anaterate, https://pixabay.com/illustrations/leaves-shoots-veins-leaf-veins-5424297/
Image by Kampanat Ruttanadakal, https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-a-fern-leaf-on-white-background-3248615/
https://www.maxpixel.net/Walnut-Leaf-Leaves-Leaf-Spring-Green-Macro-3420078
Creative Response Example
I created a summertime leaf. I looked at the images on the previous slide for inspiration. I made the veins lighter by mixing yellow and green. I painted on more veins in between the others. You can paint yours however you want!
Leave it on the wax paper to dry.
Paint Clean Up
Paint Clean Up
3. Throw away your painted plate piece.
2. Put your sculpture on your table’s paper plate. Make sure your name is on your sculpture (or initials). Put your plate on the counter.
Write your table number
Paint Clean Up
5. When your table is sprayed, use a paper towel to clean it off as you normally do. The last person at each table will throw away the paper towel.
6. Use hand sanitizer on your way out of class if there is any paint on your hands.
4. Pour out your water into the sink. Bring it back to your basket.
Thank you for completing Unit 2!