Ceramics/Self-Portrait Relief Sculpture
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Unit: Sculpture
Lesson: Self-Portrait Relief Sculpture
Grade Level: High School
Overview: This project is introduced as a “self-portrait” project in which the students create their own self-image onto a piece of paper. They will then use this “self-portrait” to create a three-dimensional relief sculpture, using the medium of clay.
Allotted Time: 2 ½ weeks (on block-scheduling—90 minutes/class period)
Teacher Materials:
- Computer (slideshow)
- Projector
- White Board (or the like, used as projection screen)
- Photocopier
- Paper
- Kiln
Student Materials:
- Paper
- Drawing/Painting Supplies
- Pens
- Pencils
- Paint
- Markers
- Pastels
- Canvas Cloth Surface
- Clay
- Clay Tools
- Rolling Pin
- Bowls of Water
- Glazes/Underglazes (and/or acrylic paints)
Day by Day Procedure:
- Week 1: Self-Portrait
- Day 1
- 20 Minutes: Explain the concept of self-portraits, defined by Merriam-Webster Online as “a portrait of oneself done by oneself,” noting that they can be as literal or figurative as the artist desires. Present a slideshow presentation consisting of many different types of self-portraits, emphasizing the fact that the artist can be as creative as they like in portraying their own image.
- Day 1
- Effective Pictorial Examples:
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- Photo realism
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- True-to-life, realistic representation
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- Realistic representation—less detailed and more conceptual
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- Simplified self-image in the style of cubism
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- Exaggerated features
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- Non-traditional
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- Additional picture resources can be found at: http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/s/self-portrait.html
- 5 Minutes: Pass out supplies (paper and drawing/painting materials)
- 5 Minutes: Answer any questions
- 50 Minutes: Have students brainstorm and draw a couple of preliminary self-portrait sketches. Walk around the class and observe, answering any questions that may arise while giving suggestions and constructive criticism.
- 10 Minutes: Clean up and pack up.
- Day 2
- 10 Minutes: Review the previous day’s info-session, allowing the floor to be open for questions.
- 5 Minutes: Pass out drawing/painting supplies
- 65 Minutes: Student work-time—Walk around the classroom and observe, once again answering questions while giving suggestions and constructive criticism.
- 10 Minutes: Clean up and pack up.
- Days 3, 4
- Student work-time.
- Day 5
- Self-Portraits due.
Before assigning the next part of the project, make sure to photocopy each of the students’ self-portraits, having both the original and photocopy ready to give back to the students for the following portion.
- Week 2: Relief Sculpture
- Day 1
- 20 Minutes: Give a brief PowerPoint presentation outlining the concept of creating a relief sculpture, which is, as noted by Slobodkin in the book Sculpture: Principles and Practice, simply the objective of “creat[ing] within a materially limited area the illusion of a full-bodied shape.” Once again, use pictures as examples to back up your explanation.
- Day 1
- Effective Pictorial Examples:
- 10-15 Minutes: Inform the students that they are to make a relief sculpture from their previously drawn self-portraits. Then, demonstrate the process of making a relief sculpture.
- 5 Minutes: Pass out all Supplies (clay, clay tools, etc.)
- 40 Minutes: Student work-time—Walk around the classroom and observe, once again answering questions while giving suggestions and constructive criticism.
- 10 Minutes: Clean up and pack up.
- Days 2, 3
- Student work-time.
- Days 4, 5
- Students should be underglazing their pieces and have them ready for bisque firing.
- Week 3: Finishing Touches
- Days 1, 2
- Students overglaze their pieces, having them ready for firing.
- Day 3
- All projects are due.
- Days 1, 2
Resource:
- Slobodkin, Louis. Sculpture: Principles and Practice. New York, NY: Dover Publications, Inc., 1949.