Ceramic Monsters
Students use pinch method to create hollow forms. Slab cylinders
for legs, coil and slab decoration. This could have a career ed tie in
- designing a creature for a film.
Objectives: Students will
• Gain appreciation for Medieval art - Gargoyles/Beasties
• Design an original monster
• Create a hollow clay form - combine hand building techniques
• Demonstrate craftsmanship in construction and glazing
Click
images for larger views
Materials:
Newsprint for sketches - pencils
White Sculpture Raku Clay
Canvas Rolls (For kneading the clay on. This will slowly dry the
clay)
Clay Modeling Tools
Rolling Pins and guide
sticks
Newspapers and/or balloons (optional)
Glazes,
Underglazes, Assorted Brushes
Resources:
Gargoyles - Medieval Beasties
Optional: Oaxacan wood carved
monsters and Paper Mache monsters
Book: A Little Book of Gargoyles - Gargoyles have stood for
centuries warding off evil. They reached their flowering in the
Middle Ages yet their story goes far beyond that time to the very
beginnings of art, when man created demons to scare away
demons. This book depicts the many fearsome faces of these
monstrosities throughout history.
Instruction/Motivation:
1.
Show examples of creatures made for animation films - show
short film segments
2.
Show slide/PowerPoint of Gargoyles
3.
Review hand building techniques - demonstrate hollow form
for body. Review scoring - correct way of attaching pieces -NOT to trap air.
4.
Review glazing
Procedures:
1.
Make several sketches of monsters. Select best design for
clay. Make a plan for construction (beginning with hollow
body form - made with two pinch pots).
2.
Make hollow body form - form two pinch pots - trim top
edge so edges will meet. Score and slip edges and fuse seam.
May use balloon to keep shape rounded (remove balloon
before firing). May use newspaper to support form (remove
before firing - or allow to burn out in Kiln). Clay should not
be more than ½ thick. Paddle form to desired shape. Make
pin holes on bottom for air to escape.
3.
Form cylinder legs. Make hole in body where legs are to
attach. Do not trap air. Score and attach using Slip.
4.
Form two pinch pots to make head - fuse together... attach to
body (be sure to poke hole in neck though to body.
5.
Make thick coils for arms... form hands and feet. Attach
when leather hard (score and apply slip).
6.
Add extra details - hair, wings, etc.
7.
Check to insure no trapped air - poke pin holes in thick parts
- Fire when bone dry
8.
Apply underglazes/glazes and fire.
9.
Write a reflection about the monster - compare/contrast to
gargoyles/beasties of the middle ages. Write a story about the
monster.
10. Extension - make a movie poster of monster showing
environment.
Alternate finish: Acrylic Paint, Paint Markers and puffy paints (see
Oaxacan wood carvings for inspiration)
Rubric:(adapted from Marianne Galyk)
Assessment Rubric
Student Name:
Class
Assignment: Ceramic Monster
Date C
Circle the number in pencil
that best shows how well
Excelle Go
you feel that you
nt
od
completed that criterion for
the assignment.
Rate
Avera
Needs Improvement Yours
ge
elf
Criteria 1 – planning
sketches and plan for
construction. Written
reflection
10
9–
8
7
6 or less
Criteria 2 – Design and
construction of monster
10
9–
8
7
6 or less
Criteria 3 – Glazing aesthetics
10
9–
8
7
6 or less
Criteria 4 – Effort: took
time to develop idea &
complete project? (Didn’t
rush.) Good use of class
time?
10
9–
8
7
6 or less
10
9–
8
7
6 or less
Criteria 5 – Craftsmanship
– Neat, clean & complete?
Skillful use of the art tools
& media?
Total: 50
Grade:
(possible
points)
Student Comments:
Teacher Comments:
Your
Total