Art 2 Intermediate
Ceramics Portrait Bust
Objectives:
I.V.2.1 Generate innovative solutions to artistic problems.
I.V.3.1 Understand the function of tools in creating art.
I.CX.1.3
Classify art by artist, movement, and style.
Lesson Summary:
Students will learn about the sculptor Elizabeth Catlett and use her expressive
works as inspiration for creating their own expressive ceramic portrait busts.
Monday
1.
Review ceramics vocabulary, clay stages, techniques.
2.
Read Scholastic Art Magazine, February 2012: Elizabeth Catlett for ideas for your ceramic bust.
Answer critical thinking questions. Discuss and sketch ideas: Will you show just the head and
shoulders to focus on emotion or will you show a whole figure to focus on the action? You will view
student examples to guide you. What will your figure be doing? Figures must be stable so they do not
topple over. Will you use distorted proportion or realistic? Decide final ceramic bust form.
You may want to check out the photos on your camera, the internet, or books or magazines on the art
room shelves. Be ready to start working in clay tomorrow.
Tuesday
1.
Discuss clay protocol and clean up routine. See student examples.
2.
Set up in two groups: portrait bust and whole figure.
a.
To create a portrait bust head:
1. Sculpt two pinch pots, one larger than the other and fuse together around balled up
newspaper.
2. Shape the head smoothly, making sure the join between the two pots is invisible.
3. While forming the head, think about how to show the expression you wish.
b.
To create a whole figure:
1. Make the different parts of your figure separately out of clay and join them together.
If parts are made too thin, they may break.
3.
Cover clay with plastic, being careful not to let air in.
Wednesday-Veterans' Day, no school
Thursday & Friday
1.
Discuss and work on: the portrait sculpture should exhibit expression or action, be visually
interesting in the round, have excellent design, and intriguing details.
2.
Add details to the sculpture as needed, being sure to score, score, wet, wiggle, and smooth the join.
3.
Portrait Bust newspaper extraction: when the clay is leather hard, cut out a half dollar sized hole
where it won't be visible and remove the newspaper with tweezers. Do not seal the hole so gases in
the clay may be released in the kiln.
4.
Create the neck, shoulders, hair, and details using slab, coil, or other methods.
5.
Be sure the final piece is smooth (can be sanded once bone dry) with no harmful edges.
6.
Fire the greenware in a bisque firing.
1.
A final coating is required. We will probably not have enough glaze, so we will finish the ceramic
bust with other media: watercolors, watered-down acrylic or oil paint, tissue paper collage, shoe
polish, furniture stain, food coloring, spray paint, etc.
7.
Photograph each step in the process in case an accident occurs within the kiln while firing. The
photographs may count as artworks in your final art show exam. Some accidents are lucky
opportunities!
Name
Ceramic
Portrait
Assessor
A
93-100
19-20
B
85-92
17-18
C
78-84
16
D
70-77
14-15
F
0-69
0-13
19-20
19-20
19-20
19-20
17-18
17-18
17-18
17-18
16
16
16
16
14-15
14-15
14-15
14-15
0-13
0-13
0-13
0-13
Name
Ceramic
Portrait
Assessor
A
93-100
19-20
B
85-92
17-18
C
78-84
16
D
70-77
14-15
F
0-69
0-13
19-20
19-20
19-20
19-20
17-18
17-18
17-18
17-18
16
16
16
16
14-15
14-15
14-15
14-15
0-13
0-13
0-13
0-13
Name
Ceramic
Portrait
Assessor
A
93-100
19-20
B
85-92
17-18
C
78-84
16
D
70-77
14-15
F
0-69
0-13
19-20
19-20
19-20
19-20
17-18
17-18
17-18
17-18
16
16
16
16
14-15
14-15
14-15
14-15
0-13
0-13
0-13
0-13
Requirements
met
Portrait features in clay are believable
and complete, in the round
Portrait shows expression or action
Clay is no more than 1/2" thick
Craftsmanship Clay is smooth and well formed
Artistic Vision Exceptional realism in features,
Excellent details, Complex form,
Excellent distorted proportion,
More than one excellent figure
Requirements
met
Portrait features in clay are believable
and complete, in the round
Portrait shows expression or action
Clay is no more than 1/2" thick
Craftsmanship Clay is smooth and well formed
Artistic Vision Exceptional realism in features,
Excellent details, Complex form,
Excellent distorted proportion,
More than one excellent figure
Requirements
met
Portrait features in clay are believable
and complete, in the round
Portrait shows expression or action
Clay is no more than 1/2" thick
Craftsmanship Clay is smooth and well formed
Artistic Vision Exceptional realism in features,
Excellent details, Complex form,
Excellent distorted proportion,
More than one excellent figure
Greenware Grade
Greenware Grade
Greenware Grade