CERAMICS II Projects/Sketches Guidelines with Ms. Trussa
Plan and draw the following assignments in your “drawing journal” for the dates shown, or for the
following Monday for each date. Sketches are due at the beginning of class and will not be accepted
otherwise. Sketches are worth 40 points; Requirements are:





-5 points for adequate sketch size of six inches (size of your hand) minimum;
-5 points for complete glaze planning (all colored-in showing artistic effort in glaze choices);
-10 points for original solution and correct sketch criteria followed;
-10 points for the reference photo(s) that is taped to the back of the previous sketch;
-10 points for five written process ideas that are specific (not generalized ideas) to the sketched
project. Specific written project ideas may refer to reference ideas, planned dimensions, glaze
name choices, glaze application instructions, handbuilding technique(s), theme(s), proposed title,
carved-in verses appliqued-on designs, textural sources, reference explanation, building &/or glazing
concerns or questions, etc.
1. 8/29- Draw your own idea for a Greek vessel (pot), based upon Grecian basic artistic guidelines of
curved shapes with two short handles, surface designs carved-in showing human figures black
silhouetted against a solid colored background, and carved-in textural borders at the bottom (wider)
and at the top. As our first in-class project, this minimum eight inch tall vessel will be built with the
coil technique (smoothed on the outside) upon a slab base with the handles added before the
designs are carved-in. The silhouetted figures may be of ancient Greek or contemporary origin.
2. 9/5- In this sketch, draw your own design for a functional piece (bowl, pitcher, box, vase, etc.) in the
Roseville Pottery style. The Roseville Pottery Company was founded in Roseville, Ohio in 1890
and then moved to nearby Zanesville, Ohio in 1898 and remained in production until 1954. The
artists of this company made simple household pieces look beautiful with geometric Art Deco
shapes showing appliqued designs of nature in soft matte glazes. Today Roseville Pottery pieces are
highly valued with the Art Deco “Futura” line selling between $5,000 and $10,000 per piece. If
constructed, this piece should be at least seven inches wide or tall.
3. 9/12- This sketch will be the basis of our second in-class project: Create a design for an
“autobiographical box”. This box may show images of heritage, religion, favorite places, hobbies
objects, dreams, goals, etc. Each of the five sides is to be covered in showing five different image(s)
with one unifying element to continue around on all sides and onto the top (lid). Only one image
may be a copyrighted image. The box is to be constructed of slabs, to at least six inches on its
shortest side, with a flat lid (lid locking coil) or a notched lid. This box can be any shape. The
marker transfer method for image accuracy is to be used.
4. 9/19- Draw a replica vehicle that contains a hidden (lidded) compartment container in its trunk,
hood, passenger area, etc. It could be a car, truck, train, carriage, spaceship, aircraft, airplane, or
any other type of vehicle. If constructed, it should be at least six inches long and four inches tall.
(over…)
5. 9/26- This sketch will be the basis of our third in-class project. Design a decorative (sculptural) or
functional (bowl, vase, box, etc.) piece to show tribute to a favorite artist. This piece is to pay
homage to an artist of the theatre, dance, music, visual art or literary art world. The handbuilding
method(s) is of free choice. The marker image transfer method may enhance this project. This
project is to be at least seven inches at its longest point.
6. 10/3- Draw, in any style of your own, your idea of a “storyteller” sculpture. Helen Cordero used
Cochiti Pueblo Indians for her images. The recent movie, The Giver, based upon the 1993
dystopian novel by Lois Lowry of the same title, is centered on the societal importance of the
elderly storyteller. Cordero’s sculptures show several little figures around the main storyteller
figure. Design your sculpture with a main storyteller with at least three smaller figures, all
connected together at certain points or by a base. If constructed, this detailed sculpture is to be no
smaller than six inches in height or length.
7. 10/24- This sketch for your fourth in-class project is to show a nontraditional design for a “box in
disguise” of at least seven inches at its longest point. It could resemble a nonobjective styled puzzle
form of an unrecognizable nature or a sculptural object such as a car, book, animal, creature, etc.
Reference for this project can be found in Dada Art, or the art of DavidGilhooly or Allan
Rosenbaum. Your box cannot be a traditional cube (square-sided). It may have multiple lids. This
box will serve as an attractive hiding place for special small objects.
8. 10/31- An imaginary, unique house is to be drawn in this sketch. It is to tell a story by its interesting
theme and attached “props.” Be sure to add some type of living creature to make it more
interesting. If created, it should be at least seven inches in height with highly textured surfaces. Its
theme could be an island cottage, a medieval castle, futuristic space station, etc.
9. 11/7- This sculptural idea sketch refers to the art of Jerry Berta who uses his abstract style to
showcase places of popular culture like his diner restaurant sculptures upon which he even installs
neon lights. Draw your own favorite pop culture place as a sculpture. It could be a restaurant,
shop, theatre, concert hall, park, etc., of at least seven inches if created.
10. 11/14- Refer to the political/social art pieces of Grayson Perry, Richard Notkin and Mara Superior
for creating your own idea for a container that delivers a message. Concentrate on one central
theme or message to be shown in at least four different images that wrap around all sides. It is to be
at least 7 inches at its shortest point. These images may be all of the same only with slight
differences. The message could be as general as human equality to as specific as water
conservation.
11. 11/21- This sketch is to show a figure or two in action. If one figure is shown, then a supportive
prop must be a part of the theme. Lladro’s abstract sculptures of dancing, embracing figures stand
as excellent examples. The action theme may be as subtle as singing or as overt as participating in a
sporting event. The figures are to be at least six inches tall.
12. 12/5- Design an overall textured bowl with a carving-in technique as seen in Halima Cassell’s art, or
a beautifully over-all painted surface as seen in the art of Victor Schreckengost, Lucy Lewis, Peder
Rasmussen, Kurt Weiser, Lenca pottery or Arabic tiles. The entire interior surface is to be
decorated with the outside surface showing a relative design or burnished smooth. The bowl’s
opening is to be no smaller than eight inches across in diameter.
13. Our last and fifth in-class project is based upon your choice of any of the above project sketches not
already constructed.
REQUIRED WORKING POINTS:
A. ALL WALLS are to be ¼” OR THINNER. (thinner than “pinky width”).
B. ALL LIDS are to have lid-locking mechanisms (underside coil, tabs, three outer edge notches, etc.)
C. ALL PROJECTS require at least two weeks of daily construction to be considered Ceramics II
level work.
D. ALL work must be ORIGINAL as you are not permitted to use copyrighted images.
E. ALL work must be glaze-free on the bottom.
F. ALL container interiors must be glazed.
G. ALL glaze painting is completed before the project’s glaze firing; Glazing is not to be completed in
stages, with multiple firings. Each project should be fired only twice, once as greenware and once as
bisqueware (painted with unfired glaze).
H. ALL work must be labeled on the bottom with your name and date; class period number is
optional.
I. Enjoy making more complex ceramic pieces that you will love to own and ask for help from me,
Ms. Trussa, if you are experiencing anything less!!
{Ohio Department of Education Visual Art Sampling of Standards Met in Ceramics II:}
1PR, Accelerated- Increased technical skills and craftsmanship when creating images from observation,
memory and imagination will be shown;
3PR, Beginning- Multiple solutions to visual art problems will be explored through preparatory work;
6PR, Intermediate- Visual Literacy will be used as a means to create images that advance individual
expression and communication.
2PE, Intermediate- Sources that visual artists use to generate ideas for artworks are described.
2PE, Advanced- The way a theme or meaning in an artwork expresses the social, political or cultural
context is interpreted and evaluated.
2RE, Accelerated- Self-assessment to understand progress and prioritize steps for improvement are
practiced.