Lesson: Kimmy Cantrel Relief
Mask
Grade Level: 4th Grade
Objective: I can identify and demonstrate
relief sculpture.
Materials/Resources:
Kimmy Cantrel Power Point and Color Visuals
White Clay
Glaze or acrylic paint
Clay tools
Paint brushes & water bowls
Scrap paper
Pencil & Eraser
Scissors
Manila “Pockets”
Procedure: Look at Kimmy Cantrel’s clay masks and discuss his artistic history.
Look for similarities and differences in his work. Introduce or review relief sculpture
and how it is different than sculpture-in-the-round.
Day one:
1. Looking at Cantel’s masks, use pencil and scrap paper to design your own
mask showing influences to Cantrel’s work.
2. Create a “to scale” paper pattern for your mask design. Cut a base shape, two
eyes, a nose and mouth from the scrap paper.
3. Place all pattern pieces in manila pocket to save for next class.
Day Two:
1. Lay base shape paper pattern on top the clay slab and use a clay tool to cut
around pattern. Remove paper pattern.
2. Gently press your shoe into base to create an interesting texture/pattern on the
base.
3. Wad clay scrap cut from the base shape and pat into a pancake the thickness
of your finger. Use this piece of clay to lay paper patterns for nose, eyes and
mouth and cut out each feature.
4. Score and slip each facial feature to press on top the base of mask.
5. Smooth our all edges and add any additional details with clay tools.
*Teacher will fire piece in Kiln.
Day Three:
1. Use glaze or acrylic paint to paint clay mask.
*Teacher may re-fire piece if glazed.
Resource: Alum Creek Elementary School, Lewis Center, Ohio