CLAY PINATA ANIMALS

 Clay Pinata Animals

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Clay Pinata Animal using clay techniques learned in class
• Use texture (actual, visual, implied), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) inspired by the Aztec Empire
• Use sculpture techniques (carving, assembling, modeling, casting) and design principles (composition, gradation, proportion) based on 14th Century Art
•  Define Pinata (a decorated container filled with candy broken open at parties)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Black And Pink Pig Pinata (2020) Robert Bernavidez

2. Read The Pinata Story by Lisa McCue and Michael McCue

3. Discussion Questions "Did you know that a piñata artist is called a pinetero? What types of hobbies (cooking, baking, sewing, mechanical skills, crafts) could be passed down from generation to generation? Did you know the piñata originated in China? Did you know the first piñatas discovered were fashioned as cows, oxen, or buffalo? Did you know piñata's were burned in the New Year with pieces gathered to bring good luck throughout the year? Did you know Europe created pinatas in the shapes of pineapples and pinecones? Do you know how a piñata is made? What elements do you associate with a celebration in the United States? What types of things do you commonly find at holiday or birthday parties? What was the Battle of Puebla? How did the battle help prevent the confederacy from winning the American Civil War? Do you know of other famous Mexican people such as Frida Kahlo? How are pinatas used in modern culture? Why are pinatas used in modern culture? How can a piñata be considered art? What do many of these pinatas represent? Did you know pinatas are a 400-year-old Mexican tradition?"

Lesson Activities

1. Turn clay slab into basic shapes (head, torso, arms, legs) for the positive space (foreground) of the Clay Piñata Animals

2. Use modeling tools to draw features (clothing, jewelry, accessories) for the positive space (foreground) of the Clay Pinata Animals

3. Add liens for the facial features (nose, eyes, mouth) for the positive space (foreground) of the Clay Pinata Animals

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Clay Pinata Animals for Assigned Tables 

2. Sparrow Piñata (2024) Robert Bernavidez 

3. Discussion Questions "What does symbolism meaning in art? Which artists are known for creating sculptures of everyday animals? What is an example of texture in clay art? Which of these artworks best shows a sculpture techniques? What is an armature in sculpture? Which design principle shows repeated patterns? What is going on in this picture? What do you see that makes you say that? what more can you find? What colors do you see? Could you point out these colors? What kind of animal is shown in the picture? What sounds does that animal make? Where can we find warm colors in this artwork? Where do we see cool colors? What textures do you notice in the piñata? Do the texture in the piñata appear to be hard or soft? What type of clay technique would you use to make the flat base of the clay piñata animal?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add lines for proportions (head, torso, arms, legs) within the silhouette (figure, foreground) of the Clay Piñata Animals

2. Mold clay into basic shapes (oval face, crescent ears, big eyes, rectangular body) for the positive space (foreground) of the Clay Piñata Animals

3. Use needle tools to draw features (eyes, nose, mouth, finger nails, wrinkles) for the positive space (foreground) of the Clay Pinata Animals

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Clay Pinata Animals for Assigned Tables 

2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, needle tools, rubber mat)

Lesson Activities

1. Add tempera paint with color combinations (complementary colors, analogous colors, earth tones) to the positive space (foreground, figure) of the Clay Piñata Animals

2. Add tempera paint with color combinations (complementary colors, analogous colors, earth tones) to the negative space (background) of the Clay Piñata Animals

3. Apply Gloss Finish to the facial features, facial proportions, and accessories of the Clay Piñata Animals 

Artist Examples

 

Student Examples