Tuesday, January 20, 2026
CLAY HATCHING ANIMALS
Clay Hatching Animals
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Clay Hatching Animals using ceramic techniques learned in class
- Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), form (two dimensional, three dimensional), and texture (actual visual implied) inspired by Mexican Sculptor (1949-Present) Sergio Bustamante
- Use sculpture techniques (carving, assembling, modeling, casting) and design principles (composition, gradation, proportion) based on Contemporary Art
- Define Oviparous (producing young by means of eggs hat are hatched after they have been laid by parent)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Hatching Eggs (2015) Sergio Bustamante
2. Read Guess What Grows Inside This Egg by Mia Posada
3. Discussion Questions "Why do birds and other animals build nests? How do they build nests? What materials do they use? How long does it take to build a nest? If we were using an incubator (heat, humidity, turning), what are three main things we need to provide? How can we show that the shell is broken or cracking? What colors would you use to represent the inside of an egg? How can we make our baby animal look like it is just coming out of the shell? Why did you choose this specific animal to hatch? How can we make our egg hollow, so it is lightweight like an eggshell? Why is it important to score (scratch) and slip (add watered clay) when attaching the baby animal to the shell? What tools can we use to make the shell looked cracked? What does the baby animal need to break out of the shell? What color, pattern, or texture will you add to make your egg unique? Why do eggs often symbolize new life or spring? How long do the clay eggs need to dry before we can pain them?"
Lesson Activities
1. Turn clay slab into basic shapes (oval, cylinder, organic) for the positive space (egg, animal) of the Clay Hatching Animals
2. Use modeling tools to draw features (tails, eyes, nose, wings) for the positive space (egg, animal) of the Clay Hatching Animals
3. Add lines for the facial features (nose, ears, paws, tail) for the positive space (egg, animal) of the Clay Hatching Animals
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Clay Hatching Animals for Assigned Tables
2 Two Sculpture Eggs (2023) Sergio Bustamante
3. Discussion Questions "What was the most challenging part of working with the clay? What did you learn about clay properties (wet, dry, hard, soft) was. you were working with it? What part of the process was your favorite? How is your ceramic artwork different from anything you have seen before? What choices did you make to ensure your creation would stand up or hold together? What story does your artwork tell, or what adventure is your creature going on? If your artwork could make a sound or a piece of music, what would it sound like? What title would you give your artwork, and why did you choose that name? How does your finished project make you feel, and how might it make others feel? What advice would you give a friend who is about to start their first clay project? How does this project remind you of something else you have seen or done in another class?"
Lesson Activities
1. Add lines for proportions (head, body, paws) within the silhouette (animal, egg, foreground) of the Clay Hatching Animals
2. Mold clay into basic shapes (oval face, long ears, big eyes, paws) for the positive space (foreground, animal, egg) of the Clay Hatching Animals
3. Use needle tools to draw features (eyes, nose, mouth, paws) for the positive space (foreground, animal, egg) of the Clay Hatching Animals
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Clay Hatching 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, animal, egg) of the Clay Hatching Animals
2. Add tempera paint with color combinations (complementary colors, analogous colors, earth tones) to the negative space (background) of the Clay Hatching Animals
3. Apply Gloss Finish to the facial features, facial proportions, and accessories of the Clay Hatching Animals
Artist Examples 
Student Examples 
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
VALUE SCALE GHOSTS
Value Scale Ghosts
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Value Scale Ghost using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), color combinations (analogous, neutral colors, rainbow order), and shape (positive, negative) inspired by Mexican Illustrator (2015-Present) Flavia Z. Drago
- Use value scale (gradation, grey scale, shades) and design principles (proportion, repetition, balance) based on Gustavo The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
- Define Value (the lightness or darkness of a color)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. State Of The Art (2015) Flavia Z. Drago
2. Read Gustavo The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
3. Discussion Questions "Who said ghosts must be scary? Did I mention the ghost loves to play the violin? Do you think monsters know each other? What do you notice about the window? What seems difficult for Gustavo? What do you notice about the other monsters? Do you see Gustavo in the pictures? What do you think he is hiding? Can you think of something in your own life that has felt terrifying? What does Gustavo do to make friends? Does this work? Where do you think they are in these pictures? Why could the monster not see him? What kinds of things did Gustavo enjoy doing? What did he love to do most in the world? What were some of the things that Gustavo was afraid of doing? What did his letter to the monster say?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper
2. Use geometric shapes (oval, circle, rectangle) to draw the positive space (ghost) of the spooky themed artwork
3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to draw the positive space (ghost) and negative space (background) of the Value Scale Ghosts
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Value Scale Ghosts for Assigned Tables
2. Party With Cakes (2022) Flavia Z. Drago
3. Discussion Questions "How do you think Gustavo feels when he cannot make friends? What kind of person (ghost) is Gustavo? Why do you think Gustavo invited everyone to a violin concert? What do you think Gustavo will do to try to make friends? How will the other monsters feel about Gustavo after hearing him play the violin? What do you think will happen to Gustavo after the concert? What are three things you think will happen to Gustavo, the shy ghost? How do you think Gustavo feels about this situation or event? What can you infer from the illustrations?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add details (shadows, highlights, texture) to the positive space (ghost) of the spooky themed artwork
2. Use oil pastels to fill in the positive space (ghosts) with neutral colors (black white grey) for the spooky themed artwork
3. Use oil pastels to fill in the negative space (background) with neutral colors (black white grey) for the Value Scale Ghosts
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Value Scale Ghosts for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (construction paper, painting paper, tempera paint, black oil pastels)
Lesson Activities
1. Add customization parts (jewelry, candy bag, leaves, wind) with neutral colors (black, white, grey) to the spooky themed artwork
2. Use texture techniques (eraser, cloth, sponge) to add details (tongue, mouth, eyes) to the spooky themed artwork
3. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) and shadows (cast shadow, shadows) to the negative space (background) of the Value Scale Ghosts
Artist Examples
Student Examples
Posts
