Famous Artist Clay Busts

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Famous Artist Clay Busts using ceramic techniques learned in class 
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), form (two-dimensional, three-dimensional), and texture (actual, implied, visual) based on Classical Era
• Use hand building techniques (pinching, coiling, slab, building) and design principles (proportion, movement, variation) based on Classical Antiquity
• Define Bust (a sculpture of the upper part of the human figure including head, neck, and shoulders)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Bust Of Queen Nefertiti (1340 BC) Thutmose

2. Read Making Faces A Guide To Modeling The Head And Face With Clay by Alexander Irvine

3. Discussion Questions "Do you think sculpting marble would be easier of harder than sculpting clay? Who were the greatest old masters in the history of art? Where can you find a list of the best artists in the world? What artwork is the most famous from the modern era? Which art the most famous and popular art movements? Which mediums were used by the first artists of he world to produce their artwork? Who was the first living person to have their art displayed in The Louvre? Which artists are famous for Pop Art? How old is the first known human work of art? Why is it important for artists to show and display their artwork?"

Lesson Activities

1. Turn clay slab into basic shapes (head, shoulder, neck) for the positive space (portrait) of the Famous Artist Clay Busts

2. Use modeling tools to draw features (clothing, jewelry, make up) for the positive space (portrait) of the Famous Artist Clay Busts

3. Add lines for the facial features (nose, eyes, mouth) for the positive space (portrait) of the Famous Artist Clay Busts

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Famous Artist Clay Busts for Assigned Tables 

2. Bust Of Napoleon I (1805) Lorenzo Bartolini

3, Discussion Questions "What is a bust? What is a portrait? What do these ceramic busts say about the artist? Portraits are about more than your appearance because it can show who you are or who you want to be/ If you could turn these photographs and paintings into a sculpture, how would you accomplish that? How can a ceramic portrait help you think about the identity of the famous artist? How can you use close observational skills to feel good about yourself and other people around you? How do artists sculpt portraits? Does the way a person is sitting or standing tell you anything about them? What makes this ceramic bust unique? Do you like the way the artist arranged the sculpture? What does the background and objects in the background tell us about the picture? How does the artist repeat shapes and forms with the ceramic work? Is this sculpture considered abstract or realistic?" 

Lesson Activities 

1. Add lines for proportions (head, neck, shoulders) within silhouette of the Famous Artist Clay Busts

2. Mold clay into basic shapes (oval face, crescent ears, rectangular neck) for the Famous Artist Clay Busts

3. Use needle tools to draw facial features (eyes, nose, mouth) within the silhouette of the Famous Artist Clay Busts

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Famous Artist Clay Bust for Assigned Tables

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

Lesson Activities

1. Add tempera paint to the positive space (head, neck face shoulder) of the Famous Artist Clay Busts

2. Add tempera paint to the negative space (background, clothing) of the Famous Artist Clay Busts

3. Apply Gloss Finish to the facial features, facial proportions, and accessories of the Famous Artist Clay Busts

Artist Examples

Student Examples 

Midcentury Ceramic Hand Dish

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create a Midcentury Hand Dish using ceramic techniques learned in class
• Use vibrant colors (saturated, high chromatic, pure pigment), line variation (swirls, squiggles, curves), and texture (hatch marks, smooth edges, stamping) inspired by American Artist (1916-2001) Howard Finster, Italian Painter (1913-1988) Piero Fornasetti, & Graphic Artist (1898-1972) M.C. Escher
• Use mishimas techinques (carving, incising, inlaying) and design principles (balance, repetition, composition) based on Bitossi Ceramic Art 
• Define Pottery (first art forms explored by mankind involving pots, dishes, and other earthenware or baked clay articles)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Hand (1980) Howard Finster
2. Read Nadia's Hands by Karen English
3. Discussion Questions "What is the purpose of Indian Mehndi designs? What is the meaning behind these beautiful tattoos? What are some ways you express luck and happiness during deeply moving experiences? What are some ways you express love and strength during important celebrations? What are some ancient traditions we still use today in the United States?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use slab method to trace & cut out the hand template (fingers, thumb, palm) of ceramic work
2. Use coil construction to make the base (bottom, foot, fillet) of ceramic work
3. Use slip & score method to attach base to the back of Midcentury Ceramic Hand Dish

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Midcentury Ceramic Hand Dish for Assigned Table
2. Hands (1942) Piero Fornasetti
3. Discussion Questions "How do artists create Mendhi Designs? Where do these beautiful traditions and festivals originate? Have you ever seen Indian Mendhi Designs in real life? What can hands reveal about your health, personality, and hobbies? How can these hands show ones past and future?"  

Lesson Activities

1. Use sculpting methods to smear, smooth, and connect hand parts (fingers, thumb, palm)
2. Add surface decoration (paisleys, swirls, vines, eyes, stars) to ceramic hand 
3. Add textural details (ring, fingernails, wrinkles) to Midcentury Ceramic Hand Dish

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Midcentury Ceramic Hand Dish for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (water bucket, sponges, needle tool)

Lesson Activities

1. Inscribe poem, couplet, and signature on back of ceramic work
2. Apply watercolor paint to hand parts, surface decoration, and textural details
3. Apply gloss finish to hand parts, surface decoration, and textural details

Artist Examples 

Student Examples

Kandinsky Inspired Paintings

Learning Targets:

Lesson One 

Day One, Art Start 

Day Two, Art Start

Lesson Activities:

Day Three, Art Start

Lesson Activities: