9-12 Creativity to Fruition

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Last Updated: Thursday, 11 December 2014 20:44

Techniques: Hand-building, Glaze Application

Course Length: 2 weeks (allow for dry time and firing)
Level: Advanced, grades 9-12
Download Plan: Creativity to Fruition

Description

Art (Ceramics) + Nature (Color)

This lesson encompasses how we see and create ordinary objects in their natural condition. Whether that be with realistic shapes and forms, or by using the color to represent the object in an ordinary space, we can bring creativity into fruition! The purpose is to also represent how a vessel form can be made to hold other pieces of the artwork; in this case, an ordinary basket holding the fruit intended for it. The students will create a detailed, woven fruit basket, including the hollow bowl shape of the vessel, and also the individual pieces of fruit in realistic form and color.

Objectives

• Students will learn how to create a hand built vessel form, with woven basket details, using the coil and slab technique.
• Students will experiment with natural color for each fruit piece, by using the Foundation glazes appropriate for each piece of fruit.
• Students will learn how to create balance and form with the clay structure of the basket, and will use their knowledge of color theory to create a natural color representation on the surface of their work.

National Standards (9-12)

• VA:Cr2.2.HSI Explain how traditional and non-traditional materials may impact human health and the environment and demonstrate safe handling of materials, tools, and equipment.
• VA:Cr2.1.HSII Through experimentation, practice, and persistence, demonstrate acquisition of skills and knowledge in a chosen art form.
• VA:Cn10.1.HSII Utilize inquiry methods of observation, research, and experimentation to explore unfamiliar subjects through art-making.
• VA:Re9.1.HSIII Construct evaluations of a work of art or collection of works based on differing sets of criteria.

Instructions

Part 1. Construction of Forms:

1. Using a low fire, Cone 06, white clay make 2 small bowl pinch pots and slip and score them together to create a hollow form. To smooth the seam use SCR1-O Xiem Silicone Rib Orange and run the rib up and down the seam to even out the clay.
2. Use your hands to mold the pinch pot into the desired fruit shape.
3. While the fruit pinch pot is still wet, roll a slab and cut oval shapes for the leaves. You want the pinch pot and anything you are attaching to the pinch pot to be the same wetness.
4. Once you cut the leaves out, roll texture into them using Xiem decorating rollers, ARD08A Art Roller Detailing, ARMSA, ARMSB, ARMSD Art Roller Mini, and AR23 Vertical Line Roller.
5. Roll coils to make stems that will attach the leaves to the fruit.
6. Slip and score the stems to the fruit and then slip and score the leaves to the stems. Use paper towels to give some support if the stems are having a hard time holding the leaves weight.
7. When the fruit is leather hard use PSFSS Xiem Pro Sponge with a little water and rub it over the fruit's surface to get a completely smooth finish. The smooth finish allows the glaze to be bright and bold.
8. Poke a hole into the fruit to allow air out.
9. To make the basket, roll a slab.
10. Use a roller and cut 1 inch wide and 18 inch long strips.
11. Roll the Xiem AR23 Vertical Line Roller into the strips.
12. Lay 2 textured strips over the middle of the hump part of Mayco CD777 Oval Slump and Hump mold. Lay 2 more textured strips over the first 2 strips to make a grid. Then weave them together. Continue to weave strips together until the entire mold is filled.
13. When the bowl can hold its shape take if off the mold and attach one more textured strip to the rim.
14. Let clay dry to bone dry and fire to Cone 04.

Part 2. Glaze Application:

1. Using CB-604 #4 Soft fan, apply 3 coats of the bright Foundation Glaze to the body of the fruit. For the orange use FN-03 Orange, for the apple use FN-04 Red, for the banana use FN-02 Yellow, for the grapes use FN-28 Wisteria Purple, and for the pear use FN-37 Chartreuse.
2. With CB-106 #6 Script Liner apply 1 heavy coat of FN-10 Tree Green to the leaves and then with a sponge wipe the FN-10 Tree Green off of the high parts of the texture and leave the green in the low parts of the texture.
3. Apply 1 coat of FN-07 Green to the leaves with CB-604 #4 Soft Fan.
4. Apply 3 coats of FN-29 Rich Chocolate to the stems with CB-106 #6 Script Liner.
5. With CB-604 #4 Soft Fan apply 2 coats of FN-15 Brick Red to the basket.
6. Then apply 2 coats of FN-38 Sand to the basket with CB-604 #4 Soft Fan. Try not to fill in all of the texture with the FN-38 Sand.
7. Slit and fire to cone 06.