Art Adventure: Modeling Clay

My philosophy with art is that it is more important to let children explore art media and enjoy it than it is to always have a perfectly complete project. So, sometimes open-ended projects are best.

Modeling Clay Sculptures

Supplies:

• modeling clay
• scissors
• baking sheet
• oven

The easiest way to divide up modeling clay is with scissors.

You have to knead and squish the clay a bit to soften it up so you can work with it. Sometimes kids need help with that part.

Then just let them go, and create anything with their imagination. We had a snowman, pretzels, a bridge, a sheep and a tower created this time.

Preheat your oven to 275 degrees F. Cover a baking sheet with foil and bake the sculptures for about 15 mins. (depending on how thick. Check your package instructions.)

Don't underestimate the power of just giving kids supplies and letting them go. You don't always need an elaborate plan. But if you do want building techniques check out my archive.

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Art Adventure: Coil Pots

It's time for another 3D project.

 

Coil Pots

 

Supplies:

• Sculpey Clay (or other brand oven bake clay)
• baking sheet

 

Sculpey is just my brand of choice because it was the first oven bake clay I ever used. Whichever brand you use, squish it in your hands to warm it and make it more pliable. I do this part for my kids because it is a bit hard to do.

Tear off a chunk and with flat hands, roll it against the table to make a snake. Make sure to move hands along the length to keep the coil even.

 

Take one end and curl it into the coil, and wrap, making a circle. It's kind of like a snail as you are going. Pat it down to really seal the coil together. This is the bottom.

Roll more coils (or snakes if you prefer). Set the coil on the edge of your circle. Pressing slightly, continue your way around the edge and go up on top of the coil when you come to it.

 

Start the next coil where the last one stopped. You can continue building your coil pot as high as you like. The more clay you use, the higher your pot will be.

Be sure to lightly press and pinch to hold the coils together.

 

Preheat your oven to 275°F. Place coil pot on foil covered baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

 

Tips: teach the basics and then let them experiment. Today Gabe made and interesting texture by twisting the coils after rolling them out. If your child is younger, you may have more success with something easier to mold like Model Magic.

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