Clay Sculptures

Last week in Art we started to create our clay sculptures.

• First we took a wooden stand.
• Then we wrapped paper around it to create a head and neck shape. We then used tape to secure it.
• Once we had done that, we added peelets of clay to create a basic form of a head. The clay we used was red caly, otherwise known as Terracotta.
• Once the basic structure was formed, we were able to add in details such as chine, nose and eyes, whilst still thinking about proportion.

Once we finish this stage and are happy with the way it looks, we can the either cast or fire the finished sculpture.

Casting means that you make a plaster mould and then pouring bronze (a liquid metal) into it.

Firing involves placing the piece into a kiln. A kiln is basically an oven which goes up to 1000 degrees unlike household ones. The paper inside the sculpture is the burnt away and you are left with a strong piece of work.

But there are also saftey factors to consider when making clay sculptures:

You have to make sure that the clay is cleared away properly, as the dust from the clay can actually be very fatal and if inhaled can eventually cause lung cancer. Making a clay sculpture differs from making a 2D painting in that it is more realistic and you are able to pay more attention to detail.