Fine arts and Crafts

My goals

By the end of this Unit, I will be able to:

⦿ Describe the process of preparing clay.

⦿ Make a sculpture in clay.

⦿ Decorate the surface of a clay piece.

⦿ Make a mask and decorate it.

⦿ Share ideas with others about modelling.

Introduction

Modelling is a very old activity which has been done by

different cultures. It includes both pottery and sculpture.

There are many figures which have been formed using clay.

For example look at the ceramic wares from Gatagara Pottery

in Figure 4.1.

Activity 1

1. Look at Figure 4.1 and mention the different objects in

the picture.

2. Identify the patterns used to decorate these objects.

3. Which materials were used to make these products?

In Senior One you studied about modelling where you learnt

about clay and its uses. You also studied about the different

methods of making ceramics (such as pots, cups and bowls);

these include pinch, coil and slabs. You studied about the

different methods of decorating ceramic articles. You learnt

that clay was used as the basic material for ceramics. Clay

can further be used in other ways.

In this unit, we are going to learn more about modelling in clay

by exploring additive and subtractive methods. For example,

look at the two sculptures in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2: A male and female sculpture made out of clay

Activity 2

1. Observe the sculpture in Figure 4.2 and identify the

activites represented.

2. Discuss the sculptures in terms of form and use of clay.

3. Look at the surface of these sculptures and discuss how

their texture was made.

Clay preparation

In Senior One you learnt about clay preparation. You studied

about four different methods of clay preparation namely;

The plastic method: The method is often used in brick

making. The available moisture in clay

is used to prepare it.

The wet method: Where clay is dissolved in water to

form shap. Then it is wedged to loose

moisture and prepare it for use. It is

good for making pottery.

The dry method: Clay is dried, pounded and crushed

into powder form. It is often used in

factories for making tiles.

The semi dry method: Combines both dry and plastics

methods.

Each method has got advantages depending on where it

is being used. However, it is always important to get rid of

unwanted materials such as stones, plant roots from clay

during its preparation. Grog is always added in clay for

sculpture in order to make it stronger and to ease the firing

process.

Remember, clay has to be kneaded and pressed during its

preparation in order to get rid of air pockets. This is also done

in order for the clay to become more plastic.

Activity 3

1. Discuss the four different methods of clay preparation.

2. Which method is more suitable for preparing clay for

pottery?

3. Which method is more suitable for the preparation of

clay for sculpture?

4. Follow an appropriate method and prepare your clay.

Keep it in a safe place.

Take note:

· The quality of clay determines the quality of the object

formed. When clay is well prepared, it can be used to form

fine objects.

· Objects can easily break if they are made from poorly prepared

clay.

· Ready clay should not crack when pressed, it should be even

such as the one in Figure 4.3.

Moulding different clay figures

Your hand is the basic tool while moulding clay. This applies

to both additive and subtractive methods of forming art works.

Clay figures can be made by use of the following methods:

· Using coils

· Using slabs

· Additive method

· Subtractive method

Activity 4

Discuss the four methods above and write how each one of

them can be applied for making clay work.

make clay figures such as masks. As you may have observed,

these methods are commonly used to make pottery and

ceramic sculpture. You can make a sculpture using the additive

method, by putting together small pieces of clay until you get

the whole sculpture desired. For example, the sculptures in

Figure 4.2 were made using the additive method.

Substractive method is where you begin with a big piece of

material which you keep reducing until the required sculpture

is got. Subtractive method commonly applies to such materials

as wood and stone. However, it could be used in clay. For such

a method, you pile up a lump of clay, then you keep removing

pieces until you get the required form.

How to make a mask from a mold

Remember, a mask is an object which is normally put on the

face to disguise one’s identity. Since it is to be worn on the

face, a mask is usually made of light materials such as wood,

plastic and paper. For example, look at the masks in Figure

4.4.

Figure 4.4: Local masks

You can make a mask of your own using a mold. A mold is a

form which is used to give shape to another softer material. In

this unit we shall use clay to make a mold.

In order to make a mask using a mold, you begin by thinking

about the purpose of your mask. From the purpose you can

develop a title for your mask. For example, your mask could

be used to entertain people on a festive occasion. You need

the following materials in place.

· Clay

· Waste papers

· Glue

· Polythene material

· Vaseline

· Colours

· Brushes

· Small stones or seeds

· Raffia and threads

Then you follow the steps below:

Step 1

Develop sketches for

your mask as shown

in Figure 4.5. Making

a sketch helps you

to develop and put

ideas together and it

acts as a guide while

forming your work.

Figure 4.5: Sketches for a mask showing the front and side view

Step 2

Use clay to make your mask

mold. Look at Figure 4.6.

Avoid creating pockets on

your mold. These are areas

with depressions within

the mold. Such pockets

make it difficult to remove

the mask off your mold.

Figure 4.6: Forming a mold for the mask out of clay

Step 4

Use a tool to create a smooth

finishing on your mold as

shown in Figure 4.7. This

could be a table knife or a

smooth stick. This would

further help you to remove

your mask so easily. Never

allow your mold to get

dry. Always cover it with a

polythene material whenever

you break off.

Step 4

When you are done

with the mold, smear

its surface with

Vaseline. (Figure

4.8). This eases the

removal of the mask

after completion

Figure 4.8: Smearing the clay mold with vaseline

Step 5

Tear small pieces of paper

and carefully use glue to

fit them on your mold

as shown in Figure 4.9.

When you are done with

the first layer, apply glue

and add another layer.

Whenever you add three

to four layers expose your

work to get dry.

Figure 4.9: Applying papers on the clay mold

Step 6

When you are done and

satisfied with the thickness

of the mask, carefully get

it off the mold. This can be

done by scooping clay out

and you remain with the

image in papers. Then turn it

around and work on its inner

parts. Look at Figure 4.10.

The inner part of your mask

should be as smooth as the

outer part

Figure 4.10: Finishing the inner part of the mask after

Step 7

Then cut out the

provision for the eyes

as shown in Figure

4.11. Prepare colours

and paint your mask

according to your plan

or sketch. Add a string

for holding your mask in

place.

Figure 4.11: Cutting out the provision for the eyes

Step 8

Your mask could be

decorated further by

adding more colours,

raffia and a rough texture

with small stones or

seeds. For example look

at Figure 4.12.

Activity 4

1. Follow the steps above and make your mask to be

used on an occasion. Decorate it using the available

materials.

2. Display your work and discuss it with classmates

Decorating clay surfaces

Clay naturally has its texture. But this can be changed by use

of different tools to improve the appearance of the art work.

Consider the following techniques of decorating clay

surfaces:

· Smoothening: the article is made smooth with a tool, then it

is fired.

· Glazing: glaze is applied to the surface of the article at bisque

level, the article is then fired for the second time. Glazing can

be done in one uniform colour or with patterns.

· Painting: a technique where colours are applied to an article

after firing. Such colours are applied following particular

patterns.

· Incision: this is done by using a tool to cut patterns into the

surface of an article.

· Building: the surface of an article is decorated by adding small

pieces on the surface while following a particular pattern.

Activity 5

Observe the clay pieces in Figure 4.13 and 4.14, and

mention the technique which was used to decorate its

surface. (Choose from these; building, incision, painting,

glazing and smoothening).

Assessment

1. Use clay to prepare a mold of your choice. Don’t let your

mold dry up.

2. Using waste papers and glue, prepare a mask and decorate

it.

3. Display and discuss your skills regarding creativity and use

of materials.

4. Describe four techniques of decorating a pottery article.

Glossary

Grog: crashed fired clay which is usually added in

clay to make it stronger and to ease its firing

process.

Additive method: a method of making clay works by putting

together smack pieces of clay.

Subtractive method: a method of making artworks by removing

small bits off the original shape until the

required form is got.

Glaze: a coating of coloured, opaque, or transparent

material applied to ceramics before firing.

Mold: a hollow form or matrix for giving a particular

shape to something in a molten or plastic

state.

Kneading: a processing of folding, pressing and stretching

a soft substance such as clay, and making it a

smooth uniform mass.

Pressing: exerting force on a substance such as clay to

flatten it.

Pocket: depressions within a given surface.