Materials
Working surfaces, two pre-rolled slabs of clay for each student (approx. 1/4" x 3" x 4" and 1/4" x 4" x 4")*, various tools to make textures (natural materials, toothpicks, kitchen implements, etc.), large paper for demonstration, paper, pencils, a rolling pin
*If it is not possible to pre-roll slabs of clay, students will each need two 2" x 2" cubes which they can flatten with the heels and sides of their palms.
Resources
When Clay Sings by Byrd Taylor and Tom Bahti; Various images of animals to be used a reference; Students' prints of animal artworks from their research.
Students will make a drawing of their favorite animal. They will then choose one or more shapes from its body and use them to build a pattern on a clay tile. If slabs have not been pre-rolled, students can flatten their cubes with the heels and sides of their hands. The teacher can encourage students to explore the different kinds of marks made by various objects.
- How could these tools help you make your textured pattern?
- Which animal did you choose to use?
- Which features did you use for your pattern?
- Which objects did you press into the clay to make that pattern?
Take a trip to the Brooklyn Museum and visit their Arts of the Americas collection. Students can bring their sketchbooks and make drawings of ceramic objects that feature animals.