CLAY POSTCARD PROJECT PACKET

CLAY POSTCARD PROJECT PACKET

BAS-RELIEF CLAY POSTCARDSCHEDULE:APRIL 28 – MAY 1: Complete “Beginning Questions” sheetAPRIL 30 – MAY 11: Create 3 Thumbnail Planning Sketches of your clay postcardMAY 12 or 13: 3 Thumbnail Planning SketchesMAY 14 – 15: Create Final Full-Size, Detailed Color DrawingMAY 16 or 19: Final Full-Size Color Drawing DueMAY 16 – 29: Create Clay PostcardMay 20 In-progress Critique with PeersMAY 29: CLAY POSTCARD MUST BE COMPLETED FOR DRYING!JUNE 4: Kiln FiringJUNE 5 – 10: Paint Clay Postcard and add message to a friendJUNE 11 or 12: CLAY POSTCARD SHARING CRITIQUE AND DUE FOR GRADE(OVER)46

REQUIREMENTS:• 5” x 7 ½ ” size (large index card) with straight and smooth edges• Bas-Relief Clay Sculpture, with maximum 1” extensions from background• Unity shown through Repetition, Proximity, and/or Continuation• Shows knowledge of country selected from the European Union• Postcard demonstrates a time period, a landmark/architecture/art, a person, and landscape of the country.• Figure is 7 ½ heads tall and shows the time period• Postcard-like appearance:o Front - visual communication of a different culture through the use of objects and symbolso Back – written communication from that culture (address, message, stamp)• Focal Point located using the Rule of Thirds• The Illusion of Depth shown through Atmospheric or Linear Perspective techniques• Acrylic Paint finish on both sidesTURN IN FOR GRADING: 3 Thumbnail Planning Sketches Final Full-Size and Detailed Color Drawing Final Reflections Self-Graded Rubric Clay Postcard Project Sheet Clay Postcard projectNYS LEARNING STANDARDS: 1, 2, 3, and 447

PROCESS:1. Plan your clay postcard’s appearance. Using only visual clues (symbols and objects), convey a culturedifferent from your own in a “postcard” style. Unify your design by using repetition, proximity, and/orcontinuation. Create 3 planning sketches, then 1 final full-size (5” x 7 ½ ”) and detailed color drawing ofyour postcard’s design.2. Start creating your clay postcard by rolling out a baseball size piece of clay into a slab, using two guidesticks for even thickness. Place a template (large index card) on the clay surface and cut out.3. Form pieces of clay to represent the scenery, people, and other objects on your clay postcard. Attach them to the slabby scoring both surfaces, adding some water to act as “glue”, and FIRMLY pressing them together. BE CAREFULNOT TO TRAP ANY AIR POCKETS that may form when attaching hollow and protruding objects – always leave avent hole! Think about overlap to create the illusion of depth. You may also want to carve away portions of thebackground during the sculpting process. When creating a Bas-Relief, pieces should not extend more than ½” to 1”maximum.4. Between class sessions, store your postcard on a piece of foamcore board that has been covered with a piece of plasticwrap. Wrap your clay in a damp paper towel. Put it all in a plastic bag, squeeze out any excess air, then twist close.This will keep your clay moist until the next time you work on it.5. Let your postcard dry until leather hard if you wish to do any fine carving. When finished with your Bas Reliefpostcard, smooth the backside so it will be ready for your written message later. If necessary, re-trim the outsideedges of the postcard so they are straight and the overall dimensions are still the same as the large index card.6. When totally finished, let your postcard sculpture DRY SLOWLY by loosely draping a piece of plastic wrap over itand placing it on your class’ assigned shelf. After 2-3 days, uncover your postcard and CAREFULLY slide it off ofthe foamboard onto a piece of paper towel with your name on it, and place it back on the shelf. WARNING: As theclay dries it becomes EXTREMELY fragile – do not pick it up from the foamboard base!7. When thoroughly dry, your green ware postcard is ready for firing.48

8. After firing, paint your clay postcard with acrylic paints. Don’t forget that you can mix colors! Also, don’t forget theUnity technique of repetition, and the concepts of Atmospheric Perspective when painting. After the front has totallydried, paint the backside white.9. To finish your postcard, write an address and message on the backside with a fine line permanent black Sharpiemarker.10. Make a manila paper folder, then assemble all the paperwork and sketches you need to turn in for grading (check“Turn In For Grading” checklist on project sheet). After critique, turn in your Clay Postcard project and folder forgrading.49

NAME: ________________________________________________________ BLOCK: ____________BAS-RELIEF CLAY POSTCARDGRADING SHEETTURNED IN FOR GRADING: 4 3 2 1 0 3 Thumbnail Planning Sketches Final Full-Size and Detailed Color Drawing Final Reflections Self-Graded Rubric Clay Postcard Project Sheet Clay Postcard projectWORK SCHEDULE: 4 3 2 1 0 3 Planning Sketches done for 5/14 or 5/15 class review. Created a PowerPoint of their selected country that meets all requirements. Final full-size and detailed color drawing completed for 5/16 or 5/19 review. Started Clay Postcard on 5/16 or 5/19. Clay Postcard was completed and ready for drying on 5/29. Clay Postcard was kiln fired on 6/4. Clay Postcard was ready for sharing critique on 6/11 or 6/12. Clay Postcard and grading packet was turned in on 6/11 or 6/12.50

ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS: 4 3 2 1 0 5” x 7 ½ ” size (large index card) with straight and smooth edges Bas-Relief Clay Sculpture, with maximum 1” extensions from background Unity shown through Repetition, Proximity, and/or Continuation Included a Time Period, Art/Architecture/Landmark, a Figure, and Fads/Fashions of the time. Figure is 7 ½ heads tall and shows the time period Postcard-like appearance:Front - visual communication of a different culture through the use of objects and symbolsBack – written communication from that culture (stamp, message, address) Focal Point located using the Rule of Thirds The Illusion of Depth shown through Atmospheric or Linear Perspective techniques Acrylic Paint finish on both sidesQUALITY OF ARTWORK: 4 3 2 1 0 Creative and interesting idea Well formed bas relief sculpture Neatly and accurately painted and written messageTOTAL: _______________ OUT OF 16 POSSIBLE POINTS = ____________________%LATE POINTS: ____________________FINAL GRADE:51

Name: ___________________________________________In-Progress Critique NotesDirections: Work with a group or partners and fill out thefollowing information. Make sure to elaborate and add details toyour observations.1.) Three ideas that I LIKE are…..because….____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.) Two ideas that NEED TO BE IMPROVED are….because…______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Name: ___________________________________________In-Progress Critique NotesDirections: Work with a group or partners and fill out thefollowing information. Make sure to elaborate and add details toyour observations.1.) Three ideas that I LIKE are…..because….____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.) Two ideas that NEED TO BE IMPROVED are….because…______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________52