Submitted
by: Melissa Speelman, Sycamore Junior High Cincinnati, Ohio
Unit: Pablo Picasso - Slab Construction
Lesson Plan: Face Vessels Inspired by Picasso (Cubism)
Grade level: Middle school thru high school (adaptable to elementary)
Materials:
Clay
, Clay Tools, Rolling Pins
, guide sticks, Slip
, Canvas Cloth
, Modeling Tools
, Glazes, Brushes
Vocabulary:
Score, slip, slab, pinch, coil, Picasso, cubism, Blue Period, glaze
Objectives:
- Create
a three or four-sided vessel incorporating
abstracted
faces on each side. Vessels
should be irregular in shape.
- Demonstrate
skills and craftsmanship in working with clay
- Explore
hand-building methods of construction
- Demonstrate
an appreciation and awareness of the work of Pablo Picasso
Resources:
Prints of Pablo Picasso cubist style
Prints of Pablo Picasso "Blue Period"
See contemporary artist - Lori
Kelley's Picasso pot - from Cincinnati, Ohio
The Process:
Sketches:
Begin by planning your design.
Decide how many sides you will be using and begin sketches of the
shape of your vessel as well as the abstract face designs you will be
using. Your base will be a
free form design that is larger that your vessel. Remember: The
sides can be irregular in shape but MUST have perfectly vertical sides
and a horizontal base in order for your sides to fit together.
Final Design:
Your final design will be drawn onto idea paper to scale. Remember to include your base which will be a free form
shape that is larger than your vessel.
You will be using this as a pattern to cut from your clay slab.
Faces should also be drawn onto the pattern.
This is a rough draft. Changes
may be made once you begin sculpting faces onto clay.
Slabs:
Begin
by rolling a slab using two slats and a rolling pin. Your slab must be uniform in thickness before you begin
cutting. Place pattern
pieces onto clay and cut each side carefully.
Sculpting:
You must sculpt your faces before constructing your vessel.
Be careful not to attach too much clay to each side or you will
have a hard time getting your vessel to stand.
Remember to SLIP &
SCORE!
Construction:
Now you are ready to slip and score your sides together and then
attach (slip & score) to the base.
Allow
to dry and bisque fire
Glaze
as desired - apply even coats.....These are glazed blue to pay tribute
to Picasso's Blue Period
