Clay Busts of Famous People

Students in Art 1 and Art Appreciation learned basic techniques for working with clay as they sculpted a small clay bust of a famous person.  

First, students created a basic human head as they learned about the long history of clay busts, and measured out the basic proportions of the human head. 

Henry works on his sculpture

Next, each student received a random photograph of a famous person. Students watched several demonstrations over the course of a few days on how to create a likeness to a specific person.  

In the meantime they learned to roll a coil and how to slip and score two pieces of clay together so they won't come apart. Slowly through close observation, students transformed their general human head into a rendition of their famous person. 

Hannah and Jasmine work on their sculptures

After all the heads were finished, students continued to learn about the craft and process of sculpting using clay as they hollowed out their heads. 

Justin Bieber by Sam C.

The finished clay busts look super wonderful!

Liv Tyler by Jenny

Obama by Vinnie

Henry's finished sculpture of John Stewart

Blake Shelton by Sophia

Tracy Morgan by Alicia

After students finished sculpting they voted on the sculpture that they felt looked the most like the photograph.  Queen Elizabeth was one of the winners below.  :)

Queen Elizabeth by Mariel

Will Ferrell by Monika

 NOW the clay busts are dried out and on their way to be fired in the kiln.  Look out for a cart with lots of clay heads on it!