Hispanic Ceramic Suns

Lesson Submitted by: Judy Decker
Grade Level: 6th Grade Lesson Plans
Unit: Pablo Picasso- Cubism
Project: Ceramic Sun

Objectives:

• Art appreciation, art history- Pablo Picasso: Ceramic works

• Understanding of traditional crafts (crafts vs. fine art)

• Understanding ceramic vocabulary

• Explore draped slab technique of forming clay

• Develop skills in manipulating clay; decorating techniques

• Utilize a variety of resources to inspire art

Motivation:

1. Review Video: Picasso: War, Peace, Love - section on ceramics

2. Ceramic work by Picasso- from books and Internet (also Mexican folk Art suns)

3. Examples of ceramic suns (teacher made and student) Talavera Sun on the right.

4. Demonstrations of making ceramic suns- showing emotions

5. Demonstrations of various decorating techniques - majolica, and underglaze

6. Ceramic suns from Internet. Majolica examples from Internet

Resources:

• Resources for this lesson were gathered years ago and printed for students.

• Here is one link for contemporary Mexican Folk Art Suns:

• La Fuente Imports has many ceramic suns.

• Clay suns are still made in Mexico in a place called Metepec by the Nahua Indians, who are descendants of the Aztecs.

• See IAD's page on Picasso

Procedures:

1. Review video on Picasso-

2. Critique work of Picasso and Mexican artist Sandro B. (from Internet) [NOTE: I am unable to find this artist. Is there another name this artist goes by? Please let me know in the comments below if you know.]

3. Review ceramic vocabulary

4. Design sun face on 9" (23 cm) square Tag board. Cut out with Scissors

5. Wedge and roll out slab of Moist Clay (use guide sticks for uniform thickness)

6. Trace Tag board sun onto clay- cut out with potter's needle

7. Drape over plaster hump

8. Add facial features- press or carve in, add by scoring and applying Slip

9. Carve, press in patterns and textures

10. Clean up edges- smooth

11. Glazes after bisque firing- use Underglazes with Clear Glaze over or use Majolica technique.

Evaluation:

Student self-evaluation.

Student critique

Grade form:

6th GRADE Picasso - Ceramic Suns          Name_______________________________

MEXICO

Young artists sculpt Metapec clay suns, creating their own facial expressions and designs using any self-drying craft clay.

Did you know? Mexico is known for its many clay pottery and art forms. Mexican artist Timoteo Gonzalez is thought to be the first potter to make the unusual and delightful clay suns, so much a part of Mexico's tourist trade and folk art. These clay sculptures are called Metapec suns and are painted in bright, expressive designs featuring a variety of facial expressions.

Materials:

• Air-Dry Clay, such as Das Modeling Clay, Pronto , Sculpey, Polymer Clay or Air-Dry Clay

• Model Magic

• Rolling Pins

• Kitchen knife

• Bright Tempera Paint and Brushes

• Crystal Clear Acrylic Spray Paint, optional
  

Process:

1. Work the clay by hand to soften it.
2. Place the clay on a work surface and roll it with a rolling pin to make a slab about the size of a cereal bowl.
3. Cut a circle in the slab the size of the desired sun sculpture. Keep the cut-away scraps of clay to add later for sun's rays and facial features.
4. Think of an expression to put on the sun's face. Sometimes it helps to make faces in a mirror noticing eyebrows, mouth shape and cheeks. Mold features into the sun's face. Holes can be cut for eyes, nose and mouth or added with more clay. Add designs and features to the face with the cut-away scraps. The rays of the sun can influence the expression of the face based on their design, such as straight, sharp, wiggle, thick or pointy.
5. Poke a small hole in the top of the sun for hanging it on a nail when dry.
6. When the sun's facial expression and rays are complete, allow the clay to dry until hard. Depending on the type of clay product selected, this is usually overnight.
7. When the clay is dry, paint the sun's features with bright tempera paints. Let the paint dry.
8. To make the sun sculpture shiny, an adult may spray with a clear hobby coating.
9. When dry, hang the sun face on the wall, on a fence or in a courtyard or patio area.

Copyright © 2004 Bright Ring Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Used here with permission.