Clay Modelling

This week, we experimented with modelling clay.

Class were asked to experiment with form, texture, and manipulation of the clay, to understand its nature and properties.

In the first half of the session, instruction was given to work in an abstract way and then in the second half, it was 'anything goes'. Many of the first experiments were recycled, but of those that survived long enough, a few were photographed.



Kathy started with some texture experiments from some texture panels brought in by Tracy. This one reminded Kathy of the sea and very soon a little beach scene appeared. (Click on image to enlarge).



Kathy's final piece, was this coil pot. As water was added to keep the clay pliable, it also gained weight and lost its shape. However, a few removed pieces and re-forming brought it back under control.



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Tracy created a number of items, this being one of her more abstract. (Click on image to enlarge).





Frog in progress...



And later, it hugged a stone...



(Click on image to enlarge).

I'm not sure if Tracy said this was seaweed, but its twisted, shredded form offers great opportunities to light it in different ways. (Mouseover to change image).






Richard It's not often that I include my own experiments, but I was quite pleased with the way some of these little pieces turned out. (Click on image to enlarge).



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One other little sculpture... but I can't remember who made it...



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Artificial lighting produced some stronger shadows, but also, due to the camera trying to decide whether the lighting was natural from the window daylight, or wholly artificial from the lamps, some very pleasing effects occurred. As a result of this, I have corrected some of the lighting, but left the rest unchanged for enhanced effect. (A green cutting mat was used as a background for some of the scenes).



Stan took to modelling abstract forms and started to produce some interesting forms. (Click on all image to enlarge).



Artificial lighting produced some enhanced shadows, but also, due to the camera trying to decide whether the lighting was natural from the window daylight, or wholly artificial from the lamps, some very pleasing effects occurred.



(Click on all images below to enlarge).

As if he wasn't being prolific enough, Stan also managed to produce this slightly gruesome, severed hand.

Mags I think Mags may have experimented first, but by the time I reached her, she was hard at work with this little sports car. (Click on image to enlarge).






Lorraine's horse's head seemed to be evolving quite nicely - until she ran out of clay and it had difficulty supporting its own weight. After a few modifications, it was recycled and smaller sculptures were made. (Click on images to enlarge).





These following sculptures have quite an 'ancient civilisation' quality about them. Lorraine produced these very quickly and there's a fresh and Naïve Art quality about them.








Observations

It quickly became apparent, that extra water was needed to keep the modelling clay from drying out too fast and cracking under manipulation.

Some people find it challenging to work in an abstract way and quickly revert to figurative expression in their work.


Nan and Rebecca were away this session.