Directions: (2 MINUTES)

1.Prepare a 1/4 sheet of yellow pad paper

2. Write your:

NAME:

SECTION:

DATE TODAY:

ACTIVITY TITLE:

SCULPTING A CLAY:
HOW TO SCULPT A
CLAY
• Sculpting clay is a great way to engage your
creative side!

• Clay can be sculpted into decorative or

functional pieces. It can be messy, so make
sure to cover your work surface and wear old
clothes.

• Sculpt the clay using basic hand techniques

and add decorative patterns using simple
household items.
Part 1 Practicing Sculpting Techniques
• 1. Knead (masahin) the clay using your palms. Place the
clay on a hard surface that is covered with newspaper.

• Knead the clay to make it more pliable and to remove any

air bubbles. Use a popsicle stick to cut your clay in half
and then place one half on top of the other.

• Press the 2 pieces of clay together using the palms of

your hands.

• Once again cut the clay in half and repeat the process of
pushing the halves together.
 • Repeat this process until all the clay has an even
texture and there are no air bubbles.

• This can take up to 50 kneads.

• Try to use your palms instead of your fingertips

when pushing the clay down.
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2
• Try the pinch method for an easy first project.
• This ancient and popular method of sculpting clay
is achieved by pinching it with your fingers.
• Use your fingers to pinch or push sections of the
clay to create your desired shapes.
• Pinch pots can be used to help create different
structures, such as heads, cars or animal bodies.
• Try shaping a simple bowl using the pinch method:
• Take a fist-sized piece of clay and roll into a ball.
• Place the ball down on your hard surface and push it down
slightly so that it has a flat bottom and can stand by itself.
• Gently push your thumb into the middle of the bowl to
create a small dent. Don’t press any further than your first
knuckle.
• This hole makes the opening of the bowl.
• Place your thumb inside the bowl and your index finger
outside the bowl.
• Pinch them together and pull them up to create the sides
of the bowl.
• Keep pinching and pulling the bowl until you are happy
with its shape and size.
• 3 Roll lumps of clay to create coils.
• Break the clay into lumps of the same size.
• Choose a lump size that is appropriate for the size of the item
you are hoping to sculpt.
• Roll each lump on the table into a ball.
• Slightly press down on each ball and roll it back and forth using
the palms of your hands.
• Roll the coil in different spots until it is an even width.
• Stop rolling once the coils are your desired width and length.
• If you are wanting to make a vessel from your coils, note that a
longer coil will make a wider structure and a shorter coil will
create a narrower structure.
• Coils are useful for creating many sculptures and details such
as caterpillars, eyebrows or patterns.