Ceramics/Self-Portrait Relief Sculpture

Unit: Sculpture

Lesson: Self-Portrait Relief Sculpture

Grade Level: High School

Overview: This project is introduced as a “self-portrait” project in which the students create their own self-image onto a piece of paper. They will then use this “self-portrait” to create a three-dimensional relief sculpture, using the medium of clay.

Allotted Time: 2 ½ weeks (on block-scheduling—90 minutes/class period)

Teacher Materials:
 * Computer (slideshow)
 * Projector
 * White Board (or the like, used as projection screen)
 * Photocopier
 * Paper
 * Kiln

Student Materials:
 * Paper
 * Drawing/Painting Supplies
 * Pens
 * Pencils
 * Paint
 * Markers
 * Pastels
 * Canvas Cloth Surface
 * Clay
 * Clay Tools
 * Rolling Pin
 * Bowls of Water
 * Glazes/Underglazes (and/or acrylic paints)

Day by Day Procedure:
 * Week 1: Self-Portrait
 * Day 1
 * 20 Minutes: Explain the concept of self-portraits, defined by Merriam-Webster Online as “a portrait of oneself done by oneself,” noting that they can be as literal or figurative as the artist desires. Present a slideshow presentation consisting of many different types of self-portraits, emphasizing the fact that the artist can be as creative as they like in portraying their own image.


 * Effective Pictorial Examples:


 * Chuck Close, Study for Self-Portrait, 1968
 * Photo realism


 * Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait, 1889
 * True-to-life, realistic representation


 * Pierre Bonnard, Self-Portrait in the Bathroom Mirror, 1939
 * Realistic representation—less detailed and more conceptual


 * Picasso, Self-Portrait, 1907
 * Simplified self-image in the style of cubism


 * Jenny Dubnau, Self-Portrait as Liar, 2005
 * Exaggerated features


 * Fred Mandell, Self-Portrait, 2001
 * Non-traditional


 * Additional picture resources can be found at: http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/s/self-portrait.html


 * 5 Minutes: Pass out supplies (paper and drawing/painting materials)
 * 5 Minutes: Answer any questions
 * 50 Minutes: Have students brainstorm and draw a couple of preliminary self-portrait sketches. Walk around the class and observe, answering any questions that may arise while giving suggestions and constructive criticism.
 * 10 Minutes: Clean up and pack up.
 * Day 2
 * 10 Minutes: Review the previous day’s info-session, allowing the floor to be open for questions.
 * 5 Minutes: Pass out drawing/painting supplies
 * 65 Minutes: Student work-time—Walk around the classroom and observe, once again answering questions while giving suggestions and constructive criticism.
 * 10 Minutes: Clean up and pack up.
 * Days 3, 4
 * Student work-time.
 * Day 5
 * Self-Portraits due.

Before assigning the next part of the project, make sure to photocopy each of the students’ self-portraits, having both the original and photocopy ready to give back to the students for the following portion.


 * Week 2: Relief Sculpture
 * Day 1
 * 20 Minutes: Give a brief PowerPoint presentation outlining the concept of creating a relief sculpture, which is, as noted by Slobodkin in the book Sculpture: Principles and Practice, simply the objective of “creat[ing] within a materially limited area the illusion of a full-bodied shape.” Once again, use pictures as examples to back up your explanation.


 * Effective Pictorial Examples:


 * http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/quercia/quercia.html


 * 10-15 Minutes: Inform the students that they are to make a relief sculpture from their previously drawn self-portraits. Then, demonstrate the process of making a relief sculpture.
 * 5 Minutes: Pass out all Supplies (clay, clay tools, etc.)
 * 40 Minutes: Student work-time—Walk around the classroom and observe, once again answering questions while giving suggestions and constructive criticism.
 * 10 Minutes: Clean up and pack up.
 * Days 2, 3
 * Student work-time.
 * Days 4, 5
 * Students should be underglazing their pieces and have them ready for bisque firing.


 * Week 3: Finishing Touches
 * Days 1, 2
 * Students overglaze their pieces, having them ready for firing.
 * Day 3
 * All projects are due.

Resource:
 * Slobodkin, Louis. Sculpture: Principles and Practice.  New York, NY: Dover Publications, Inc., 1949.