Unit 5
Bust
1. Wedge clay, create 2 pinch pots, and score together to create a cylindrical shape for the head. Press into an axe-head shape, with more bulk at the back of the skull
2. Form a cylinder, pulling out a base for the shoulders. Score the head onto the neck and smooth.
3. Using reference, draw a guideline for the placement of the eyes, nose and mouth. Take a look tool to create eye sockets.
4. On a separate flat piece of clay, take a cylinder, sphere, and two smaller balls to create a nose shape. Smooth these shapes together, then poke out indicators for the nostrils. Since my reference has a button nose, I used my palm to turn the nose up. Score the nose onto the center of the face.
5. Score and slip on two cylinder shapes for the lips, using a loop tool to indicate the mouth. Use to loop tool to form a philtrum.
6. Use a loop tool to dig out the eye socket. Form two balls and put them in, then use a needle to draw out the iris. Flatten out shapes for the eyelids, then score and slip them over the eyes. Use a flat piece of clay and score it on to form a forehead.
7. Use a needle tool to draw on eyebrows. Then, score and slip on flat sheets for the hair, pinching at the end to create wispiness.
Reflection:
This was really fun. I didn't end up firing it because I have no use for a bust. My reference was actress Sissy Spacek; my version looks pretty much nothing like her. The nose definitely came out too big and her face shape is really off. Still, it was really fun to try and make a person, even if it was really difficult. I would like to try again next semester and work on making more accurate likenesses.
Current Artist
Plan:
1. Wedge clay and separate into two cubes. Press the sides of the cubes, forming them into rectangles, one larger than the other. Hollow each out through the bottom.
2. On the larger rectangle, round the edges slightly. Using a loop tool, scrape out a shape for the screen. Score and slip on four squares on the corners for the feet of the TV.
3. Score and slip on two knobs, then use a needle tool to create the speakers.
4. On the smaller rectangle, use a loop tool to scrape out the shape of the screen, then score and slip on three knobs and use a needle tool to create the speaker.
5. Score the smaller rectangle onto the larger one.
6. Form 3 small worm shapes, pressing them down to flare them at the top. Score and slip them to make ears and a tail.
7. Midfire, then glaze and midfire again.
Reflection:
This piece was based on 'Dogmatic' by Nam June Paik. It's not entirely accurate, since the hammer feet seemed too flimsy to recreate. Overall, though, I am proud of this. I'm very happy that the man on the screen is still distinct. It's not as detailed as I would have liked it, and if I redid it I probably would've put a little more effort into all the knobs and details on the TV, but it' still cute and more or less accurate to the original.
Mask
1. Wedge clay, then flatten with the slab roller. Cut into an ellipse shape, then bend upward to create a curved face.
2. Cut out two eyeholes with a fettling knife. Using a loop tool, carve out an area above the eyeholes to indicate a brow. Score and slip on a flat piece of clay to create a forehead.
3. Separately create a nose by scoring together a long tube, a large sphere, and two smaller spheres for the nostrils.
4. Score and slip on two worm shapes for the lips, then use a loop tool to indicate the mouth.
5. Form a cylinder, pinching the end to make a horn shape. Use a loop tool to hollow it, then cut a matching hole on the forehead. Score and slip them together..
6. Fire, glaze, and fire again at cone 05-06.
Reflection:
This mask was based on the 'kagutaba' mask from the movie Noroi: The Curse. I am really happy with this, and it looks pretty accurate to the movie version. I am especially happy with the glazing; I mixed the green-grey color myself and I really like how it looks. I did the rusty brown color on the forehead by sponging it on and the effect is very cool. Overall, I am really happy with how this came out!