Three owls of clay

Artworks are made by students of grade 5

You need:

1. clay


2. two beer coasters stapled together


3. clay plate


4. clay knife

In this lesson students will sculpt three massive forms together and then decorate them.

View pictures of owls and talk about the basic shapes: an oval for the body, round eye shapes, conical beak and plumes (note, these are not ears, because they are on the side of the head).

Students make three egg shapes in different sizes. The pointed end is the bottom of the owl. Modell these shapes together. Work out the shapes by attaching wings, beaks, plumes, eyes etc. The wings are made from flattened clay balls. To attach the wings, roughen the bonding side and press the wing firmly on the body.

Do the same with beak and plume using a conical shape. Make eyes by pressing the finger in the head. Apply texture to the wings, the body and around the eyes using a clay knife or little sticks.

Place the work on two stapled beer coasters. Let it dry for a few weeks before baking.