Clay Sculpture and The African-American American Face Jug 3D Design Cylinders (918A, 928G, 938D) Objectives: Students will find inspiration for a 3D clay sculpture from a variety of sources; most notably, African- American Face Jugs or Ugly Jugs, cylinder themed sculptures, student samples and personal interests will inspire the form. Students will produce a sketch for a 3D clay sculpture that is based on the cylinder and has a focal point of emphasis created through detailing and facial expression. Students will demonstrate proper hand building technique in the production of the sculptural form; hollow slab construction, use patterns when necessary, score and slip to combine clay surfaces, refinement of form. Students will demonstrate proper glaze technique. Resources: Face Jug Power Point PBS History Detectives video, African-American Face Jugs Jim The Black Potter McDowell s website, for inspirational examples of face jugs Potter Frank Sullivan s website, Mudcat Pottery a variety of face jug links and other inspirational forms Sample pottery Lesson 1: Introduction to African American face jugs,, art notes, idea sketch (1 period) Materials: All resources listed above 9x12 white Pencil Variety of markers for taking art notes Anticipatory Set: Inspiration- Write the word inspiration onto the 9x12 sketch paper or the face jug pdf worksheet. Inspiration is an influence that compels you to do well. Write a sentence about the last time that you were inspired to do something well/think about the last time that you were influenced to do well. Today you will be inspired by a variety of art, but most notably, by African-American art that dates back to mid 19 th century. The face jug or ugly jug was made by slaves and freedmen in the Edgefield District of South Carolina. The jugs served many functions, one as grave markers to ward off the devil and provide safe passage for the soul to heaven. 1. Students will be introduced to African-American Face Jug pottery with a variety of resources. Show power point for examples Show the History Detectives PBS video about a face jug that was found in Eastern PA. 2. Students will take art notes while watching the power point and other supplemental videos, etc. 3. Art notes - Complete multiple inspiration/idea for the 3D sculpture that are based on the face jug cylinder form. 4. Students will create emphasis within the sculpture through the use of details and facial expressions. 5. Teacher will collect all. Lesson 2: Proper desk set-up, materials, organize trays (15-20 minutes) 1. Students will be introduced to clay materials and room organization. 2. Set-up trays; names on tape. 3. If needed, time may be set aside for students to complete from first lesson.
Lesson 3: Teacher demonstrations; basic slab construction, score and slip (approx. 1 period) Anticipatory set: Dig the well before you are thirsty. Students copy this Chinese proverb onto their.. Discuss prep needed to work with clay. Materials: See set up transparency, 5 ½ x 8 ½ manila pattern for f cylinder, clay, tools, cut paper towels, dowels, rolling pin, document camera for demo close-ups 1. DIG THE WELL Teacher demonstrate proper set-up of desk with clay sculpture materials; manila paper mat, tools, slip pot, brush, rolling pin, dowels, plastic knife, sculpture sketch, patterns, water, paper towel. 2. Teacher demonstrate proper hand building of the cylinder: a. Prepare slip for use when connecting elements, i.e. Cylinder to base, handle to cylinder, facial features to cylinder. Students must always score and slip the elements together. b. Demonstrate use of dowels and rolling pin to roll out slab to even consistency. Use 5 ½ x 8 ½ manila patterns to cut out needed slab shape for the jug cylinder. c. Demonstrate addition of cylinder base; score and slip the cylinder to a slab of proper thickness and then cut off excess to make round bottom of cylinder. d. Explain clay handling philosophy: Students will treat the clay like a toddler. If students treat the clay gently, pay close attention to it and guide it carefully, the clay will perform as needed. This is a handling philosophy gotten from a friend who is a local potter, Rick Oldhouser. This philosophy has served us well in recent years. 3. Teacher will complete today s demos by showing how to properly clean up and preserve the clay for next class period. a. All materials returned properly b. Sculptures will be covered gently with a dampened paper towel. Cover scraps of clay in the same manner. Save all scraps for use in addition of handles, details and features. c. Cover all trays with a recycled dry cleaner bag. Tuck bag in all the way around the tray when placing on the shelf. d. Return all to basket. 4. Students will attempt to use the scraps for the remainder of the construction of the face jug. If that is not enough clay then should get new or reclaimed clay from the front table. Therefore, scraps should be kept moist with damp towels and covered along with form. 5. All used clay and scraps that need to be reclaimed by pug mill will be placed in green buckets at front left counter. 6. If time allows, students use remaining minutes to revisit. Lesson 4: Students set-up properly and produce basic cylinder form for sculpture (1-2 periods) Anticipatory set: How will you handle your clay today and everyday? You will treat it like a toddler. :o) Teacher Materials: Document camera for demo of close-ups, materials list for students 1. Set up properly: transparency make your desk look like the drawing. 2. Revisit the sketch, use of a rectangular pattern, use of dowels and rolling pins, score and slip. 3. Students set up desks. 4. Students get a pattern and large clay slab. Roll out slab and form cylinder. 5. Today s Goal - Produce the basic cylinder form and add the base for stability.
Lesson 5: Complete jug forms; addition of jug top and handles Anticipatory set: Continue to dig the well Students will make decisions regarding the jug top and the handle or handles. Add necessary to the original and see some contemporary face jugs made by a potter named Kevin Haney at Red Dog Pottery. http://www.reddogspottery.com/face_jugs.htm Teacher Materials: Document camera for demo of closeclose-ups, materials list for students 1. Teacher will demonstrate completion of the jug, and addition of handles. a. Divide the top of the cylinder into 4 parts. Place a notch at north, south, east and west. b. Cut a triangular dart at each notch. The wider and deeper the darts, the more drastic the angle will be at the top of the jug. c. Score and slip all edges carefully. d. Fold in the flaps until they touch to create the curved top of the jug. e. An extended, taller top can be added. This will require a bracelet of clay the thickness of the dowels. f. The handle or handles should also be cut from clay slabs that are the thickness of the dowels so that they are sturdy. g. When attaching the handles do so by scoring and slipping a flat surface and not just the tips of the handle. h. See the pictures below for further details on tops and handles for the jugs. 2. Students will complete the top of the jug and add the handles after the demo.
A variety of jug tops and handles can be produced by varying the size of the notched darts and the size of the handle or handles. Students will want to have a plan in place for the facial features that will work with the top of the jug that is being formed. Lesson 6: Add Features to Face Jugs (2 periods) Anticipatory setset- Begin with the nose Show power point slide and students sketch front and side view of nose that they will add to jug. Teacher Materials: Document camera for demo of closeclose-ups, materials list for students 1. Students will sketch ideas for front and side view of a nose for the jug. 2. Teacher will demonstrate how to make a basic nose form from a chunk of clay that was a scrap or reclaimed clay from the pug mill. See samples below. Watch the video of Janice Hall Shields forming features for a face jug. She makes it look so easy! Here is a link and there is one in the Moodle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyuepw6wp2s&feature=related 3. Teacher demo how to attach nose by score and slip. Also demo how to roll coils and use scraps for making other details; eyes, mouth, moustaches, ears, horns, etc. 4. The nose will be made and attached first and then students may continue to add the other features. 5. All added elements must be scored and slipped in place. 6. Excess scrap clay will be reclaimed with pug mill. At the end of the 2nd period, students will complete all final refining of the face jug and add initials to the bottom in preparation for bisque fire.
***Some contemporary face jug artists like to add inspirational messages to the back of the jug. Jim McDowell s work demonstrates this technique. Allow face jug sculptures s to dry. Bisque fire the face jugs at cone 04. Lesson 7: Face Jug Sculpture Evaluation Students will complete the evaluation and submit to the proper folder for their section. Lesson 8: Glazing the Face Jug (2 periods) Anticipatory set- How is glaze like icing on a cake? Show students multiple examples of glazed sculptures. Materials: manila mat, sculpture, glaze plan, glaze, brushes 1. Teacher will demonstrate proper glaze technique; a. Carry glaze by the jar and not the lid. b. Shake the jar after checking for tightness in the lid. c. Use glaze appropriate brushes. d. Have the inside of the jug poured by the teacher. e. Apply 2 brushed coats of glaze to the outside of the jug. f. Keep the jug dry footed ; no glaze on the bottom. 2. Students will complete a glaze plan by choosing glaze colors and labeling the sketch that is on the project evaluation. Label with color and series of glaze chosen. Students need to know the series so that they can locate the color in the closet. 3. Students will properly glaze the face jug. Fire the face jugs at cone 05.