# 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.