Lazy Day Art
Have you had enough rain? What are you going to do when your children have had enough of Nickelodeon/GPB tv , the movies on Netflix? Let’s do art projects!
To begin with let me give you the low down on different kinds of clay sold in big box stores. (Not the earthenware clay from Lizella Clay Company that I would buy when I taught art at Stratford) I have recently found out the Crayola Play dough product has changed a bit and isn’t has sticky as it used to be. I have also fallen in love with Crayola’s Air dry clay. It is so similar to earthenware clay, and you don’t need a kiln. Buy the white kind. It looks gray but dries white, and that makes it easier to paint. All of these clays are Crayola products. I like Model magic and the air dry clay over Play dough because of the length of time they can be handled by children before they lose their elasticity. When that happens, all three can be moistened with water. Also, I like to use Model Magic with preschoolers and kindergarteners. The air dry clay with first graders and up.
Why did I start with clay? Boys love it and they need to pound on something to get all the heebie-jeebies out.
Begin by getting a plastic placemat or cutting board with a slight texture and putting a hand towel under it to keep it from wiggling. You will also need a small container for some water, small wooden skewer or a wooden pencil, a plastic knife, and the clay of your choice.
Whatever you decide to make, a pinch pot is a good beginning shape to make. Just form a ball with your hands, insert a thumb, and pinch out the sides. If the sides of the pot are thick enough, you can make additions by adding a little water to the additions and scoring them with the pencil or skewer to help the additions stick. Smooth the additions on to the pot. My students have made a variety of pots, cups, selfie busts, and animals using this basic method. Have fun!! Mizz Mac
