Ceramic Picasso Face Vases

Submitted by: Melissa Speelman, Sycamore Junior High Cincinnati, Ohio
Unit: Pablo Picasso - Slab Construction
Lesson Plan: Face Vessels Inspired by Picasso (Cubism)
Grade level: Middle school through high school (adaptable to elementary)

 

Materials:

Moist Clay, Wire End Clay Tool Set, Rolling Pins, guide sticks, Slip, Canvas Rolls, Clay Modeling Tools, Glazes, Brushes

 

Vocabulary:

Score, slip, slab, pinch, coil, Picasso, cubism, Blue Period, glaze

 

Objectives:

1. Create a three or four-sided vessel incorporating abstracted faces on each side. Vessels should be irregular in shape.

2. Demonstrate skills and craftsmanship in working with clay

3. Explore hand-building methods of construction

4. Demonstrate an appreciation and awareness of the work of Pablo Picasso

 

Resources:

Prints of Pablo Picasso cubist style

• Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso
• Guernica by Pablo Picasso
• The Couple by Pablo Picasso
• Three Musicians by Pablo Picasso

Prints of Pablo Picasso "Blue Period"

• Pablo Picasso Blue N.ude
• Picasso Self Portrait
• Yo Picasso by Pablo Picasso

See contemporary artist - Lori Kelley's Picasso pot - from Cincinnati, Ohio (See image at left. Click for full size)

 

The Process:

Sketches:

Begin by planning your design. Decide how many sides you will be using and begin sketches of the shape of your vessel as well as the abstract face designs you will be using. Your base will be a free form design that is larger that your vessel. Remember: The sides can be irregular in shape but MUST have perfectly vertical sides and a horizontal base in order for your sides to fit together.

 

Final Design:

Your final design will be drawn onto idea paper to scale. Remember to include your base which will be a free form shape that is larger than your vessel. You will be using this as a pattern to cut from your clay slab.  Faces should also be drawn onto the pattern. This is a rough draft. Changes may be made once you begin sculpting faces onto clay.

 

Slabs:

Begin by rolling a slab using two slats and a rolling pin. Your slab must be uniform in thickness before you begin cutting. Place pattern pieces onto clay and cut each side carefully.

 

Sculpting:

You must sculpt your faces before constructing your vessel. Be careful not to attach too much clay to each side or you will have a hard time getting your vessel to stand. Remember to SLIP & SCORE!

 

Construction:

Now you are ready to slip and score your sides together and then attach (slip & score) to the base.

Allow to dry and bisque fire. Glaze as desired - apply even coats... These are glazed blue to pay tribute to Picasso's Blue Period