“Clay Picasso Portraits”

Lesson Plan

Step 1: Sketch and Create Base Before getting out the clay, have students sketch out their Picasso-inspired faces on paper. Have students experiment with having multiple perspectives in their design, like mixing a straight on view with a profile.

Next, have students create the base for their project. It should be a slab cut into a simple shape. Make sure students write their name on the back at this point.

Step 2: Add Profile and Details Once their base is complete, have students cut out a different perspective, like a profile, from another slab, and attach it to the base.

Then, have students use additive and subtractive techniques to create facial features. Texture tools can also be used to add interest.

Grades 3-5

Form

Step 3: Add Color After firing, have students carefully add color using acrylic paint or bright glazes.  

Tip: Encourage students to emphasize each facial feature so it can be easily identified. For example, ensuring an eye has an iris, pupil, and eyelashes.  

Tip: Encourage students to keep their painting and glazing simple and to focus on craftsmanship so their clay details don’t get lost.

Get more plans | www.theartofed.com

Objective: Create face inspired by Picasso by using basic clay construction skills.

Materials • Clay • Clay tools • Texture plates • Acrylic paint or brightly colored glazes

Motivation • Introduce students to Pablo Picasso.

• Read the book When Pigasso Met Mootisse.

• Discuss the unique features of a Picasso-inspired face.

• Play a Roll-A-Picasso face game.