The boys and I have been having fun with clay during art class this year. It's something totally different for us and we're still in the experimenting stages. One of our experiments was with texture. It was so fun, I thought we'd share it with you as our project for the month.
Supplies:
modeling clay (we use sculpey)
a rolling pin
assorted items from around the house: tapestry pins, lace, sticks, slinky, straws, rubber stamps, aluminum foil, buttons, paper clips, silk flower, leaves... You get the picture:)
Approximate cost: $2 for the clay
Directions:
Soften your clay by working it in your hands until it is soft, and roll out the clay into a thick layer.
Press items one by one into the clay. This texture is from a balled up piece of foil.
Or combine several objects on the same layer of clay to vary the textures. This one is a combination of sticks, a small knife, and a tracing paper wheel.
Want more of a challenge? Pick one item and use it in several different ways to make different textures. Both the design above and below were made using a tapestry needle. The tip was used to poke the clay, the "eye" was pressed into the clay to for a sort of long skinny u-shape, the long part of the needle was used to create lines.
When the clay is filled with texture work it in your hands again, roll it out, and start all over.
The great thing about this project is that it can last as long as the kids are interested. Have a child with a short attention span? They can be done in just few minutes. Have a future artist with the patience of Job? They could sit for hours and create different designs/textures.
Show off your textures by sharing them on the Kid's Craft Along flickr group!
