18 Dec An Introduction to the Handicraft of Clay Modelling

Many years ago, when we first we started homeschooling, I had decided to commit to the Charlotte Mason method of education. However, as a beginner, I found the many aspects of this philosophy overwhelming and intimidating. Despite this, along with my two children, we plunged into the subjects that I deemed most important, pursuing progress over perfection. One item that fell to the bottom of my list was handicrafts. Although I really loved handicrafts, I did not see the educational value in them, and I convinced myself that we did not have time for them. With all of the setup, the pre-learning, then the instruction, and then the cleanup, handicrafts could often take up an entire afternoon!

What is Clay Modelling?

Over time, I researched deeper and deeper into the Charlotte Mason method, reading her Home Education Series, devouring PNEU and L’Umile PIante articles. This is where I encountered clay modelling, one of the initial handicrafts or “work” suggested by Charlotte Mason. Clay modelling is a process of using the hands and occasionally tools to form models out of clay. It is a method of mental and manual instruction intended to develop a child’s artistic abilities.

“…the modelling of a beautiful form is a liberation, or setting free, of the imagination.”

T.G. Rooper, Preface of A Manual of Clay-Modelling

According to the article, Clay Modelling in L’Umile PIante, the teaching of clay modelling is very intentional and focuses on 5 different points:

1. “Form, which includes accuracy of eye and proportion.”
2. “Design, which is of course included in our system but does not play the principle part in it…” It is important that we teach our children to be creative and avoid copying others, while fostering a “spirit of invention and conception.”
3. “Imagination, which exists in all children and is generally lost through lack of practice and wise training.” Imagination “can be trained through design.”
4. “Texture: The eye is first trained to observe differences of texture as, for instance, in the skin of an apple and that of an orange, and the hand is then educated to produce these variations on the clay model.” Encourage the student to find different tools to obtain the texture that they are trying to emulate.
5. “The hand is trained throughout the Course to obey the head.” The example presented in the article is of a child learning to draw. Although the child can see as clearly as the adult, without practice, they are initially unable to draw as they see. They need practice to bring about what their brain sees. It’s the same with clay modelling. Slowly but surely, the hand learns to obey the head.

What are the Benefits of Clay Modelling?

If you’ve followed along with us on our blog for any length of time, you will certainly have encountered our paper sloyd series, where we initially discuss the many benefits of this craft. As I spent more time researching clay modelling, I was surprised to find that the benefits of paper sloyd were very similar to that of clay modelling. Consider this quote from the aforementioned article:

As described by Otto Salomon in The Theory of Educational Sloyd, the real purpose of sloyd – and what makes it so valuable in home education – is:

“It gives a taste of rough labor as distinguished from clerky accomplishments; it cultivates manual dexterity, self-reliance, accuracy, carefulness, patience, perseverance, and especially does it train the faculty of attention and develop the powers of concentration.”

Sloyd also serves to develop the powers of observation, it helps to train the imagination, and it helps develop language. It instills the habits of best effort, as the children learn to be exact in their work, and it and encourages cleanliness, as the student learns to work in a neat environment and clean up after themselves. .As they progress, children will learn independence, as well as a respect for honest and hard work. As it turns out, the qualities and skills developed while learning sloyd have a great influence on many of the other subjects in school.

In the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling, the author, Hermione Unwin lists a series of 9 principal powers which clay modelling develops, several of them the same as above:

• Observation
• Accuracy, especially in the perception of form
• Dexterity of hand
• Sense of form and proportion
• Greater power in drawing
• Love and appreciation of the beautiful in form
• Enjoyment of the creative power in oneself
• Perseverance and patience
• Concentration of the attention

Additionally, clay modelling can motivate a child to think and use their imagination, developing their artistic abilities, even at a young age.

Materials Needed

• Modeling Clay (the book suggests red terra cotta clay)
• Clay modeling tools
• An modelling board with an armature
• Small jars for water with a small sponge or paper towel
• The book, A Manual of Clay Modelling by Hermione Unwin (or free online HERE). This book was originally published in 1912 and was used by the PNEU.

Preparing to Teach Clay Modelling in Your Homeschool

How to teach clay modelling in the homeschool is what really got me stuck. I had no knowledge of clay modelling – how was I to teach my children?! The very idea was overwhelming. But as all of Charlotte Mason’s instructions, when you allow common sense and simplicity to lead, beauty and knowledge seem to emerge. So here are some of the commonsense suggestions that will help you start teaching with confidence:

• Think of your clay modelling lessons as a break from the more academic subjects. Children’s brains need a break and this is a great way to achieve this and to bring joy to the homeschool.
• Homeschool lessons in clay modelling lessons can start around age 6, or as early as possible.
• The models in the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling (which is what we will be using), are presented in order of difficulty, so that is the order in which we will do them.
• As with paper sloyd, start simple. Use simple, but beautiful forms to model, preferably from nature. These will be interesting to children because they have already established relationships or connections with these objects and will recognize the beauty of them. Avoid geometric forms as they are boring and uninteresting. Even when using objects from nature, however, make sure that the student understands that the model that they are creating “is a work of art, and not Nature.”
• Start with clean hands and an apron or paint shirt to protect clothing. Enforce the importance of cleanliness throughout the lesson.

Helpful Suggestions for Teaching Clay Modelling

• Each student should have their own model to examine, so that each child can get full benefit of everything that can be learned from this handicraft.
• Place the object in a natural position.
• Start by examining the object closely, observing and feeling the texture.
• The goal is to model the chosen object as accurately as possible. In fact it should be so accurate that one can forget that they are even looking at clay.
• If you turn the object, be sure to turn your own work as well, so that you can take into consideration the light and shadows.
• It’s important that the student has full access to all angles and sides of their model. An armature will help with this (see our next post).
• Create all models (unless specifically instructed otherwise) on a slab of clay, which will first be made by the student. This is intended to show the surroundings.
• For the most part, use the thumb and forefinger when manipulating the clay. Alternatively, you can use your wooden or metal tools.
• Keep the fingers and tools damp and clean.
• Build up from small to large. With clay modelling, you are adding clay as you go, not subtracting it as you would with sculpture.
• Go from general to specific, from top to bottom.

How to Schedule Clay Modelling in the Homeschool

In the homeschool, clay modelling should typically be done for one term out of the year. In the early elementary years, handicrafts are scheduled during the morning hours, for four times per week for 20 minutes. Now, if you’re going to get things done in 20 minutes, you will need to prepare yourself! Have the lesson ready, and all of your materials set up and ready to go. Four times a week may seem like a lot initially but remember why you are doing this! The purpose is not just to learn how to create clay models. You will be teaching the skills of attention, focus, proficiency, accuracy, etc. As your students learn these skills, they will become more and more independent and will eventually be able to do this work by themselves in the afternoon.

As the child gets older, clay modelling lessons should take about one hour. This doesn’t mean the student must complete the model in that hour. Each object may take several lessons to complete. Go at the student’s pace. If you need to save clay models for the next week, wrap it in a damp paper towel and seal the entire project, including the modelling board and armature in a Ziplock bag. You may have to throw in a few more drops of water halfway through the week to keep the paper towel damp. You just don’t want water gathering at the bottom.

The plan is not to keep every model made. So, when done for the week, break apart the model, putting the pieces back into the original bag of clay along with some water. Squeeze it together from the outside of the bag, until it is forming into a ball. If the student wants to keep their piece, allow it to dry slightly. Then remove the slab from the board with your wire and it will come off of the armature. Then allow it to dry before firing it in a kiln, or simply baked in your oven.

Are You Ready to Get Started?

So now are you ready to start clay modelling in your homeschool? Come and join us as we work through the 60 models in the book, A Manual of Clay Modelling. We have no experience in this, but we are going to figure it out and to share our experience with you. Our plan is to post videos of each of our attempts on our YouTube channel, Happy Handicrafts for you to watch and hopefully learn from. We look forward to seeing you there!

References:

Unwin, Hermione. A Manual of Clay-Modelling

L’Umile PIante: For the Children’s Sake. 1896, July. pages 4-8