09 Aug How to Make a Clay Model of a Carrot

We are back today to make a clay model of a carrot. Let’s get a big cheer for the fact that we didn’t have to substitute or spend an entire day hunting all over town for our model! This one was sitting in our kitchen pantry, just waiting to be used. The carrot is model #18 from the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling by Unwin.

This model brought together the last several lessons, providing valuable practice in creating forms, modelling the form, and adding detail to that form.

Materials Needed

• The book, A Manual of Clay Modelling by Hermione Unwin (or free online HERE)
• Modeling Clay (the book suggests red terra cotta clay)
• Clay modeling tools (this kit includes many tools, along with a sponge and wire to cut the clay)
• A modelling board with an armature – hopefully you’ve made this with us already
• A bowl of water
• An apron or paint shirt to protect your clothing
• Newspaper, or plastic covering to protect your table
• A carrot

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Make a Clay Model of a Carrot

The Process

Begin by washing your carrot and trimming the leaves, if there are any, to about 1/2″ in length. Our carrot came from the grocery store, so there weren’t any leaves – just a little stub.

This model, as always, began with making an oblong slab for the carrot to rest on. The slab needed to be thick enough that the armature would not protrude out from the carrot, and so that the armature was positioned at one end. The plan is that the thickest part of the carrot will bury the armature.

The instructions tell us to proceed as for Model #7, which was a pea pod. To do this, we built up the mass of the object with the clay, making it just slightly smaller than the original, so that we could add clay during the modelling phase. We then applied the length of clay onto the armature, with the thickest portion over the armature.

Before continuing we did a careful comparison of the object and the model. We then proceeded to model the top first, and then the part underneath.

Round out the thick end with your fingers and make a depression in the middle of it. This is where you are going to put some clay for the stalks. Wet the depressed area and press in some clay. Then using a tool, cut the clay to look like the stalks.

To finish, copy the marks on the carrot as closely as possible.

Are You New Here?

If you’re just finding our clay modelling handicraft series, be sure to visit our YouTube channel, Happy Handicrafts. There, you’ll find several playlists of different handicrafts. We’ve made each video with homeschool families in mind. We recognize that not all homeschool families love crafting – in fact, I know many homeschool moms who absolutely hate crafts of any sort! That’s where we come in. We are the crafty part of your village. All you need to do is go to our YouTube channel, pick a playlist that you think your children will enjoy and start with the first video. (Moms can join in too!)

I hope this helps!