12 Jul How to Make a Clay Model of a Chestnut

Today, we will be making a clay model of a chestnut. The chestnut is the 16th model from the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling by Unwin. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a chestnut?! I know they can be found in abundance around Christmas time – for all of those who want to roast them on an open fire – but it’s a very different story in the middle of summer! This has become our biggest challenge related to clay modelling – finding the object for the lesson!

The skill we began learning in this lesson was how to add a little more shape and detail to our model.

This model was made on a clay slab, using the armature. Because it is so small in size, it is necessary to enlarge the model to about twice its natural size.

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)
• An 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 chestnut

Happy Handicrafts Video: Crafting a Clay Chestnut Model: A Step-by-Step Guide

The book directs us to build up the mass of the object on the slab, around the armature. We took a little exception to that and built up the mass in our hands in order to get the basic circle shape. Then, we pressed it onto the armature and shaped it from there.

We continuously compared the object to the model, shaping and smoothing the model to achieve optimal likeness. The point was shaped and smoothed with a wet finger, and then we focused on the outline of the scar. To complete our clay model of a chestnut, we outlined the scar and filled in the details.

If you would like to follow along with us in our homeschool handicraft adventures, jump over to our YouTube channel, Happy Handicrafts. You can choose from the different Handicraft Playlists and craft along with us! We add a new video every week!