15 Nov How to Make a Clay Model of a Concave Cockle Shell

We’re back to the cockle shell! If you are following our clay modelling series, you will remember clay model #19, a cockle shell which was modelled while faced downwards. Today, we will be making a clay model of a concave cockle shell. We will be taking that same cockle shell model and positioning it facing upwards. These projects, by the way, come from the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling by Unwin.

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 cockle shell

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Make a Clay Model of a Concave Cockle Shell

The instructions begin by instructing us to make the model twice the original’s size. I think our cockle shell was extra-small, so may have gone even bigger. We also learn that, similar to our last cockle-shell project, we are to make a clay slab away from the armature, since this project does not need the support of the armature.

Once you’ve created a nice, clean and crisp clay slab, you’re going to sketch the outline of the shell onto the slab. You may have to fight off the urge to lay the shell down and to trace around it, but don’t forget that we are making a shell that is twice as big as the original.

Work at building up the shape of the shell inside the outline, making it solid. Begin at the highest parts – for us this the bottom and top portion of the shell. It helps to stop every so often to compare the proportions, masses, shadow, and outlines. Adjust and alter as needed so that your model looks as much like the object as possible.

To finish, we smoothed all of the surfaces and applied the grooves. We tried this with our fingers and with the tool. Our final consensus is to make the lines with the tool and then smooth the lines and edges with a wet finger.

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!