19 Apr How to Make a Clay Model of a Laurel Leaf

Today we are continuing to work through the book, A Manual of Clay-Modeling by Unwin. In this post, we are going to be making model #9, which is a clay model of a laurel leaf. This model worked up very differently than the previous ones, so be sure to follow along on our video below to see how we did it. We found it a little more difficult and a little more labor-intensive, but still enjoyable and rewarding.

Our big challenge this week was finding a laurel leaf. Should I be embarrassed that I had to google this? I learned that a laurel leaf is the same thing as a bay leaf. Great! We had dried bay leaves in our spice cabinet. But it turned out that dried bay leaves look pathetic beside fresh laurel leaves. So, we decided to compromise, and find a leaf that was similar to a laurel leaf.

We looked through the neighborhood, took a trip to a local nursery, and eventually found what we were looking for in our own back yard!

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 laurel leaf

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Make a Clay Model of a Laurel Leaf

As mentioned before, this model was worked up very differently from previous models. Although we did make a clay slab to build the laurel leaf on, we did not use the support of the armature. After creating the slab, with a margin of about 1/2″ around, we sketched the outline of the leaf onto the slab with a tool. The book specifies that you should not lay the leaf down on the slab and trace it around.

Next, you are to build up the model, staying inside the outline. We are then directed to work from the highest to the lowest parts. For us, this looked like creating an oval-ish part that we laid down on the slab. We then kept the higher parts and removed the lower parts, slowly shaping the leaf.

The next part was to cut out the clay underneath the model, especially around the edges, giving it an appearance of resting gently on the slab.

After finishing, we looked things over, considering how we could improve. I think a laurel leaf’s midrib is different than our fake laurel leaf. The book suggests that a laurel leaf’s midrib looks lighter than the leaf and should therefore be accomplished by depressing the clay along each side of the rib with a tool. Our leaf’s midrib appears to be depressed already, so we used a tool to depress it, along with the lateral ribs.

Overall, we learned several new techniques and skills with this model. I love that we can continue to improve with each model. It will be exciting when we come to the end to look back and see how far we’ve come!