06 Sep How to Make a Clay Model of an Egg

This week, in our homeschool handicrafts lessons, we are going to be making a clay model of an egg, from the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling by Unwin. These lessons are supposed to be gradually increasing in complexity as you work through the book. This lesson seemed to take us back several lessons to Model #3, which was a clay model of a plum. In fact, the egg seemed to be even simpler than the plum! Although the egg takes a little more shaping, the plum had more details. But you be the judge – watch our Happy Handicrafts video below, or even better – try it for yourself!

If you’ve been following along with us with this clay modelling series, you’ll know by now how happy I am when the object that we’re going to be modelling is easy to find. I’m notorious from coming up with substitutes when I can’t find the object quickly. But today was easy! An egg! We always have plenty of eggs!

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
• An egg

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Make a Clay Model of an Egg

The instructions in the book, immediately direct us back to Model #3, a clay model of a plum. You’ll notice that the earlier lessons in this book have much more instructions than the later lessons. As your skills develop, you’ll see that the lessons do not reiterate previously covered material but will simply give directions on new skills. I appreciate the approach because I get annoyed when things are repetitive.

With this model, positioning does not matter, as an egg is typically the same all around. As always, we began by examining our egg from all directions.

Our next step was to create an oblong slab around the armature. (If you need help with an armature, refer back to our post, How to Create a Modelling Board with an Armature.) Be sure to build the slab thick enough so that the armature is not going to protrude out from the top of the egg.

Once the slab is complete and smoothed over, it’s time to build up the mass of the egg. You’ll do this with your hands, making it as close to the size and shape of the object as possible. When you’re satisfied, place it onto the armature.

Compare the object to the model and smooth out any inconsistencies. We finished out model by smoothing it out with a wet thumb and fingers.

This model was a great review, taking us back to an earlier model, to ensure we are following directions and instructions. I appreciated this review. It reminded us where we started, and how far we’ve come. The process is becoming less of a struggle and more enjoyable as we polish our skills.