How to Make a Clay Model of an Ivy Leaf

13 Dec How to Make a Clay Model of an Ivy Leaf

Posted at 06:00h in Charlotte Mason, Craft Projects, Happy Handicrafts, Homeschool by Joanna 0 Comments

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Today we are going to be making a clay model of an ivy leaf. We are working through the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling by Hermione Unwin and this is model #27. If you’ve been following along with us, you’ll know that we’ve made leaves before, so we will be referring back to those models as we work through this one. As homeschoolers, this is part of our Charlotte Mason education.

Did we have an ivy plant growing in our home? No. So again we set out to find the object for our clay modelling project. THIS SHOULD NOT BE SO DIFFICULT!!! After multiple trips to multiple nurseries and stores, we came to the conclusion that ivy plants are not available in our area at this time of the year. Our brilliant solution was to cut a leaf off of a plastic ivy plant that I (embarrassingly) had in our home on top of some shelving, covered in dust.

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 ivy leaf

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

Our project begins similarly to Model #9, the laurel leaf. Generally, leaves do not need the support of the armature, so this model will be made on the other side of our modelling board.

We started by making a slab large enough to hold our leaf, allowing for a 1/2″ margin all around. Then we sketched the outline of the ivy leaf onto the slab with the tool. Once we had the outline defined, we built up the model on the inside of the outline, working from the highest to the lowest parts.

The midrib was drawn in, depressing the clay on both sides of it in order to give it a raised appearance. The lateral ribs were added, trying to copy the original as closely as possible. Smoothing as we go, we then added in the irregularities on the surface of the leaf.

Our model was completed by cutting out the clay underneath the model, giving the appearance of being thin at the edge. We then added the stem – and VOILA! A completed clay model of an ivy leaf.