ART 183: Advanced Clay Sculpture II

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2020
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: ART 182.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

Clay sculpture classes will include clay techniques, application of color, sculpting methods, and sculpture concepts. Students will design and construct large hand-built sculpture pieces of the human model, human head, animals, or other topic. Material fee. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • use clay and art terminology consistent with ceramic construction practices
  • demonstrate advanced principles of glazing in their clay work
  • demonstrate intermediate to advanced techniques of kiln firing

Major Course Content

Lecture - Through Use of Slides and Demonstrations

  1. Unity of composition (review)
    1. traditional types of composition (review)
      1. from theory to practice
      2. compositional schemes
    2. develop repetition
    3. develop contrasts
    4. plan a balanced composition
    5. heighten the theme through materials and techniques
  2. Psychology in composition
    1. cutting things off
    2. twenty-four "don'ts"
  3. Composition in portraits and figures
    1. composition in portraits
    2. composition in the torso
    3. what to do with hands
    4. full length portraits
    5. shape of support for figures
    6. major mistakes
    7. where to cut the figure
    8. accessories
    9. different styles, identical principles
  4. Color in fired clay (review)
    1. use the proper colors
    2. psychology of color in composition
  5. Sealing color on fired clay (review)
    1. methods used today
    2. methods of the past restated
  6. Proportions of the human head (review)
  7. Draping the human head and human figure (review)
  8. Selected topics (two per semester)
    1. proportions of an animal
    2. proportions of a bird
    3. clay through cultural heritage
    4. famous clay sculptor
    5. Advanced sculpting methods
    6. Advanced sculpting courses

Lab Content

Lab Assignment

  1. Clay
    1. subjects
      1. human model
      2. human head
      3. animal
      4. architectural
      5. cultural heritage
    2. method of application
      1. slab
      2. hollow
      3. solid (then hollowed)
  2. Color on fired clay (review)
    1. try new
    2. improve used
  3. Sealing color on fired clay (review)
    1. trying new
    2. improve used
  4. Notebook - continue composite of lecture notes, hand-outs, pictures, sketches, etc.
  5. Viewing of PowerPoint, text, magazines and other visual media

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Reading from the Text, writing in journal, drawing in journal, developing portfolio.
The internet is a rich source for material for exploration of various artist and specifically sculptors.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Visit Galleries and write a critique of the show. Visit artist studios and interview the artist. Write a 2 page essay on a favorite sculpture.

Examples of Outside Assignments

View an art museum of gallery and write a 2 page paper critiquing the work in terms relevant to the class: line, shape, color, form, texture, and the principles of design: unity, balance, focal point etc. Visit art gallery (write report covering impression, craftsmanship, color, technique, and new ideas) Notebook - Keep a notebook of visual and written ideas and thoughts as it relates to their class projects.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab