Notebook

Notebook, 1993-

MATERIALS & METHODS - A Perspective on Art Education - Activities for Children - Themes & Topics

Drawing & Painting -- Modeling & Sculpting

Fingerpainting -- Mural Making -- Paper-Mâché -- Puppets -- Mask-Making -- Crayon Encaustics -- Crayon Resist Drawing -- Crayon Sgraffito -- Collage -- Mobiles -- Watercolor -- Common Earth Clay -- Salt Ceramic [recipe] -- Clay / plasticene Non-hardening -- Carving in the Round -- Newspaper Modeling -- Paraffin or Wax Sculpture -- Plaster Plaques or Reliefs -- Relief in Plaster -- Relief in Soft Wood -- Repoussé -- Sandcasting -- Working With the Coping Saw or Jigsaw -- Straw/Toothpick Sculpting -- Painting on Window Glass -- Diorama -- Peep Shows -- Whittling -- Wire Sculpture

[From: [Meaning in Crafts. Mattil,, Edward L. Chairman, Dept. of Art, North Texas State University. Third Edition, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1971.]

Nonhardening Modeling Clay
Plasticene or Plastilene


Probably the most widely used of the three-dimensional materials is the nonhardening type of clay known generally as plasticene or plastilene. This clay usually contains oil and glycerine, which keep it from hardening permanently. It is considerably less responsive than earth clays. This plastic modeling clay is popular because it is reusable and therefore economical. It can play an especially important role in the lower elementary grades, where the product is not of as lasting importance to the child as the process of creating it. In these lower grades, it is perfectly permissible for the teacher to re-form the children's products into lumps and use the clay over and over again. However, the teacher should do this without the children around, and only after they have lost interest in what they have created.

The older pottery or sculpture student must follow some processes (especially if products are to be fired); but small children should be encouraged to develop their own personal techniques.

Since plasticene is soft and pliable, it requires no special tools or equipment; children can work on a piece of newspaper or old cardboard. It keeps best if stored in an airtight container. If the clay becomes old and hard, one can sometimes resoften it by warming and working glycerine into it.

[Meaning in Crafts. Mattil,, Edward L. Chairman, Dept. of Art, North Texas State University. Third Edition, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1971.]




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