Art Ed: Clay Sharks pt 1

Long before the news of summer shark attacks dominated our news cycles, I dreamed up a clay project based on surfacing Great White sharks. Even though sharks are extremely dangerous this is one animal that fascinates the tiny humans. When I shared what we were making there were lots of "Whoas!", "Yeahs!", and "Yesssss's!" This was my first attempt at this project and it went swimmingly. Had to- sorry!

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Materials:
+ clay
+ clay tools
+ clay mat

Step 1: Create the Base

Smooth out the slab so that your own texture can be created. 

Create a watery outline on a slab.

Cut out the watery/organic shape and smooth down the edges.

Step 2: Create the Shark Body

Create a cone from a ball of clay. It should look like an ice cream cone.

Press your thumb into the bottom of the clay.

Expand the thumb hole to create a pinch pot. This allows for air flow and the creation of a mouth.

Step 3: Attach the Body to the Base.

Score the base in an approximately-sized circle.

Score the base of the shark body.

Slip and squish the body and base together. Make sure it's not stuck to the table!

Step 4: Create the Mouth

Draw a half circle where the mouth should go.

Carefully cut into the half circle and gently push out the mouth.

Shape the mouth as you would like and create the teeth by forming them or attaching them. Either way, give that shark lots of teeth!

Give it the fine-detail treatment: eyes, scars, and texture.

To finish I write students' names, dates, and class on the bottom. I make sure everything is firmly attached to the base without doing much work to them. Allow your sharks to dry for several days because of their thickness.  Fire them in the kiln at cone 05 on whatever speed you're comfortable with but be sure they are dry enough before firing- you would hate to explode these fellas. Part 2, glazing and the final product, coming tomorrow. Happy making!