New
New
Year 9

Exploring portraits through 3D

I can manipulate clay to model 3D portraits.

New
New
Year 9

Exploring portraits through 3D

I can manipulate clay to model 3D portraits.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Depicting a person in 3D has been done for hundreds of years using materials such as marble, clay and stone.
  2. Clay is a malleable material and has been used by artists to create portrait forms.
  3. Clay can be used in many ways and an artist's style can be seen through how they manipulate the clay.

Keywords

  • Depict - to show or represent something in a picture, drawing, or description.

  • Sculpture - a work of art that can be seen in the round, is three dimensional or as a relief.

  • Contour - the outline or shape of something, especially the curves of a surface.

  • Modelling - the process of shaping and forming clay, often by hand.

Common misconception

Only large, figurative sculptures are considered 3D portraits.

3D portraits can be created in various sizes and forms, not just large figurative sculptures. They can include small, detailed works or abstract representations.


To help you plan your year 9 art and design lesson on: Exploring portraits through 3D, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to experiment with the clay’s malleable qualities when creating 3D portraits. Advise them not to have a fixed idea of the final result, but to let the material guide them. This will help foster creativity and allow unexpected forms to emerge during the process.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pencil, clay, parchment paper (so that clay does not stick to the table)

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main difference between shape and form in 3D art?
Correct answer: Shape is 2D, form is 3D
Shape is 3D, form is 2D
Shape and form are the same
Form refers to texture in art
Q2.
To stop clay from sticking to the table, you can use:
Correct answer: parchment paper, a smooth surface, cloth
wood, metal, bristles
plastic, glass, paper
wood, plastic, potters wheel
Q3.
Match the terminology (clay tool or technique) to what it helps with:
Correct Answer:Clay,Moulding and shaping into various forms

Moulding and shaping into various forms

Correct Answer:Clay tools,Refining details, textures and adding precision

Refining details, textures and adding precision

Correct Answer:Modelling,Shaping clay by hand or using tools to form figures or shape

Shaping clay by hand or using tools to form figures or shape

Correct Answer:Sculpt,Creating detailed 3D forms with intricate features and texture

Creating detailed 3D forms with intricate features and texture

Q4.
What is one advantage of using clay for 3D portraits?
It’s heavy and difficult to mould
Correct answer: It can easily be reshaped and refined
It can’t be shaped at all
It can only be used for flat objects
Q5.
Clay can be used to add texture or details to a clay sculpture.
Correct Answer: tools, carving, modelling, pressing, Sculpting
Q6.
Which of the following is a benefit of using clay in 3D portraiture?
It is easy to break and crumble
Correct answer: It allows for continuous adjustment and reworking
It can only be used once
It cannot hold detail

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the term to its correct definition:
Correct Answer:Depict,A three-dimensional work of art that can be viewed from all sides

A three-dimensional work of art that can be viewed from all sides

Correct Answer:Sculpture,To show or represent something in a picture, drawing, or description

To show or represent something in a picture, drawing, or description

Correct Answer:Contour,The outline or shape of something, especially the curves of a surface

The outline or shape of something, especially the curves of a surface

Correct Answer:Modelling,The process of shaping and forming clay, often by hand

The process of shaping and forming clay, often by hand

Q2.
3D portraits have been created for centuries using soilid materials such as marble, stone and soft materials such as ...
Correct Answer: clay, wax, plaster
Q3.
Modern 3D portraits explore identity and social issues through ...
Only traditional materials like clay and marble
Techniques like painting and drawing
A variety of materials and techniques
Correct answer: Only large, figurative sculptures
Q4.
Why might some artists like to work in 3D?
It limits their creativity to flat surfaces
It makes artwork easier to transport
It requires less space to create than 2D art
Correct answer: It allows them to bring the portrait to life in physical space
Q5.
Artists use different methods to think in 3D when creating portraits. Which of the following can help an artist visualise a 3D form?
Correct answer: Maquettes
Correct answer: Drawings
Writing notes
Cleaning equipment
Q6.
Pareidolia means we recognise faces and figures even in inanimate objects. Which of the following best describes pareidolia?
Correct answer: Seeing faces in clouds
Recognising familiar sounds
Feeling emotions through colour
Understanding abstract shapes

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