New
New
Lesson 7 of 7
  • Year 11

Advancing modelling: shaping with clay

I can build, shape and add expressive detail to clay, showing movement and emotion.

Lesson 7 of 7
New
New
  • Year 11

Advancing modelling: shaping with clay

I can build, shape and add expressive detail to clay, showing movement and emotion.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Modelling is a process, where forms are built up by gradually adding and shaping material like clay, wax, or plaster.
  2. Developing sensitivity to moisture levels, structural support, drying times is essential, especially working with clay.
  3. Expressing movement, emotion and narrative through gesture, posture and detail makes work compelling and communicative.

Keywords

  • Additive - building up forms gradually using clay, wax or plaster

  • Structure - supports and internal armatures prevent collapse

  • Gesture - movement and emotion captured through pose and surface

Common misconception

Clay Sculptures are finished once the shape is made.

Clay work is a process; refinment, moisture control and surface texture are key to a finished sculpture.


To help you plan your year 11 art and design lesson on: Advancing modelling: shaping with clay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Demonstrate building small test pieces first. Encourage students to pause, step back and evaluate shape, structure and gesture before adding more material.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Clay, wax, plaster, modelling tools, water spray, armatures, aprons, sketchbooks and drawing materials.

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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word “additive process” mean in sculpture?

Carving away at a block of stone
Correct answer: Gradually building up a form by adding pieces of material
Painting colour on the surface
Drying clay in the sun

Q2.
True or false? Clay can crack if it dries too quickly.

Correct Answer: True, Correct

Q3.
Why do artists sometimes use an armature inside clay sculptures?

Correct answer: To stop the form from collapsing
To decorate the surface
To make the clay change colour
To dry the sculpture faster

Q4.
What is slip used for when working with clay?

To decorate the surface with colour
To make clay dry faster
To stop clay from being heavy
Correct answer: To glue pieces of clay together

Q5.
Which of these could show gesture in a sculpture?

A tilted or stretched pose
Upright and still posture
Spirals or curves in abstract forms
Correct answer: All of the above

Q6.
True or false? Only realistic figures can show movement in sculpture.

Correct Answer: False, Incorrect

Additional material

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