KS3 Easy Clay Vessels Project & Colour Theory

This is a simple but effective clay project that I teach with Year 9, but could be any KS3 / KS4 project. The outcomes are excellent and I have found it even keeps Y9 boys engaged…

This is a full scheme of learning which introduces various techniques for clay work, including incising and applying, contructing, building etc. The project looks at different artists and their work, then asks students to design their own vessel based on underwater textures. The are opportunities for cross-curricular learning etc.

The clay vessels are simple to build, and there are clear steps and instructions showing students how to. Before students build their final piece, there are lessons teaching them to use various clay tools on a simple slab in order to master incising into the clay and applying clay onto clay. Therefore students end up with two pieces of work, one ‘practise’ piece and one ‘final’ piece. This allows time for one to be fired / painted while the other is drying.

The end of the project introduces some basic colour theory, looking at harmonious colours, accent colours, tints and shades. We painted our vessels using acrylic but you could easily change how you paint / decorate yours.

The scheme of learning includes all of the slides I used over a series of 6 - 7 weeks. Entry tasks, starters, mini acitivities, peer assessment, self assessments, plenaries etc. are all included. The materials I used are just clay and blue carving tools. Students mixed their own slip after I showed them how to.