Suggestions for Animal Clay Project

14 years ago
Posts: 339
Thanks for reading my post 🙂 I'm looking for inspiration for a particular project in my ceramics class. The assignment requires the clay item I make to be an animal (or representative of an animal, such as antlers) and it also needs to be 3D, not flat, in order to demonstrate technical proficiency.
There's a lot of rich meaning, myth, stories and symbolism associated with different animals. My first idea was a tiger, because I admire their strength, beauty, grace and ferociousness. However, I don't have the skill to make a tiger that I would be happy with as representing tigers.
I am looking for suggestions as to an animal (or part of an animal) that I can make that is:
-possible for someone with limited experience in pottery
-doesn't require talent for realistic, complicated art
-3D
-ideally with some sort of meaning or significance.
A challenge in pottery is that pieces can't be solid, and you have to think about the technical process of reaching your final image. For techniques, I am most comfortable with slab, but also know pinching, coiling and draping.
Thanks!

14 years ago
Posts: 969
For something simpler you can try a turtle shell with a creative design on it?

14 years ago
Posts: 497
A panda?

14 years ago
Posts: 339
Thanks for the suggestions 🙂 I ended up doing a mouse, but your ideas are good ones for trying another time.

14 years ago
Posts: 1050
Now that brings back memories.... Mine was a brachiosaur... Though it was more of a cartoon than the real.... Reason: because the real thing is huge... Though that doesn't explain why i made it cartoon like..
I know it's late to post a suggestion now... But i just wanna post anyway ^___^