The student will create a realistic ceramic replica of their favorite dessert, which will serve as a hollow container with a lid. They will research Wayne Thiebaud paintings for inspiration, sketch multiple views of their chosen dessert, and use clay hand-building techniques like pinch, coil and slab to sculpt it. Once fired, they will paint the ceramic dessert with acrylic paints. The finished project must be between 4-6 inches and demonstrate textures, details and colors that accurately capture the chosen dessert.

1. Name:
_________________________________________________
_Block: _____________
Studio Art
Dorofy/Duckworth/Gordon/Sanders
Ceramic Desserts
Clay & Acrylic Paints
TASK: You will create a realistic
replica of your favorite dessert
using clay and acrylic paints.
Your clay sculpture will be a
hollow form that is cut and made
into a lidded container.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
1.Research and analyze the paintings of Wayne Thiebaud.
2. Brainstorm and choose a final dessert to use for
your clay creation… think cakes, cupcakes, pies, etc.
You should come up with a list of at least 10
different desserts in your sketchbook, and
then choose one for the final piece.
3. Find interesting reference images for your dessert.
Your images should include:
a) Multiple viewpoints and components for
various parts of the dessert – close-ups,
frostings, decorations, crusts, etc.
b) Be sure your picture has enough detail to
help you draw and sculpt from.
c) Print your images in color so each is at least
4”x6” in size.
4. In your sketchbook, draw 5 thumbnails (with at
least 2 viewpoints for each, total 10
sketches)for how your ceramic dessert will look.
Sketches should be detailed and in color. When
designing your dessert, think about the following:
a) What details, textures and embellishments
could you add?
b) What can be a handle for the lid on your
dessert container?

2. c) What colors and ‘flavors’ would work best
together?
5. When your drawings are complete, conference with
teacher to discuss the strengths and areas of
concern, and to get approval on a final direction.
6. Participate in demonstration and experiment with
various clay hand-building techniques (pinch, coil,
slab, score/slip, additive and subtractive).
7. Build your ceramic dessert using one (or a
combination) of the methods demonstrated. *** Use
your Ceramics Reference Sheets for guidelines on
each technique and proper storage and handling. ***
8. While your ceramic dessert is drying and being fired,
participate in demonstration and experiment with
acrylic painting techniques.
9. Once your ceramic dessert has been fired, you will
paint it using acrylic paints.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
Your project must be no smaller than 4” and no
larger than 6”
Make sure you keep your clay nice and damp! If you
fail to do so your clay dries up and becomes
unworkable. Prevent this from happening by spraying it
or covering pieces your aren’t working on with damp
papertowel!
You must score and slip EVERY element that you add to
your piece.