This document provides instructions for a ceramic dessert project where students will create a realistic replica of their favorite dessert using clay and acrylic paints. The clay sculpture will be a hollow form with a lidded container. Students will brainstorm dessert options, sketch designs, build the ceramic piece using various hand-building clay techniques, and then paint it once fired using acrylic paints. Examples of past student projects are also provided.

1. Ceramic Desserts
Clay and Acrylic Paint

2. 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.

3. Wayne Thiebaud
American painter
Most famous works are of
cakes, pastries, boots, toilets,
toys and lipsticks.
Associated with the Pop art
movement because of his
interest in objects of mass
culture
Uses heavy pigment and
exaggerated colors to depict
his subjects

12. What you will do
List at least 10 different desserts…
think cakes, cupcakes, pies, etc.
Choose one final dessert to use for
your project.
Find interesting reference images
for your dessert and print them in
color

13. What you will do
Draw color sketches for how your
ceramic dessert will look
Think about:
• Details, textures and
embellishments
• Handle for the lid on your
dessert container
• Colors and ‘flavors’
Conference with teacher to choose
final direction

14. What you will do
Participate in demonstration and experiment with various clay
hand-building techniques (pinch, coil, slab, score/slip, additive
and subtractive).

15. What you will do
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.

16. What you will do
While your ceramic dessert is
drying and being fired,
participate in demonstration and
experiment with acrylic painting
techniques.
Once your ceramic dessert has
been fired, you will paint it using
acrylic paints.

17. Examples

18. QUESTIONS?