Drawing with clay: technique

Drawing with such material as plasticine, is an art located at the junction of two pictorial genres - "flat" painting and sculpture, that is, a three-dimensional image of the surrounding world. Plasticine can be called an excellent material for creators and artists, but it seems that they have not yet been appreciated.

Drawing with clay

If the artist owns the secrets of the material and can turn his shortcomings into undoubted merits, he will learn how to create not just homemade crafts, but real works of art from plasticine, from the finest paintings that are almost indistinguishable from oil painting to convex complex bas-reliefs.

What are the advantages of such a material as clay?

The first advantage of plasticine is that it can easily take any form, it is easy to knead and roll. In addition, he lays on the surface of any layer at the request of the artist. In other words, drawing with plasticine is extremely convenient: the creator works with extraordinarily pliable material. However plasticity is only one of many secrets of plasticine.

The second advantage of this material is that it has the same quality as viscosity, or "stickiness".

The third advantage of plasticine is a rich color palette and bright shades. This gives the artist ample opportunities, making drawing plasticine one of the most exciting activities. However, this is not the last secret either.

The fourth advantage of this material is that the plasticine palette can be treated in the same way as an artistic paint. The technique of drawing with plasticine involves mixing different colors to produce new ones. In addition, you can get a full range of intermediate shades.

Thermolability is the fourth advantage of the plasticine mass. It is easily softened by heating, even to the temperature of your hands. This makes the artist's hands the main tool in such an occupation as drawing with plasticine. Some creators do most of the work, smearing the material with their fingers across the surface of the future picture.

Drawing plasticine in kindergarten will promote the development of fine motor skills of the hands of the kids. This, undoubtedly, is another advantage of the material described. In addition, drawing plasticine in kindergarten and at school contributes to the development of creative imagination of children.

Next, we will talk about the secrets of the technique of drawing such material.

What is needed for that?

For the most expressive depiction of objects in a picture of plasticine, the artist will need, firstly, tools, and, secondly, his imagination.

First and foremost, a qualitative and bright clay is needed. The less he clings to his hands, the better. In addition, it must be well warmed up and mixed with each other.

The basis of the future picture can serve as plexiglas, hardboard, plywood, cardboard or glass. If it is cardboard, then oil stains from the material should not appear on it. In addition, you will need hand wipes, a modeling board, a glass with water, an awl, a rolling pin, tweezers, and a variety of improvised tools to enable the artist to create the desired texture. For example, you can apply a metal strainer, a comb, a crush for garlic. To create grass and stems, you can use a medical syringe without a needle. For thick sausages, you can use a pastry syringe.

To decorate the picture can be used various natural materials, jewelry, plastic parts and so on. For example, cones, twigs or dry leaves.

A pencil is necessary for sketching on cardboard, on which you will draw with plasticine. Templates are also not forbidden.

It is desirable to make plasticine pictures in the framework of glass. If the picture is flat, then it can be stored under a transparent film.

Drawing with clay: a master class

To begin the conceived composition follows from drawing a sketch on a piece of paper. At this point, you should select colors for the details of the image and background. Do not forget about the combination of shades and contrast. For example, the yellow part will appear brighter on a green background, and the blue one will appear on a yellow one. Remember that the background should not be too bright, since it will distract the observer's attention to himself.

Next, you need to select the format of the future picture and cut out a rectangular plate from the material that will serve as the basis. Drag the image from the sketch onto the base. You can use children's crayons and a grid. If you use glass, you can simply put a sketch under the material and fix it with adhesive tape.

The preparatory work is finished, now you should start creating the image.

Features of work with plasticine

"Pure" colors are always suitable for work with this material. Often when working for the embodiment of the conceived color solution, mixing of both colors and varieties of plasticine is used. It is necessary to select the proportions until the desired result is obtained.

Do not forget about the primary colors. They are red, blue and yellow. Derived tones are obtained by mixing them in a certain proportion. If you mix yellow with blue, you will get green, red with blue - purple, red with yellow - orange.

If you add white clay to the resulting shade, it will lose its brightness and become pastel.

If you do not want to get a "dirty" color, you should not mix more than two colors at the same time.

If you mix fluorescent and matte clay, then you will get a new quality material.

In order for the surface to acquire a glossy effect, the fingers must be moistened with water.

Methods of modeling

There are five basic methods of modeling. This rolling, rolling, pulling, smoothing, flattening and pinching. In addition, in order to achieve the desired texture effect, it is necessary to use additional improvised tools.