Activity 1: Sculpture through Manipulation 

Purpose:
Forming clay objects by hand or with tools.

Materials:
Clay, wooden forming block, special tools selected for modeling, 

Method:
Manipulation is achieved by using flexible materials, such as clay, plaster or wax. Clay is a particularly good material for students in the early stages of studying three-dimensional form.
Because it is flexible and pliable, you can add to, take away, push and pull the material in a directional manner. 

Model a simple human or animal form with clay. At first consider the large or major contour of the clay mass as you might see if from multiple views. Use your hands or a wooden forming block to compress and/or wedge the clay into this large form. Then add secondary contours and smaller shapes to create expanded spatial dimensions. You can use other special tools for cutting, blocking, modeling or sharpening the clay. (Fig. 9.1A)