Mini Clay Bust Sculpture | How to Sculpt a Human Head in Clay

This mini clay bust sculpture is one of my favorite ceramics lesson plans for high school. It is challenging, allows room for creativity and using the subtractive clay bust technique is so much easier than building with coils and slabs. Although you can do this life size, this mini clay bust tutorial will show you how to sculpt a human head in clay using the subtractive technique. Then I will show you how to how to sculpt facial features in clay and add expressive details.
This can also be done with air dry clay at home or in a smaller studio setting. No kiln, no problem!
Materials:
My favorite air dry clay (classroom and home tested!):
Amaco Marblex Gray Clay - 5 lb
bit.ly/3CNZcrb
Great clay for the classroom:
Standard Ceramic 105 White Clay - 50 lb
bit.ly/3XoQis2
Sculpting Tools:
Jack Richeson Deluxe 12-Piece Pottery Tool Set with Storage Canister
Amazon Affiliate Link: amzn.to/2DdFB8b
Budget Friendly Option:
Amazon Affiliate Link: amzn.to/3i4TtAF
***This description contains affiliate links to products I truly love and use in my classroom. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this public school teacher's side hustle so I can continue to provide free content.
Make art with me!
Website: thatartteacher...
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That Art Teacher:
HI! My name is Sierra Machado and I am a public school art teacher in Oklahoma. I spent the first six years of my career teaching at a visual art magnet program at a high school in South Carolina. I then spent six years at an intermediate school in Oklahoma, and now I'm back teaching high school. I am excited to be in my 14th year in art education.

[@jeffreyhartmannmusic]

outstanding !!!! love watching you sculpt . .. my sculptures take around a month per piece .. .a slow process . . .Thanks TAT. . . have a wonderful art filled weekend my friend . Jeff

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much!! 🥰🎨❤️
Sculpting slow is the way to go 😍

[@ArtforLife]

very nice abstract sculpting technique! fantastic sharing my friend!

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much!! 🥰🎨❤️

[@foltz-art]

Love the Mini Masterpiece clay bust project its a fun way to learn before getting into a Bigger bust make Great Teaching method & lesson on this I learned alot ✌️🙌🎨🗿TY Art Teacher 🎊😎💯%♡

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much, Mark! 💛💛💛

[@SorayaZiziArtist]

Wow, that is so cool! Love it!

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much!

[@samsulalam]

Wow...so mesmerising and creative 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much 😊

[@toptop10ten]

Thanks friend r reminding of how to use clay, score, slip etc

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Absolutely! 💛

[@destinationdero]

This art is pretty cool. Nice share, have a great day.

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you! You too!

[@adventurefieldsupportaccou2170]

Beautiful artwork, very nice video friend🌟have a nice day💫

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@532art]

Wow amazing craft! This is so cool!

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thanks so much 😊

[@DeBon_]

Your video is the best

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much! 💛💛💛

[@sanatsalimge]

Looks so impressive and great! :)❤🌸

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much!

[@HOMASAKAEART]

Amazing🥰🎶🥰🎶🥰🎶素晴らしい動画💖✨💖✨💖✨My friend🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much!! 🥰🎨❤️

[@NazarFawzi]

wow❤️🌹👍

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thanks 💛💛💛

[@theythemcausinmayhem]

that’s not wedging that’s just balling the clay up wedging is a kneeling like motion that gets air out this can easily trap air bubbles.

[@ThatArtTeacher]

🙂

[@LydiaB1686]

Hey Curious? Is there one kind of Kilin? I always wondered what that is exactly and how it worked. I always buy handmade pottery but I’ve been so curious how to make it

[@theythemcausinmayhem]

there are several types of kiln, electric, gas, wood fire, manual, programmable, pit firing there are even mini “kilns” you can use in the microwave.

[@natelierart]

very impressive and creative artwork !

[@ThatArtTeacher]

Thank you so much 😀