6. ANIMAL SUGGESTING ACTION-Coil Construction

Material   — gray or terra cotta sculpture clay, about the size of half a loaf of bread

Tools         — fingers; two or three wood tools of various shapes; plaster bat about 5"x 8"

The coil method offers an easy and practical means for modeling animals in action. Try first a simple four-footed animal such as a dog or cat, or a wild animal—tiger, leopard, or lion. Have a specific animal, and the action it is to assume, in your mind before starting. You can make a sketch of the approximate size and action if you wish.

Wedge your piece of clay thoroughly (see In­troduction, page 12). Make a base by patting a piece of clay to about 4" x 7" and 3/4thick. This will serve to hold your figure while you are constructing it. You can cut it away later. Roll a coil about Va" in diameter and make two V shapes from it. Place one on the base, arrang­ing it in the action of the back or fore legs of the animal you have in mind. Weld the ends (feet) to the base. Be sure to place the first pair of legs in the right position on the base so that you will have room for the rest of your animal. Now arrange the second pair of legs in the same way. Allow them to get firm enough before con­tinuing. Test by pressing with your finger on the point of the arches made by the legs. If there is no give, it is safe to continue the construction.

When you feel that the legs can support weight, place a coil of clay across the two arches (leg units) to form the body and weld together (Fig­ure 1). Add a piece of coil for the neck and one for the tail (Figure 2). Make each piece conform to the action of the part of the body it repre­sents. For example, if the back of the animal is arched, make a high loop in the coil for the back; if the head rears up, turn the neck coil upward. Add the head last or make it in one piece with the neck. Allow the figure to set awhile until it can be handled without any of the parts bend­ing out of shape.

Continue your modeling by adding extra clay or cutting away where you want it thinner than the original coil frame (Figure 3). If the piece has been laid away for awhile, or if it seems quite hard, scratch the surface and paint with slip before adding new clay. Strive for the general action and shape of the animal. Don't become too absorbed with deails or surface decoration. You will get a better feeling of realism by ex­pressing the action and contour of the figure than by trying to express fur, eyes, or toes. Cut away the base with a knife or wire if you wish.

When the animal is finished it can be fired. The natural terra cotta or gray clay will produce an interesting finish, or you can paint it with a col­ored slip before it is fired (see Project XV).

Figure 4—Animal sculptures made by 12-14-year-old students.

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