9. PORTRAIT HEAD-Coil Construction

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

Tools       — fingers; wire tool; plaster bat about 6" x 8"

Wedge the clay thoroughly (see Introduction, page 12). A core constructed of coils makes a good foundation for a portrait head. Work on a plaster bat about 6" x 8" so that you can han­dle the piece easily. Make a heavy coil, about 1" in diameter, into a circle 3" in diameter. Build up three or more coils vertically to a height of about 4" to form the neck (Figure 1). The bottom is thickest because it supports the weight of the entire head. Weld the coils together inside and out. Succeeding coils may be ¾" in diameter. Add three more coils, but make each succeeding ring larger and let it step out in front to form the chin. This should increase the height about 3" (Figure 2). Now add more coils, but this time let them step out on the back to show the bulge at the back of the head and gradually make the rings smaller to conform with the roundness of the head to an added 4" (Figure 3). Keep weld­ing your coils inside and outside. Make smaller and smaller rings until the top of the head is closed (Figure 4). If you have to stop in the pro­cess, cover your work with a damp cloth and put a tin can over it or keep it in a damp-closet  (see Introduction, page 13). When you begin again, score the edge of the unfinished part, paint with slip, and add coils of fresh clay.

The foundation for your head is now completed and ready for modeling. You can make a self portrait from a mirror, or you can make an im­aginary head. Add extra clay for nose, ears, hair, or any other projection (Figure 5). Always score surface and paint with slip before adding fresh clay, if the head has been stored away for any length of time or become firm. Do as much of the modeling as you can with your fingers, but use tools when you feel you need them. Don't try to be literal. Be more concerned with getting a good feeling of a head with strong features and simple planes than in acquiring a likeness or putting in surface decoration. When the head has become firm and easy to handle, thin out the wall by shaving the inside with a wire tool to about ½". If by chance you should cut or break through the wall, score the edges, paint with slip, and patch with fresh clay.

Figure 1-Build a short cylinder 4" high of coils 1" in diameter to form the neck. Weld them together.

Figure 2 — Add three more coils to a height of about 3". Make each ring larger than the preceding one and let it step out in front to form the chin.

Figure 3—Add more coils and let them step out in back to form the bulge at the back of the head.

Figure  4 — Continue  constructing  with coils until the top of the head is closed.

Figure 6— Finished portrait head by a 15-year-old girl.

Figure 5—Build nose/ eyes, and ears and model by adding or removing clay.

Figure 7—Portrait head, terra cotta pot­tery clay, by an adult student.

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