What a Relief!

I have been having a lot of fun with my homeschooling art class. It's been a challenge to keep everyone interested, since they range from 3 to 14 years old. I highly recommend bas reliefs for anyone doing a group like this.



Bas relief is a form of sculpture designed to be viewed from the front. It usually rises from a flat surface, like a wall, creating interest when light and shadow fall across it. They are often used in architecture. You can read more about it here.

Our bas reliefs are made using Crayola Model Magic. The great thing about Model Magic is that it dries quickly. The bad thing about it is that it dries quickly. I've learned to keep some plastic baggies handy to wrap the extra clay in, so that it doesn't dry out before they think of what they want to make.


Every child came up with interesting ways of using the clay. I encouraged them to incorporate textures and color into their sculptures. I use watercolor or water based markers on Model Magic before it dries. I learned it holds the colors better that way. Just don't use too much water, or it will take days to dry. These reliefs were set on paper for photographing. Bad idea. Wax paper would have been a better choice because when they dried they needed to be peeled away from the paper.



As you can see, we had an wide range of ideas. Sierra was one of the kids that made lots of valentine hearts. Marina's is on the lower left corner of this picture. Chase's is above hers. It didn't film well because of the lighting and the dark color. It's a really nice bat in a cave. I'm proud of all the homeschoolers. They did a wonderful job!