Lesson video

Hi there.

I'm Miss Mia and I'm so excited you are here as well.

Today you'll be joining me for an awesome lesson where we are going to learn, explore, and have lots of fun together.

Are you ready? Let's begin.

In this lesson, you'll be able to create a modelling clay monster using different sculpting techniques.

Your keywords are on the screen now and I'd like you to repeat them after me.

Sculpting techniques.

Scenery.

Texture.

Great.

Let's find out what these keywords mean.

So sculpting techniques are ways to shape materials like clay, wood, or metal.

Scenery is the background or surrounding elements that add context to a sculpture.

And lastly, texture.

This is how something feels when it is touched.

Let's move on.

Now, this lesson is all about making a modelling clay monster.

In this lesson, we have two lesson cycles.

Our first lesson cycle is to make a modelling clay monster, and then we move on to creating our scenery.

I'm super excited about this lesson.

I hope you are too.

Let's get started.

Now, a clay animation setup involves creating small scale scenery or a stage where your modelling clay monster can be moved for stop motion.

Let's look at this in a little bit more detail.

A stage is basically our backdrop or mini set which is created.

It's like a room or outdoor scene, and it's basically where the animation will take place.

Clay figures.

These are made from soft, moldable clay which can be easily moved and reshaped.

When recording your stop motion animation, you are going to need a camera or digital device.

So for this, you could use a camera or tablet and it's usually placed on a tripod or stand to keep it steady while taking pictures of each small movement.

Back when I was creating a stop motion animation, I used a torch or I used my phone's flashlight.

Either way, bright lights are used to make sure the scene is well-lit and doesn't change between shots.

Now, it's important to use a tripod or a stand because it keeps the camera or whichever digital device that you are using still, and this creates for smooth photos.

Let's move on.

Lucas and Aisha are preparing to create their monster models.

Aisha says, "I'm going to get my sketchbook and look at my monster design." Jacob says, "Good idea! I think that we could use plasticine to create our monsters." Now, using plasticine is pretty important because actually plasticine doesn't dry too quickly.

So it's important that when we do end up creating our monster models, we keep them in an airtight container so they don't dry out and when it comes to creating our stop motion animation, they are ready to mould and they won't break.

Now, artists use sculpting techniques to create objects from modelling clay.

Some of these techniques include rolling, twisting, pinching, pulling.

So you can use these sculpting techniques to construct the body parts of your monster.

And it's up to you to choose which techniques you use which part of your monster's body.

Over to you.

Which of these sculpting techniques could you use to create your monster? Would you use A, pinching, B, hiding, or C, twisting? You can pause the video here and click play when you've got the answer.

So what did you get? If you got A and C, you are correct.

You can use both pinching and twisting to create parts of your monster's body.

Let's move on.

So for this part of the lesson, you will need a bit of plasticine.

I'll go first.

So I'm going to form a body using the rolling technique, and that's because I'd like my monster to have a circular body.

I'd like you to use the rolling technique.

Off you go and click play when you're ready to rejoin us.

So how did you find that? Well, Aisha had a go and this is what she did.

She says, "I could create the head, eyes, and body from using the rolling technique." She also said that she will roll and join different-sized ball shapes.

That's good thinking, Aisha.

Back to me.

So this time I'm going to be adding limbs by pulling the clay.

So over to you.

I'd like you to do the same.

You can pause the video here and click play once you've done that.

So how did it go? Well, this is what Jacob did.

Jacob says, "I could create my monster's tail and horns using this technique." I wonder if you did the same.

He also says that he would pull gently so that the clay doesn't break.

I wonder if you found that when you were experimenting with the plasticine.

Pulling the clay with a bit too much pressure can result in the clay actually breaking.

So in most cases, you do want to very gently pull the clay.

Let's move on.

Back to me.

So this time, I used rolling or pinching to create additional features.

And when I say additional, what I was thinking was actually creating the ears this time.

So over to you.

I'd like you to use rolling and pinching again to create additional features.

You can pause the video here.

Welcome back.

So I wonder what additional features you created.

Aisha also took part.

Let's see what she did.

Aisha says, "I could create the ears or claws for my monster using the pinching technique." That's a really good idea, Aisha.

It's good to use the pinching technique, especially when it comes to creating ears, because the way I imagine my monster's ears is for it to be pointy, and to create that point, we need to pinch.

Now, there are various joining techniques to secure the body parts together.

When I was creating the body parts for my monster, I had the head and the body and I just thought, oh, maybe we could just put them one on top of the other and it will be fine.

But what I very quickly found out was that when I tried to move the monster around and add the other parts, the head kept falling off the body and we don't want that.

So you could secure the head of your monster to the body by using a toothpick and you can see that happening here on the screen.

So that's one method.

Now, here's another method.

We can see that the head has been joined to the body through using a different joining technique.

And this is known as the smoothing technique.

You can join the head to the body by smoothing the head onto the body by smoothing one piece of the clay to the other.

Now, just something to point out here.

You can see that the head has been joined to the body, but the shape has slightly changed of the monster's fall.

So that's one thing to remember.

If that's the shape of the monster that you are after, this is fine.

So why do we do this? Why do we need to join the head and the body and different parts of the monster's body securely? Well, it's important because it keeps the character stable and you'll be able to move your monster smoothly whilst animating.

Over to you.

I'd like you to discuss with a partner, why has the artist chosen to use a toothpick to connect the head to the body instead of smoothing? Hmm.

You can pause the video here and click play when you've finished your discussion.

So what did you discuss? You may have said something along the lines of this.

In this case, the artist used the toothpick to connect the head to the body to make sure it stays in place while creating.

Smoothing alone might not hold it well, but the toothpick makes it stronger and helps the parts stay together.

Well done if you managed to say something along those lines.

Let's move on.

Jacob looks at his design in more detail.

Jacob says, "I would like to add texture to my monster to make it more unique." Oh, that's a really lovely idea, Jacob.

Aisha responds, "You could use different tools to add texture to your monster." So you can add texture by using various objects you find around the classroom.

For example, paper clips, a ruler, a pencil, and crumbled paper.

I'm sure you're wondering how we can use these things to add texture.

I'll show you in a bit.

It's also very important to think about the amount of pressure we use.

Hmm.

Can you think of any more items that you could use to create texture? Now, you may have said something like using string or anything else that you might see in your classroom.

You could use items or natural objects found outside as well, such as stones, leaves.

It's an item that you can push into your plasticine and apply pressure, which will leave an impression, ultimately creating texture in your plasticine.

So here are some examples of textured plasticine you could try.

Jacob says, "I could use the stippled texture to create a rough feel for my monster's skin." And also I quite like the crosshatch texture.

This could also represent the monster's bumpy skin.

Over to you.

Which of the following tools can be used to make circular holes? Have a think.

Pause the video here and click play when you're ready to rejoin us.

So what did you get? Well, B is the correct answer.

You can use a pencil to create circular holes.

A ruler would be used to create straight lines and string can be used to also create straight or curved lines.

Onto the main task for this lesson cycle.

So you will be using modelling clay to now make your monster figure.

Remember to use the sculpting techniques below.

These are rolling, pulling, pinching, and twisting.

And the most important tip that I'm going to give you is to use secure joining techniques.

This is to ensure that your monster is strong, especially when it comes to using it to create your stop motion animation.

And for part two, you're going to use a toothpick, pencil, or any other tool to add texture to your monster.

You can pause the video here.

Off you go.

Remember, it's your choices that are going to make your monster unique.

Have fun with creating your monster and click play when you're ready to rejoin us.

So how did it go? I hope you had a lot of fun creating your monster figure.

Were you able to use the sculpting techniques that you see on the screen here? And did you use the secure joining techniques? Let's see how we got on.

Now, you may have used a toothpick to secure different parts of the body.

You may have also used a combination of rolling, pinching, pulling, and twisting to create your monster.

And here we can see that glue the monster has been created and his friend, the snake.

Let's move on.

Now we're going to be looking at creating our scenery to tell a story.

Did you know artists make scenery for their clay animation to help tell a story by showing where the characters are? The background is just as important as the models.

It creates atmosphere and can help make the story come to life, like a monster in a spooky forest or a funny creature in a sunny park.

So when it comes to creating scenery for your animation, it's important to make sure that background is sturdy enough to stand on its own.

You can use a piece of cardboard box or a shoebox.

Aisha says, "I do not have a cardboard box, so I will use thick card or paper that I can stick to the wall instead!" And this will work wonderfully as well, as long as it can stand on its own.

Now, you can use different media to create your background.

So you might think about using colouring pencils or paint, fabric, or even natural objects.

If you really want to push yourself, you can use all four.

Remember to choose the right materials to ensure that your scenery is sturdy enough to support itself and withstand movement during filming.

Now, this is really important.

When I had to go at creating my scenery, I found that using heavy objects didn't really work because I tried to stick it onto my background and it kept falling.

So really do think about the objects that you use.

Back to you.

Why do you think scenery is important in clay animation? Is it A, it makes the character look nice, B, it helps tell the story and shows where the characters are, or C, it doesn't really matter, we only need the characters? You can pause the video here and click play when you've got the answer.

So what did you get? If you got B, you are correct.

Scenery is important because it actually helps tell the story and shows where the characters are.

If we didn't have scenery, we wouldn't really know what's happening in the story.

Your audience would be confused.

So it's really important that we have scenery.

Let's move on.

Jacob and Aisha are discussing ideas for their background.

Jacob says, "My storyboard features a forest.

I could create clay trees or even use natural objects that I find in the playground!" Aisha says, "That's a good idea! I'm going to stick to dark colours for my background because my story is set in a magical forest." So I want you to think about, how might you create your scenery? Will you be using natural objects or will you be using different media to create specific objects from your scene that you've chosen? I would focus in on creating three key features from the scenery that you've chosen.

So for example, if you chose to create a forest, you may want to create the trees, then the flowers, and then there may be stones or pebbles that you have.

So in that case, I would go outside and find natural objects.

Over to you.

True or false? You can use any medium for your backdrop, but it must be sturdy or securely attached to a wall.

You can pause the video here and click play when you've got the answer.

So what did you get? Well, it is true, and that's because using any medium allows for creativity in your backdrop design, which means you have full choice as to how your scenery will look.

A stable backdrop helps keep the focus on the animated elements and prevents any disruptions while filming.

Well done if you said something along those lines.

Now, you could create your scenery by, one, starting with the sky.

So for example, you could colour your background with a light blue for the sky.

You can use crayons, paint, or coloured pencils.

Then for number two, you could go onto adding the ground.

So for example, at the bottom of your picture, you could draw or colour a strip of green or brown to make the ground.

You could also draw the trees.

So for example, you could draw tall trees with brown trunks and green leaves.

You can make the leaves big and round or pointy like a pine tree.

Number three, including extra details.

So in this example, what we can see here is that by adding some extra details such as bushes, flowers, or rocks, it makes the forest look more interesting.

What I want you to do is consider layering and the order in which you will create your scenery.

Over to you.

How do you know when your scenery is ready for animation? Is it A, when only the sky is coloured, B, when the trees and ground are drawn but not coloured, C, when the details are added and everything is coloured, or D, when only the trees are finished? You can pause the video here and click play when you've got the answer.

So what did you get? Well, C is correct.

Only when the details are added and everything is coloured or painted or stuck down will your scenery will be ready for animation.

Onto the main task for this lesson cycle.

So you're now going to create your scenery for your modelling clay monster.

You're going to think about how your scenery will help tell the story.

Now, you might find natural objects to use such as stones, twigs, or leaves.

You might also decide to combine different mediums such as paint and found objects.

And you might use tools to add textures to the plasticine that you might also choose to include in your scenery.

And for part two, I'd like you to discuss with your partner what you might change next time and why.

I want you to have a lot of fun creating your scenery and think about what you might use.

And remember, it's the choices that you make that will bring your scenery to life.

There's no right or wrong answer.

Off you go.

Have fun.

Click play when you're ready to rejoin us.

So how did it go? Did you manage to create your scenery? Let's have a look at how we did.

Now, you may have created scenery that looks like this.

We can see that natural objects such as leaves, twigs, and stones have been used to bring this scenery to life.

Now, for part two, you may have discussed something like this.

Jacob says, "In my storyboard, my monster is in a forest.

I think the monster's home should have more trees around it next time 'cause it looks too empty." Aisha says, "Next time I will use more found objects like stones or leaves to bring my scenery to life and create texture." Fantastic.

We've made it to the end of this lesson.

So let's summarise our learning.

Today, we made a modelling clay monster and also the scenery as well.

You should now understand that different sculpting techniques such as rolling and pinching can be used to create various shapes and textures.

You also understand that joining pieces securely is essential for a sturdy sculpture.

You understand that a variety of tools can be used to create details and textures to enhance the appearance of a model.

And lastly, you now understand that creating scenery helps tell a story.

I really hope you enjoyed this lesson and I look forward to seeing you in the next one.

Bye.