Impressed Texture in Clay


Minnesota K-3 Visual Art Standards Used in This Lesson:

  • 1. Identify the elements of visual art including Color, line, shape, Form, Value, texture and space.

  • 2. Identify the tools, materials and techniques from a variety of two- and three-dimensional media such as drawing, printmaking, ceramics or sculpture.

  • 4. Create original two- and three- dimensional artworks to express ideas, experiences or stories.


    • Additional Tie-ins

  • Properties of Clay
  • Indent or Impress
  • "Antiqueiing"

    • The texture unit starts out with texture rubbings. Next, students make texture in clay. And finally we draw simulated texture on paper with pencils.
    Texture is discussed again with emphasis on how it feels. A demonstration about how texture can be made by repeatedly impressing a tool into the clay.

    Students are given a lump of clay and many various tools on their tables. They are to impress the tools of their choice into the clay to create an actual texture that they can feel.

    After firing, the texture pieces will be painted in various colors. After the paint dries a final coat of black acrylic is painted over and wiped off to give a deep richness to the pieces.