This week in Little Ashcan, our students began an exciting two-part project focused on the artistic element of line. They explored how line can be used both in two-dimensional design and three-dimensional form—starting with sketches and moving into clay.
Part 1: Practicing Line with Clay
Students began by using air-dry clay to explore how lines can exist in three-dimensional form. They practiced shaping different types of lines—curved, straight, zigzag, and looped—and arranging them into abstract compositions. This activity helped them understand how line can define form, create texture, and guide visual movement.
Part 2: Sketching with Colored Pencil
After working with clay, students transitioned to colored pencil sketching. Using their clay practice as inspiration, they created abstract line drawings on paper, thinking about how to organize space and create visual rhythm. These drawings will serve as the planning stage for next week’s final project, where they’ll return to clay and complete their compositions with acrylic paint and gel medium.
This week’s focus helped students connect materials with intention, as they learned how both drawing and sculpture use line to communicate movement, structure, and expression.