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Lesson 36 of 84 · Sculpture

30 XP🏺 Clay Cave

Relief Sculpture in Clay (Part 4)

🎨Studio Brief #36

A relief sculpture is raised from a flat background, like a picture that pops out of the wall.

🎯 Your mission

If it cracks, that's part of the story.

⚡ The twist

No tools — just your hands.

🤯

Mind = Blown

🤯 The oldest known sculpture is 35,000 years old — a tiny mammoth carved from ivory.

🌟

Artist Spotlight

🎨 Ruth Asawa wove sculptures out of wire she learned to bend in a kids' camp.

Practice relief sculpture in this art lesson: relief sculpture in clay (part 4).

What You'll Learn

A relief sculpture is raised from a flat background, like a picture that pops out of the wall. Create a nature scene—leaves, flowers, or animals—on a clay slab.

Techniques You'll Practice

relief sculpturescore and sliptexture pressing

Materials Needed

Air-dry clayModeling toolsCardboard

Step-by-Step Guide

0 of 4 done
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Where you see this in real life

Pots, cups, sinks, statues — anything you can hold started as squishy stuff.

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Stretch Challenge

Try this in real life this week.

Sculpt with playdough or even mashed potato. The tool doesn't matter.

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For the dinner table

Tell me about the part of your sculpture you're proudest of.

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Next Smart Project

We'll pick an art project that matches exactly where your skills are right now.

🌟Share card

Share this art project

Send it to a parent looking for a 15-minute screen-free creative win.

Ready?

Relief Sculpture in Clay (Part 4)

If it cracks, that's part of the story.

Full screen — no distractions

🖨️

Checkout complete lesson on Sculpture for 3rd Grade

Get the full Sculpture track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.

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Relief Sculpture in Clay (Part 4) — Sculpture | 3rd Grade Art | LittleActivity