A Christmas Art LessonIn this Christmas art lesson, I hope to show you my process of creating a polymer clay relief sculpture.
As a mother, I am always moved to create some Christmas art that involves the mother and child.
At this time of the year, I find myself pondering the complex emotions that are so inextricably bound up in the relationship of a mother and child. Especially profound must have been those of Mary, who knew that her child was destined for an unknown, but momentous future.
This project attempts to explore that relationship, and those emotions. Please click to enlarge the images for a closer look.
You can see how I built the image slowly, from a flat sheet of clay. I began with simply incising a rough drawing, and then built up only the areas that I felt need dimensionality. A little extra clay was added for the baby's cheek.
As I work, I long to somehow convey the vulnerability of the baby who gave up all heaven's majesty, for me. The wonder of the divine plan, is something that never ceases to amaze me! Using the Skinner Blend technique, I worked on a background for the relief. To create a soft blend between the blue and cream clays, I folded the clays together and sent it through the pasta machine, fold side down. After sending it through several times, I arrived at the blend you see. This created the mystery that I was hoping for in the background.
Using a rubber stamp helped add some geometric detail to the background. I love polymer clay for its sensitivity to any impression - from fingerprints (not my favorite!!) to any texture - like this beautiful stamp.
To further enhance the surface, I sprinkled some silver pearl metallic powder on the surface of the work and gently smoothed it in. In the baking process it fused with the clay and gave it the shimmer.
Finally, I cut strips from the left-over blue and cream clay, to form the drapes and finish the work. Combining all the various parts of the relief in a pleasing manner was the most enjoyable part.
As you look at the detail image below, you'll have a better idea of the depth of relief that I eventually settled on. This is an important consideration when creating reliefs. All the various components must protrude credibly, at various depths, from the basic surface of the work. Finally it was sent to the oven to become firm and permanent. I hope that you benefited from this picture trail of my Christmas art project. Have fun creating your own! For a better understanding of how to make a Skinner Blend with two colors of clay view this useful polymer clay tutorial.
Burnt Offerings - A polymer clay bas relief Parable of the Sower Return from Christmas Art Lesson to Christian Artist Home 
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