Terra Cotta Warrior Disaster (or DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!)

The famous Terra Cotta Warriors of China

Each sculpture is unique

Do you know about the wonderful Terra Cotta Army? These incredible life-size sculptures were built in China during the 3rd Century BC and were discovered in the 1970's by a group of farmers who were digging a well. They had been buried with the first Emperor of China to protect him in the afterlife. THOUSANDS of statues of soldiers, each unique with it's own details, clothing, ranks and facial features.

At Barnes & Noble I found a wonderful kit on sale that not only contained a small book with wonderful photos of the Army but also had a small reproduced figure. I showed them to my 3rd-5th Grade art group. They were completely taken by the figure. Everyone wanted to hold it. All of them asked to keep it.

Rest assured, I told them, you will be making your own! We will use this wonderful new air-dry terra  cotta colored clay, I told them! You will amaze your friends!

Warriors under construction

And so the artists worked hard to create their own figures. They were detailed. Some were crouching like warriors at battle, some stood proudly holding weapons. One looked comical but charming. Use a little slip (wet clay) to smooth out the rough patches and allow the appendages and facial features to stick better, I told them.

 Leave them to dry, I told them, and you will take your masterpieces home next week!

HA!

When the students came back the following week this is what they found: 

Terra Cotta apocalypse. Bases had fallen off. Weaponry had broken off and cracked. 

Arms, noses and hair buns all fell off with the slightest touch. Sadly I sent my artists home empty handed and I refrained from repeating the project with my younger group. 

So if you artists and art teachers and parents can recommend a good sturdy easy to use air-dry clay I'd appreciate a recommendation!