Only in Dreams

The Impossible Thing

🌙 Your Final Surrealist Sculpture

You've explored dreams, the subconscious, and the bizarre world of Surrealism. Now it's time to bring YOUR impossible dream object to life in three dimensions!

The Challenge: Create a sculpture that combines 3-4 completely unrelated objects into ONE new, impossible thing that looks like it was always meant to exist.

Remember: This isn't about gluing random things together. It's about creating something that feels natural in its impossibility — like something you'd see only in a dream.

📐 Project Specifications

Size: 5-8 inches cubed (fits comfortably in your hands but has presence)
Objects: Combine 3-4 completely unrelated objects that blend seamlessly
Planning Sketches: 2 different perspective drawings (front/side, top/bottom, etc.)
Construction: Must use an armature (popsicle sticks, paper, tape)
Finishing: Fully painted with acrylic paint
Timeline: 8 class periods

Example: The Apple Toaster

Front view sketch of Apple Toaster

Front View Sketch

Top view sketch of Apple Toaster

Top View Sketch

Final Apple Toaster sculpture

Final Sculpture

🔑 The Key to Success

Your impossible thing must feel unified — like these objects naturally grew together in a dream world. The transitions between objects should flow, blend, and morph. Think: a fish that becomes a shoe that becomes a clock... not a fish glued to a shoe glued to a clock.

✅ What Makes a Successful "Impossible Thing"

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Making objects that look like 3-4 things simply stuck together

❌ Skipping the planning sketches and "winging it"

❌ Making the sculpture too big (uses too much clay, takes forever to dry)

❌ Making it too small (can't show detail, not impactful)

❌ Forgetting to use armature (solid clay = cracks and heavy sculptures)

❌ Rushing the drying time before painting

📦 Materials

Armature Building

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Newspaper or scrap paper
  • Masking tape
  • Optional: Aluminum foil for bulk

Sculpting

  • Das Air Dry Clay (white)
  • Water cup
  • Container for slip
  • Sculpting tools

Finishing

  • Acrylic paints
  • Paintbrushes (various sizes)
  • Water cup for painting
  • Paper towels

Planning

  • Sketchbook
  • Pencils
  • Reference images (Google)
  • Colored pencils (optional)

📅 8-Day Project Timeline

Day 1 Planning & Final Sketches

  • Review your Dream Object sketch from the sketchbook challenge
  • Refine your idea: Which 3-4 objects will you combine?
  • Create Sketch #1: Front or main view of your impossible thing
  • Create Sketch #2: Different perspective (side, back, or top view)
  • Add notes about how objects will blend together
✓ Checkpoint: Both perspective sketches complete

Day 2 Armature Construction

  • Gather armature materials (popsicle sticks, paper, tape)
  • Build the internal skeleton based on your sketches
  • Focus on the overall shape and any protruding elements
  • Test stability — armature should be sturdy and not wobble
  • Keep within 5-8 inch size range!
✓ Checkpoint: Sturdy armature matches sketch shapes

Days 3-6 Clay Sculpting

  • Prepare slip (clay + water, yogurt consistency)
  • Roll clay into sheets approximately ¼ inch thick
  • "Skin" your armature by draping clay sheets over it
  • Score and slip ALL joins!
  • Focus on BLENDING where objects meet — this is key!
  • Add details, textures, and defining features
  • Smooth surfaces with water and tools
  • Allow 24-48 hours drying time before painting
✓ Checkpoint: Sculpture complete, allow to dry fully

Day 7 Painting

  • Check that sculpture is COMPLETELY dry (should feel room temperature, not cool)
  • Apply base colors first (larger areas)
  • Add details and shading
  • Consider how colors help unify the piece
✓ Checkpoint: Painted sculpture complete

Day 8 Reflection & Extended Time

  • Complete artist reflection (submit through MS Teams)
  • Touch up any paint details if needed
  • Finish any incomplete work from previous days
✓ Final: Sculpture + reflection complete

🎨 Step-by-Step Process

1 Choose Your Objects Wisely

Select 3-4 completely unrelated objects. The more unexpected the combination, the more surreal!

💡 Good Combinations: Mix categories! Living + mechanical, natural + man-made, soft + hard, ancient + modern. Example: A seashell + a telephone + bird wings + an eye.

2 Sketch TWO Perspectives

Draw your impossible thing from two different angles. This helps you understand the 3D form before building.

  • Sketch 1: Main/front view — show the most important features
  • Sketch 2: Different angle — side, back, top, or ¾ view
  • Include notes about WHERE objects blend together
  • Mark approximate measurements (5-8 inches!)

3 Build Your Armature

Create the internal skeleton using popsicle sticks, crumpled paper, and tape.

💡 Remember: The armature gives structure and keeps your sculpture lightweight. Build it to match your sketch! Any protruding parts (tails, handles, wings) need popsicle stick support.

4 Skin with Clay Sheets

Roll clay to ¼ inch thickness and drape over your armature.

  • Work in sections — don't try to cover everything at once
  • SCORE and SLIP every join! (This is critical!)
  • Blend seams so they disappear
  • Keep clay moist with damp paper towels as you work

5 Focus on TRANSITIONS

This is what separates good surrealist sculptures from "stuff stuck together"!

  • Gradually morph textures (scales fade into smooth skin)
  • Let shapes flow into each other (a handle curves into a tail)
  • Use repeated elements to create unity
  • Smooth transitions with tools and water

6 Add Details & Texture

Once your base form is complete, add the details that bring it to life.

  • Carve in texture (fur, scales, wood grain, mechanical parts)
  • Add small elements (eyes, buttons, leaves) with score and slip
  • Create interesting surface variations
  • Step back frequently to see the whole piece

7 Dry Completely, Then Paint

Patience is key! Wait 24-48 hours for complete drying before painting with acrylics.

  • Start with larger areas and base colors
  • Layer darker colors first, highlights last
  • Use color to help unify different object parts
  • Consider surreal color choices (purple fish scales, gold gears)

📝 Artist Reflection

Complete this reflection and submit through MS Teams when your sculpture is finished.

1
Object Identification

What 3-4 objects did you combine to create your impossible thing? Why did you choose these specific objects?

2
Juxtaposition

How do your objects create interesting contrasts? What makes this combination dreamlike or surreal?

3
Blending & Unity

Describe how you made the objects flow together. What techniques did you use to make it look like ONE thing rather than separate parts?

4
Meaning or Dream

Does your impossible thing represent a dream, feeling, or idea? What story does it tell?

5
Process Reflection

What was the most challenging part of this project? What would you do differently next time?

📊 Assessment Rubric (0-4 Scale)

How Your Grade is Calculated: Add up all 6 category scores and divide by 6.

Example: 4 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 19 ÷ 6 = 3.17 = B

3.6 - 4.0 = A 2.6 - 3.5 = B 1.6 - 2.5 = C 0.6 - 1.5 = D 0 - 0.5 = F
Category 4 3 2 1 0
Planning & Design
VA:Cr1.2.7
2 perspective drawings showing 3-4 unrelated objects 		Two detailed perspective drawings clearly show all 3-4 objects with creative blending plans and notes Two complete perspective drawings show 3-4 objects with clear blending plans Two basic sketches, objects shown but limited detail or planning Only one sketch or objects unclear/missing Incomplete or no work
Technical Execution
VA:Cr2.1.7
Uses armature; 5-8 inches cubed; proper clay techniques 		Excellent armature construction, proper size, flawless joins, exceptional craftsmanship Solid armature, meets size requirements, strong technique, clean work Armature used but weak; size slightly off; some technique issues Poor or no armature; size requirements not met; major technique problems Incomplete or no work
Juxtaposition & Unity
VA:Cr2.2.7
3-4 unrelated objects blended into one unified sculpture 		3-4 objects seamlessly blended, looks naturally impossible, exceptional unity 3-4 objects flow together well, clear surrealist quality Objects present but still look somewhat separate, limited blending Objects appear stuck together, no blending, fewer than 3 objects Incomplete or no work
Painting & Finishing
VA:Cr2.1.7
Sculpture fully painted with acrylic paint 		Fully painted with excellent detail, color choices enhance unity and surrealist quality Fully painted, colors are thoughtful and help unify the piece Partially painted or paint application is rushed/sloppy Minimal paint, large areas unpainted Incomplete or no work
Surrealist Concept
VA:Re7.2.7
Dreamlike quality and creative object choices 		Powerful surrealist impact, highly creative, memorable Clear surrealist quality, thoughtful object choices Some surrealist elements, could push creativity further Limited surrealist quality, predictable combinations Incomplete or no work
Artist Reflection
VA:Cr3.1.7
Written reflection submitted via MS Teams 		Insightful, detailed, makes meaningful connections Complete, thoughtful responses to all prompts Basic responses, limited depth Minimal effort shown Incomplete or no work

🌟 Inspiration & Examples

Think about the Surrealist artists we studied:

These artists took ordinary objects and transformed them into something extraordinary. Your sculpture should do the same — take the familiar and make it wonderfully strange!

💭 Final Thought

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad." — Salvador Dalí

Embrace the strange. Create the impossible. Let your dreams become reality in clay.