Foil Food

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I think it’s really important for students to learn how to sculpt realistically without the use of color. It forces them to think only about form, which is a foundational sculptural skill. So, I find that doing this foil lesson with my students is both super helpful in growing their abilities as artists and also just fun! Students really let their imaginations run as they build on additions to their meals—umbrellas in drinks, sauces, silverware, and more.

I first talk about the properties of the foil and have students experiment to see that the more they crumple the foil, the stronger it gets. I also show students how they can wrap the foil around objects to get basic structures as they build.

Students then plan out a full meal—main course, side dish, drink, and dessert—to make entirely out of foil. They create a cohesive theme, which means that they typically build off of a time or culture. For example, they could make a thanksgiving meal, breakfast diner meal, southern comfort meal, or a German meal. Whatever they decide, each piece of food must “belong” in the chosen theme.

Students work to hone their craftsmanship so that no glue is seen, and the results are always so fun! Try it with your classes and let me know how it goes!

Access the full lesson with vocab, teacher instructions, and step-by-step student instructions!