Welcome to the Blob Universe!
Character Design, Sculpting, and Painting Inspired by Moriah Elizabeth
Lesson Overview
Age Group: 9 Years Old (Adaptable for multi-age classrooms or homeschool settings)
Duration: Flexible (Can be taught as one 90-minute session or split into two 45-minute sessions: Session 1: Designing & Sculpting, Session 2: Painting & Storytelling)
Real-World Connection: Learn how professional toy designers and animators start with simple "organic shapes" to create world-famous, lovable characters like those in Moriah Elizabeth's creative universe!
Materials Needed
- Moriah Elizabeth Blob Universe Painting & Sculpting Kit (Or substitutes: Air-dry clay or polymer clay, acrylic paints, and brushes)
- Sculpting tools (plastic modeling tools, or household items like toothpicks and butter knives)
- A small cup of water (for smoothing clay and rinsing brushes)
- Paper towels
- Pencil and paper (for brainstorming and character sketching)
- Fine-tip black paint pen or a very thin detail paintbrush (for Moriah's signature black outlines!)
- The "Blob Bio" Card Printable (or a blank index card)
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify and Draw: Differentiate between rigid geometric shapes and soft, organic "blob" shapes.
- Design: Create a character concept sketch with a clear facial expression and personality.
- Sculpt: Hand-build a 3D clay blob character using proper joining and smoothing techniques.
- Paint: Apply smooth base coats and clean detail outlines to bring your character to life.
The Lesson Steps
1Introduction & Hook (10 Minutes)
Talking Points for the Instructor:
"Have you ever looked at a fluffy cloud in the sky, a spilled drop of water on the counter, or a lump of cookie dough and thought... 'Hey, that looks like a little monster!'? That is the secret of the Blob Universe!
Moriah Elizabeth is famous for taking random, bumpy, soft shapes—what we call 'organic shapes'—and turning them into cute characters. Today, you are the character designer. We aren't making perfect squares or circles. We are making perfectly imperfect blobs. Let’s look at some of Moriah's characters. What makes them look so cute and 'derpy'? Yes! Wide-set eyes, funny little smiles, pastel colors, and bold black outlines. Today, you will create your very own original resident of the Blob Universe!"
Quick Check: Ask the student to point out three objects in the room. Are they geometric (man-made, straight lines) or organic (natural, curvy lines)?
2Phase 1: Character Design (15 Minutes)
"I Do" (Teacher Demonstration):
Draw a totally random, bumpy, bean-like shape on a sheet of paper. Show how placing the eyes low and wide apart immediately makes the shape look cute and "derpy". Add a tiny mouth. Show how changing the mouth (a tiny 'o', a wavy line, or a big happy grin) changes the character's entire mood.
"We Do" (Guided Practice):
Ask the student: "Give me an emotion! Happy, sleepy, or confused?" Together, sketch a blob shape on paper. Have the student tell you where to draw the facial features to match that emotion. Discuss what accessories they might want to add (a tiny hat, a flower, a mustache, or small wings).
"You Do" (Independent Practice):
The student will draw 2 or 3 random blob outlines on their brainstorming paper. They will choose their favorite one, add facial features, color ideas, and give it a temporary name. This sketch will be their "blue print" for sculpting!
3Phase 2: Sculpting the Blob (30 Minutes)
"I Do":
Demonstrate how to prep clay by rolling and warming it in your hands. Show how to pinch and pull the clay to create a smooth, lump-free "blob" base.
Crucial Technique Demonstration: Show how to attach a smaller piece of clay (like an ear or a hat) to a larger piece. Explain that if we just push them together, they will fall off when dry. Demonstrate the "Score, Wet, and Smooth" technique (scratching the joining areas, adding a tiny drop of water, pressing together, and using a tool or finger to blend the seams smoothly).
"We Do":
Work side-by-side with the student. Have them warm up their clay. Guide them to pinch and shape their main "blob" body based on their paper design. Tap the bottom of the blob gently on the table to ensure it has a flat base and can stand up on its own!
"You Do":
The student independently sculpts their character's details (arms, horns, eyes, hats, etc.) and attaches them securely using the scoring and smoothing techniques taught. Encourage them to use a damp finger to smooth out any fingerprints or cracks on the surface.
⚠️ Note on Drying Time: If using air-dry clay, the sculpture needs to dry completely (usually 24 hours) before painting. If using polymer clay, bake according to package directions and let cool. Move to Phase 3 once the sculpture is fully cured and dry.
4Phase 3: Painting & Outlining (30 Minutes)
"I Do":
Show how to apply a base coat. Explain that paint shouldn't be too thick or gloopy. It's better to do two thin coats than one messy thick coat! Show how to wash and dry the brush thoroughly before switching colors to keep colors bright and clean.
"You Do":
The student paints the base colors of their blob. Let the base paint dry for a few minutes (this is a great time to clean up the clay workspace!).
The Final Touch (Moriah's Signature Style):
Once the base paint is completely dry, demonstrate how to use a fine-tip black paint pen or a very thin brush to draw clean black outlines around the eyes, mouth, and edges of the character. This makes the character look like a 3D cartoon!
Closure & Character Showcase (15 Minutes)
Now that your resident of the Blob Universe is complete, it's time to introduce them to the world!
The "Blob Bio" Card
Fill out the following information on an index card to display next to the sculpture:
BLOB UNIVERSE CITIZEN CARD
• Name of Character: ____________________________
• Favorite Food: _______________________________
• Best Friend: _________________________________
• Superpower or Special Skill: _________________
• Where do they live in the Blob Universe?: ____
Recap Discussion: Ask the student to explain the most challenging part of the project and how they solved it (e.g., getting the clay to stand up, keeping the paint lines clean). Celebrate their creativity!
Success Criteria (Self-Assessment Checklist)
Encourage the student to check their own work against these fun benchmarks:
| Goal | How do I know I nailed it? |
|---|---|
| Sturdiness | My blob stands up on its own and all attached parts (ears, arms, etc.) are securely fastened and smoothed out. |
| Neatness | My paint colors are bright, not muddy, and I can see the black cartoon outline clearly. |
| Personality | My blob has a clear facial expression that tells you how they are feeling. |
| Storytelling | I filled out my Blob Bio Card and can tell a quick story about my character. |
Adaptations & Extensions
For Learners Needing Support:
Simplify the shape. Instead of adding complex limbs or hats, focus on a simple egg or tear-drop shape. Use pre-made plastic eyes (or sticker eyes) instead of sculpting or painting small eye details.
For Advanced Creators (Extensions):
- Add Texture: Use a toothbrush to create a fuzzy texture on the clay, or a toothpick to create scales before baking/drying.
- Create a Prop: Sculpt a tiny accessory for your blob to hold, like a miniature coffee cup, a tiny book, or a piece of cake.
- Stop-Motion Animation: Use a tablet or phone to take a series of photos of your blob character taking its very first steps in the Blob Universe!