We sculpt a person from clay in stages. Recipe from glue and glycerin. Clay products for molding and firing

Recently, handmade products are in great demand. Sculpting from polymer clay and cold porcelain is very popular, such crafts with the help of master classes and even without tools can be obtained by any novice needlewoman. In order for the finished product to turn out to be of high quality, it is necessary to follow a certain technique and sequence of actions.

What is polymer clay

This substance was artificially created by a German woman, Fifi Rebinder, to create heads for handmade dolls. Polymer clay for modeling has a specific herbal smell, contains plasticizers, which give it plasticity. When baked, they are absorbed, the mass hardens and can no longer change its shape. Polymer clay (or plastic) is of two types: self-hardening and thermoplastic.

The latter requires heat treatment, but anything can be molded from it - from small details to large figures. Self-hardening material dries naturally in the sun, it will take at least a day. If you have not heard about the properties of clay before, then you should know that after drying, the finished product decreases slightly in size, the surface is uneven, but it can be drilled and processed with a saw. This type of material is more suitable for sculpting dolls and other large crafts. Keep the mass in a closed container.

What can be molded from polymer clay

Sculpting from polymer clay opens up great scope for imagination. You can make anything from fine jewelry to handmade dolls and figurines. Due to the unique properties of plastic, working with it is easy and simple. Some types of thermoplastics are able to imitate the properties of various natural materials: stone, wood, metal, fabric. It is better for beginners in modeling to start with simple techniques, techniques, gradually moving on to more complex ones.

Products

Jewelry, jewelry, key chains, pendants, souvenirs, fridge magnets are often molded from plastic clay. Plastic is non-toxic, so it can be used in games with children. It is easy to teach a kid to make vegetables, fruits, simple flowers. More experienced needlewomen sculpt complex polymer clay items such as doll heads, arms and legs. The properties of the mass make it possible to make crafts as similar and realistic as possible.

Ideas for sculpting from polymer clay

Inspiration for creating polymer clay masterpieces can be drawn from various sources. There are special printed publications on sale that teach such modeling. There you can find a lot of useful information, step-by-step instructions and many options for crafts. Modern needlewomen find ideas for sculpting on the Internet, where there are photo / video instructions with a detailed description of the actions.

How to sculpt with polymer clay

For creativity from polymer clay, special skills are not needed, because the mass is similar to plasticine. In the hands it becomes soft and pliable, ready to create any crafts. To make the product beautiful, have strength, choose high-quality material for creativity. There are many types of polymer clay: Sculpey, Cernit, Viva Pardo, Deco (Japanese), Kato Policlay, Sonnet, Profi, Flower (sold in sets) and others. Most of the decorations are made from Decoclay and Fimo clay.

Instruments

Polymer clay tools can be purchased at any art and craft store. Some items can be replaced with improvised materials, but some special tools are indispensable. Before starting work, you need to prepare for the process. You will need:

1. Large glass or plastic worktop.
2. PVA glue. It is useful for joining thermoplastic parts together.
3. Sharp knives, you can clerical.
4. Sandpaper to eliminate roughness.
5. A piece of suede fabric that adds shine to the finished product.
6. Toothpicks, rolling pin.
7. Cutters are special molds for cutting figures.
8. Extruder, rolling pin.

Sculpting techniques

There are several popular techniques that are used in creating crafts from different types of plastic:

1. Smooth transition. The method is to mix two different colors.
2. Sausage (sape, cane, millefiori). Several layers of different polymer clay are combined, and then the mass rolls into a roll.
3. "Kaleidoscope". Multi-layered, using the kaleidoscope technique, the pattern turns out to be symmetrical, multi-colored.
4. Watercolor. Technique for a smooth transition of color when sculpting.
5. Filigree. Complex, requires professional skills, patience.
6. Salt technology. Salt is used in modeling to give texture to the creation.
7. Mika-shift. Creates a 3D effect.
8. Mokume Gane. It consists in layering several layers of plastic clay of different colors.

Some parts need to be glued together after firing, in order to avoid damage during baking. Use liquid or gel glue for this purpose, it is better if it is fast-acting and grabs in 15-20 seconds. So you will have the opportunity to fit the parts as best as possible to each other. Do not apply glue in strips so that there are no smudges, do it in the form of separate droplets.

baking

This process requires certain conditions to be met. The most important thing is to adhere to the baking temperature, which is indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer. If this indicator is violated, the product may not bake or change color. It is better to bake the mass in the oven on a ceramic tile or a regular baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Small parts need to be pricked on a toothpick, placed on a foil ball, so they are better baked. Flat parts are laid on a flat surface.

Complex crafts can be baked in several stages, for example, if they are made using the filigree technique. Each stage lasts a certain amount of time (from 1 to 15 minutes), and the total duration of the process can take up to half an hour. It must also be remembered that in its raw form the material is not toxic, but during heat treatment it exudes an unpleasant, harmful odor. Observe safety precautions: ensure the ventilation of the room, remove food from the kitchen, wash the oven after firing.

Varnishing

Finished products are covered with a special varnish, which gives them a finished look. There are matte and glossy varnishes, you need to choose them based on the desired effect of your craft. Many plastic manufacturers also make varnishes, so you can buy products of the same brand. It has a composition that will not fade over time and will not start to stick to your hands. Some needlewomen varnish their creations with water-based varnishes for wooden floors. The main thing is that they do not contain latex, which is incompatible with thermoplastics.

You can apply varnish with a brush, but it is better to “put on” the product on a toothpick and dip it into the liquid as a whole, scrolling it around its axis. So the substance is distributed evenly, its excess amount will drain. Next, a toothpick with a craft is inserted into a piece of foam (or other material), left to dry. If after a while a drop of varnish forms below, it must be carefully removed. It is necessary to cover crafts in several layers, drying each of them for a certain amount of time (indicated on the package), sometimes this time is several hours.

Safety

Working with any material, even food, has its own safety rules. If you decide to sculpt from plastic, observe the following precautions:

1. After sculpting, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water, and it is better to work with rubber gloves.
2. Do not burn the mass in the oven where you cook. If there is no other, and you are forced to do this, wash the oven thoroughly and ventilate well.
3. Observe the temperature regime of baking, and if the material is burnt, be sure to ventilate the room and wash the oven.

Having prepared all the necessary materials, tools, you can begin to create various masterpieces. Check out a few simple sculpting lessons and start from the basics, moving on to complex crafts with the acquisition of certain skills. Over time, this exciting hobby can grow into a small business that brings a good regular income.

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Polymer clay crafts for beginners

For those who have basic knowledge and start working with plastic for the first time, a simple master class on modeling a fridge magnet from polymer clay will help:

1. Stock up: self-hardening polymer clay of pink, yellow, white, green, lime colors, soft magnet, acrylic paints, glue, scissors, toothpick, beads.
2. Roll up small balls from yellow, white, pink polymer clay, form a drop out of them, cut the thick edge with scissors into 4-5 parts.
3. Flatten them, give relief with a toothpick. You will get flowers.
4. Form droplets from a material of green shades, flatten them, make veins with a toothpick. These will be the leaves.
5. We make buds: on a drop of white we squeeze strips, imitating unblown petals. We wrap the bottom of the workpiece with a piece of green mass.
6. Paint the magnet with paint of a suitable shade and glue the resulting blanks on it, creating a composition. Complete it with decorative beads. Leave until completely dry.

New Year crafts

An excellent gift for the New Year will be a magic ball made at home from polymer clay:

1. Prepare: a small transparent jar of spices with a screw cap, plastic (white, black, red, pink, beige), glitter, glitter, glycerin, vodka, pin, glue.
2. Roll up 2 white balls of different sizes, put them on a pin (thin wire) to make a snowman.
3. Make indentations for the eyes, insert 2 black balls there. Insert a carrot made of red plastic into the recess for the nose. Draw a smile.
4. Roll 4 white balls, flatten 2 on one side - these are the legs. From the rest, make elongated droplets - these are hands. Assemble the snowman.
5. From beige, pink polymer clay, roll out 2 thin long sausages. Twist them with a rope. Form a scarf and a snowman hat out of them. In the same way, we make a candy in the form of a hook (we use a red, white mass), insert it into the hand. We bake.
6. Lubricate the lid of the jar from the inside with waterproof glue, put a snowman in the center, sprinkle sparkles around.
7. Pour different medium-sized glitters into the jar, pour 1 tbsp. l. glycerin and vodka, add water, given that the snowman should still fit.
8. Coat the thread of the lid with cream, screw it on, let it dry. Shake, flip.

Decorations

As a decoration, try to make a simple “knitted” wrist bracelet that imitates real yarn:

1. You will need: a base for a bracelet, plastic of the desired color, liquid gel plastic, an extruder, a knife.
2. Put the plastic mass in the extruder, squeeze out. Take 2 strips, twist with a tourniquet. Do the same with the other two strips, twisting them in the other direction.
3. Lubricate the surface of the base with gel, attach the first tourniquet, cut off the required length. Then attach the second tourniquet as tightly as possible to the first, cut off.
4. You will get an imitation of knitting. Repeat the steps until you "knit" the entire bracelet. Do the same on the inside (optional). Bake.

Toys

Modeling toys with thermoplastics is a great pastime with children. Try this turtle:

1. Stock up on a baked polymer mass (blue, light green, pink), a brush and 2 small black beads.
2. From the blue color, make 4 large drops - this is the preparation of the legs.
3. From a piece of light green plastic, form a blank in the form of a bell with a recess inside - this is the future shell.
4. Place the legs next to the wide part down, put on the shell on top. With the brush handle, holding it vertically, make a recess in front of the future turtle - a place for the head.
5. We form the head blank: roll a ball and a cylinder out of blue plastic, connect them. You should get a head on the neck. Attach it to the body.
6. Roll up pink balls, flatten, stick to the shell - these are spots. Blind your eyes from beads. Bake the turtle.

Flowers

According to such an understandable step-by-step master class, sculpting flowers from polymer clay is easy and simple:

1. Prepare the following materials: white and blue thermoplastic, toothpick, 2 white beads, knife.
2. Make 2 balls of different colors, connect, knead them until you get a marble pattern.
3. Divide the resulting ball in half, fashion each half in the form of a flat plate with 1 elongated edge.
4. Fold each into paper seed bags so that the elongated edge is at the top. Pin it, and straighten the free edges, as if the flower is opening. Bake, glue a bead in the middle.
5. If, before firing, you first make a hole in the middle with a toothpick, then you can then insert the accessories and form earrings from the flowers.

Children's crafts

Children are very fond of cartoons, so they will be interested in the process of creating popular characters from polymer clay. Let's blind Krosh from Smeshariki:

1. Prepare: plastic (white, mint, red), 2 black beads, a knife.
2. Roll up a mint-colored ball - this is a blank for the head, separately prepare 6 more small pieces of mass.
3. Take 2 small white pieces, roll up the same balls, press down, attach to the head close to each other - these are the whites of the eyes. Stick black beads to them - pupils.
4. Roll up a small ball of red polymer clay, stick just below the eyes - this is the nose.
5. Cut out Krosh's mouth with a knife, fill it with red, stick 2 small white teeth.

Clay modeling is a fascinating and not difficult hobby that even a child can learn. It makes it possible to create a variety of things: from well-aimed jewelry to impressive sculptures, creating an interesting decorative design for a room or presenting them as a gift.

Children, doing such an activity, can not only recreate their favorite cartoon characters, please with entertaining crafts, but also develop spatial thinking and the ability to work with their hands.

For children, clay crafts are one of the best hobbies, and for adults, they are an option to relax, calm down and enjoy the work done.

Where to get or how to prepare clay

Polymer clay is a material that, in structure and characteristics, resembles plasticine known to everyone since childhood, but is able to harden, making crafts durable. There are several types of clay: those that harden only after baking or firing, and the other - without the use of high temperatures.

You can buy clay at any stationery store or make your own at home. It is impossible to call such a material polymeric, since when creating it at home, completely different components will be included in the composition. However, the properties of such a material will be similar to purchased polymer clay.

To obtain such a mixture, you must:

• 250 ml of PVA glue and the same amount of corn starch;
• 2 tbsp. spoons of lemon juice;
• 1 st. a spoonful of petroleum jelly and the same amount of any cream;
• polyethylene film;
• Surface for kneading;
• Bowl and spoon for mixing.

These ingredients are enough to prepare 350 grams of finished material. All components, except for the cream, must be mixed in a prepared container and put in the microwave for half a minute at maximum speed. The cream is needed to lubricate the surface on which the clay will be kneaded.

After the microwave, you need to mix everything again and put it on a surface greased with cream and knead intensively, like a regular dough, for 5 minutes. Subsequently, an elastic plastic material should be formed. Next, you need to give it a shape, to remove residual water, wrap it with a cloth. When the clay has cooled, it is ready to use.

Crafts from polymer clay

If you are new to pottery, don't be fooled by sellers' advice to buy a variety of tools to create masterpieces. Many of them may be unclaimed. At the initial pores, a hard surface, a clerical knife, toothpicks, contours for forming figures, a rolling pin for rolling material, gloves and wet wipes will be enough.

If you pay attention to the photo of clay crafts, you will notice that there are many modeling techniques. Before starting work, you can watch several master classes in order to better get acquainted with the nuances of the upcoming work.

Of the most original methods, one can single out: the “cane technique”: rolled plates of different shades are laid out on top of each other and rolled up, and then cut into circles. On the cut you can see a colorful unusual pattern.

"Salt technique" involves rolling the product in salt and baking. After that, the salt is washed off the inputs and an interesting surface structure remains.

When using the "kaleidoscope" technique, different clays are rolled up and various shapes are cut out with molds. There is also a transition technique: using pieces of different colors, they form a smooth transition from one shade to another.

Self-hardening clay, after drying, is similar to gypsum, and the one that needs to be baked becomes denser and resembles a plastic product.

Clay crafts for beginners are best made in the form of a flower, bouquets or simple jewelry. It is better to paint with acrylic paints, however, in order to save money, it is also possible to purchase gouache, but it should be covered with several layers of varnish to fix it.

What is better to blind in the first place?

The easiest way to make a rose. To do this, you need to say a ball and give it the shape of a drop - this will be the base. Then make a few smaller balls and flatten them with your fingers - these are thin petals that need to be fixed around the base until you get a full-fledged flower.

To make beads or earrings, it is enough to take the shape of a square and cut out the required number of shapes - this will help to make each one the same size. After the figure, roll into balls, and then make holes for the lace using needles or toothpicks.

Modeling from ordinary natural clay

Clay is formed when rocks break down. Due to the difference in the minerals that make up its composition, it can be of a different shade: yellow, green, white and even blue.

Professionals for modeling prefer red and white clay. Therefore, if production from polymer clay, for some reason, does not bring pleasure, you can try to sculpt from ordinary clay, getting it yourself or buying it in a store.

Before starting work, you should sign up for a few lessons or watch video tutorials on the Internet in order to get acquainted with the features of clay and understand what it should be for use.

Before forming the product, it is necessary to thoroughly vent and beat it off with your hands to eliminate air, otherwise, when baking, the voids will tear the product.

For work, you can use various tools, the most convenient spatula. After completing the work, the finished figure is wiped with a sponge or soft brush. Then leave to dry for 10 days, and then fired.

The finished product is decorated using various techniques: glaze painting, colored clay decoration, acrylic coating and more.

findings

The more you sculpt, the easier this business will be given. Having become familiar with the features and properties of clay, you can create real masterpieces - baskets, caskets, vases, figurines and even sculptures of people. Crafts from polymer and ordinary clay for beginners will become a real decoration of the apartment, created by yourself.

Photo of clay crafts

Sculpting is a simple and very exciting hobby. It allows you to make many different things yourself - jewelry, toys, decorative crafts and sculptures of various shapes. Finished products are the best suited for unusual interior design and can be wonderful gifts for almost any holiday. Where to get material for modeling, how to work with it correctly and what can be done from clay with your own hands?

Sculpting from polymer clay for beginners

Polymer clay is a synthetic material that is similar in properties to plasticine, but at the same time it is able to harden. It is called differently - plastic, thermoplasticine, thermoplastic, cernit. Novice craftsmen need to know that there are two main types of polymer clay - one hardens only when baked, and the other without firing. Before choosing what can be made from clay, it is worth deciding what type of material will be used (purchased clay or mass for modeling your own preparation).

How to make polymer clay at home

Those who do not want to bear the cost of acquiring ready-made modeling material can prepare it themselves. It would be wrong to call homemade polymer clay because it is made using completely different components. However, the resulting material can be processed using standard polymer clay techniques. To make it, you need:

• 1 glass of white PVA glue;
• 1 cup cornstarch;
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice;
• 1 tablespoon of vaseline;
• 1 tablespoon of any low-fat cream;
• glass bowl for mixing;
• stirring spoon;
• a substrate for kneading clay;
• polyethylene film.

The given amount of ingredients is enough to make approximately 350 g of plastic mass for modeling. The technique for making clay is simple: using a spoon, thoroughly mix PVA glue, starch and petroleum jelly in a bowl. Then add lemon juice to the mass and mix everything well again. Next, the bowl must be put in the microwave for 30 seconds at maximum power.

The surface on which the clay will be kneaded should be lubricated with hand cream. The microwaved and re-mixed mixture should be laid out on this surface and kneaded vigorously for 5 minutes, like a regular dough. As a result of all the work, an elastic and plastic material should be obtained. It must be rolled into a sausage shape and wrapped in a cloth to remove excess moisture. Clay will be ready for use immediately after cooling.

What is needed for sculpting

In the process of modeling, any improvised means are used that can facilitate the work with clay and help to give the material the desired shape. It is better for novice craftsmen not to immediately stock up on a large number of professional tools, since many may not be useful. The minimum set of accessories and materials for working with polymer clay is represented by the following list:

• hard work surface
• cutting tools - a clerical knife, a razor blade for small jobs;
• rolling pins for rolling out different sizes - any convenient cylindrical objects will do;
• toothpicks or needles - with their help they make holes, thinly roll out small elements, fix parts;
• cutters - this is the name of special molds for cutting out figures, however, for the first time, any other devices will do instead of them, for example, caps from bottles of different sizes;
• wet wipes and gloves.

Sculpting techniques

When choosing what can be quickly made from clay, you need to learn a variety of modeling techniques that offer a novice master a lot of ideas for creativity. They are used both for the manufacture of clay products without firing, and when working with baked clay. Depending on the planned shape, color and design elements, polymer clay crafts can be made using the following popular techniques:

• Cane technique - rolled pieces of clay in different combinations of colors are laid out in layers and rolled up in the form of rolls, on the cut of which original multi-colored patterns are obtained.
• The technique of smooth color transition - polymer clay is mixed in different proportions, achieving the effect of transition from one color to another.
• Filigree technique - the workpiece is covered with very small pieces of clay, forming a beautiful openwork pattern.
• Kaleidoscope technique - layers of modeling material of different colors are rolled into rolls, and then they are given various geometric shapes by pressing them against a flat surface.
• "Salt" technique - beads or other elements are rolled in coarse salt, baked, and after cooling, the salt is washed with water, achieving a relief texture on the surface of the products.

How to sculpt with polymer clay

Self-hardening clay after hardening to the touch becomes like wood or plaster, so that the products can be processed with appropriate tools. Baked polymer material after exposure to high temperature is more solid and resembles plastic. You need to buy such clay in art and craft stores.

The first polymer clay products must be made in the form of easily processed elements, using improvised tools and gradually mastering various simple modeling techniques. It is best to start work with flowers (roses or lilies), bouquets, jewelry. When choosing how to paint polymer clay, preference should be given to acrylic paints. If gouache is chosen for painting, a layer of waterproof varnish is applied over it, and before painting with nitro enamel, it is recommended to prime the surface with epoxy glue.

Flowers

To mold a rose, you first need to make a small ball and give it a teardrop shape - this will be the core of the flower. Then roll a few balls and flatten them with your fingers, turning them into thin petals. They should be wrapped one by one around the core, forming a bud. It is better to leave the first petals straight, and those that will be at the edges, bend outward.

Articulated doll

To work on the manufacture of a hinged doll, you need foil. With its help, blanks of parts are formed on which a layer of polymer clay will be applied - the torso, head, legs and arms, as well as the hinges themselves for the hips, knees, forearms, elbows and hands. After drying, the parts are cut, and the foil is removed. Then they are undermined so that they fit each other better in size, glued at the cuts and connected with elastic laces.

jewelry

Jewelry with simple shapes is something that can be easily made from clay even without good modeling skills. Any novice craftsman will be able to make a ring, earrings, bracelet or pendant using simple techniques. It is best to choose an easy version of the product for the first work, for example, to make simple beads or earrings. To do this, the clay is rolled out and equal squares are cut out in it, which are rolled into balls - so each bead will have the same size. Then you need to make holes in the beads with a needle.

Master class of polymer clay crafts for children

Modeling classes help the child to explore the world around him and develop fine motor skills. The possibilities for creativity here are endless, but when choosing what a child can make from clay, it is better to start working with things of the simplest forms that he can make on his own or with minimal help from an adult. For example, sculpt food for dolls with the baby or teach him to sculpt different animals.

Food

It will be easiest for a child to fashion such food for dolls as vegetables and fruits. Show him how to use a needle to make a “real” peel on an orange, to beautifully decorate a leaf on an apple by drawing veins on it, or to give the correct shape to a pear. It is necessary to master different methods and techniques of modeling with a child gradually, and it is also important to take into account that children always want to see the result of work faster. So that the baby does not lose interest in modeling, it is better for him to explain in advance that the products will not be ready immediately.

Animals

For modeling animals, it is best to use simple pictures where the animals are depicted schematically. Looking at them, it is easier to choose what to mold, and it is easier to figure out how to give the details the desired shape. For very small animals, it is allowed to use whole pieces of material, and larger figures are recommended to be made using the technique of hollow parts, using improvised molds for modeling. Beads are used to decorate the eyes and noses.

Clay products for molding and firing

How to prepare clay for modeling? Immediately before starting work, you need to knead it well with your hands - this way it becomes more plastic. When baking white or red clay is used, it is important to maintain the correct temperature when heating products. It should be in the range of 110-130 degrees, because at a higher temperature the clay can lose its shape, darken or even catch fire.

Can you make your own baked clay? Theoretically, this is possible, but, firstly, to create such a material, you need to find high-quality natural clay, and secondly, it will be difficult to burn it correctly at home without special equipment. It will be possible to independently produce such material for modeling only empirically, that is, by trial and error.

Vase

For the manufacture of thin and tall figures and sculptures, it is recommended to use a frame. When creating a vase, a beautifully shaped plastic bottle is best served as such a frame. It must be cut into two parts, and then glued over each with rolled layers of self-hardening polymer clay. After hardening, both parts are carefully glued together and a finished vase is obtained.

figurines

When sculpting figures and sculptures, one cannot do without a base for modeling. To create it, various improvised materials can be used, for example, flexible wire. If a novice master is interested in how to mold a person from clay, then in this case it is better to resort to video tutorials that show the process of performing such a complex work in stages.

Clay modeling video tutorials

The video tutorials on modeling provide a lot of necessary information for beginners: how to burn clay at home, how best to use certain techniques. Master classes in video format help to better study the intricacies of working with polymeric material and quickly master the independent production of elements of varying degrees of complexity.

From modern plastic hardening material, you can create designer figurines, jewelry, buttons, plaques, small souvenirs and large panels on the wall. Most artists embody popular memes, flowers, leaves, figures of people, animals, anime characters and computer games in "plasticity" (as polymer clay is also called). In addition to stamping miniatures of the same type into molds, as for author's chess, there is a practice of creating small figurines in a single copy.

Self-sculpting of polymer clay figurines is an entertaining and educational creative process recommended for children and adults to relieve stress, develop artistic taste, observation and fine motor skills of hands.

What you need to know about plastic

The photo shows what polymer clay is and in what form it is produced:

1. There are two main types of plastics: self-hardening and those that have to be baked at a high temperature. The first acquaintance is more expedient to start working with a self-hardening composition in order to reduce the time and effort required.
2. The polymer composition is dense white, translucent and opaque colored in mass. It is sold in the form of bars of various colors in plastic packaging. It indicates the expiration date of the material and the mode of its hardening (baking temperature).
3. Keep the material tightly sealed, otherwise it will dry out, and it will become very difficult to sculpt from it. To make it a little easier to work with dried plastic, add two drops of vegetable oil to the lump and knead thoroughly.
4. Polymer clay, depending on the type and manufacturer, is somewhat firmer to the touch and not as greasy and sticky as plasticine. But it also retains fingerprints and stacks (needles, stencils, etc.) on its surface just as well.
5. During the final processing of figurines, brooches and dolls, to give a smooth surface to the material, it is manually polished with waterproof sandpaper.
6. The surface of the finished product should be protected from external influences, otherwise it will quickly darken from touch and collect dust. For protection, a special acrylic varnish is used.
7. Polymer clay is baked in a household oven (gas or electric). In the microwave, a plastic product is not baked! There is a risk of damage to the figurine or the microwave itself, since the craft may contain metal elements.
8. The cost of the same type of material from different manufacturers sometimes varies by 30-50%. Cheaper products are more likely to have reduced strength, crumble, and have some surface friability or grain even after processing.
9. To make a polymer clay figurine exactly as it was intended, you should first practice modeling on a material with similar physical properties - plasticine.

How to quickly make a plastic model

First of all, you need a sketch of a future craft - a photo if it is a person or a real animal, or a drawing if it is an anime character, a computer game or a book.

Consider a short master class - sculpting a two-color composition of an animal (octopus) with your own hands:

1. Form a round even roller of light polymer clay.
2. Roll out a bar of dark plastic into a sheet 3-5 mm thick and cover it with a light one.
3. Separate two-thirds of the roller with a knife and cut them lengthwise into 8 strips.
4. From the remaining third, form a convex head (you can use a spoon), highlighting a place for the eyes with a match.
5. Roll each strip lightly, lengthening and sharpening the ends.
6. Form tentacles, removing their edges under the head.
7. Curl the ends of the tentacles in accordance with the plan so that their light part turns out to be “inner”.
8. Apply "suckers" to the light part of the tentacles, squeezing them out with a small tube or gluing slices of chopped "sausage" from dark plastic.
9. Work out the details. Bake (dry). Glue eyes and other decorations, if necessary.

In the photo you can see how designers imagine such an octopus.

Stages of work with plastic

The Advanced Polymer Clay Beginner's Workshop provides tips on organizing your workspace, filming the process, and illustrating design ideas.

The process of creating a figurine from polymer clay is divided into several main stages:

• Preliminary. After preliminary thinking about how the final product will look like, it's time to select the necessary materials. Acquisition of a certain type of clay and paints, feathers, fur, fabric or sequins, ready-made accessories (eyes, nose, clothing details) figurines.
• Site equipment. To work, you will need a free table 60x80 cm or more, and on it - a flat, hard, smooth surface, which is difficult and not a pity to scratch with a cutter or a stack. Be sure to have good lighting of the same type, in which the product will be exhibited more often in finished form (preferably natural light or overhead light + directional). For the base, it is better to take a glazed ceramic tile or a porcelain plate with thick enamel. The molded figurine will need to be placed in the oven or left to dry for a long time directly on this stand, so you should use something unnecessary.
• Process. Work on the craft should be done in stages, first creating the center of the composition - the most massive part - or the base (skeleton) of the wire and foil structure. Unused plastic should be kept wrapped in a plastic bag or original packaging.
• Final finishing. Baking or curing the figure in the air. Grinding (if necessary), coating with protective and decorative varnish, sparkles.
• Creation of a platform. If the craft is intended to be a brooch or jewelry, this step can be skipped, but if a figurine of an animal or an anime character is being created, you need to make a flat stand made of glass, metal or ceramics, twice the diameter of the “heel” of the product.

For clarity of the process, how to make a polymer clay figurine with your own hands, beginners are advised to watch the attached video.

Masters who have been sculpting from polymer clay for a long time advise beginners:

• Taking hold of the part, you should finish it completely, without leaving it “for later”, otherwise the top layer of the composition will dry out, become brittle and will not perceive molding well.
• Plastic is non-toxic, but during its baking, be sure to ventilate the room well so as not to inhale combustion products.
• Small details, accessories and even the figures themselves should not be trusted to children under three years of age at all. They can swallow them or shove them up their noses. From three to six years old, it is recommended to practice modeling under the supervision of adults.
• Beginning sculptors, in order not to spend money on a professional stack, use a teaspoon, a shoe spatula and matches as a tool.

A fascinating hobby is best done by the whole family, with children or a company. It brings inspiration, new ideas and mutual understanding.

Making products from natural clay began in the Stone Age. With the help of clay, our ancestors created tablets, dishes, jewelry, toys and much more. This activity is still very much appreciated. After all, modeling from clay is not an easy job, it is a huge work in which a person invests his love and time. But despite all the difficulties, sculpting from clay is a pleasure. Whatever the result, you will be happy, because this, maybe not yet a big figure, you blinded yourself, with your own hands.

This article will help you experience that happiness. In it, you will learn the basics that will help you in further sculpting products.

Clay for modeling

The first thing to do is to choose the material from which you will create. Nowadays, finding good modeling clay is not a problem. To do this, just go to any store with stationery for children. These stores sell gray clay, which is great for beginners. It is soft, comfortable and inexpensive.

For more complex creations, soluble blue or natural clay is suitable. It is important to remember that blue clay must be sifted before being dissolved. But for natural clay, you will have to arrange a check. To do this, try to make a figure out of it, and if you notice cracks on the final form, then this clay should not be used for modeling.

There are several types of clays that are not suitable for modeling - these are grainy and rough.

Modeling methods

After you have chosen the clay, it is worth considering how you want to mold your invention. Clay can be molded in a variety of ways. They are divided into 7 types:

1. Constructive.

The figurine is created from different parts, starting with the largest and ending with the smallest parts.

1. Plastic

The figurine is created from one piece of clay. All parts of the product appear due to the stretching of the main piece of clay.

1. Combined

This method combines the constructive and plastic methods.

1. Tape

Modeling can be performed using two materials:

• stripes
• plates

1. Relief molding

Relief molding can be done using several methods:

• Applying the drawing
• Putting forms on the base
• Choosing Clay

1. Pinching technique

This technique also considers several execution paths:

• By molding from a ball
• Through a circular path

1. Spiral technique

The figurine is created using harnesses.

If you are sculpting for the first time, it is best to start with a whole piece of clay (i.e. the plastic method), and then move on to more complex methods. For the plastic method, it is enough to have a piece of clay, imagination, a simple picture in front of your eyes and the most important tool - your hands. If you have experience with plasticine, then you will quickly get the hang of working with clay.

After choosing the clay and modeling method, you can move on to the practical part. Thanks to the recommendations that will be given below, you can quickly overcome the status of "beginner" and move to the level of "mastery", i.e. to other, more complex methods of sculpting figures.

• During the sculpting process, you must have clean hands, clean tools and a clean surface.
• If other colors are to be included in your product, then start with darker and brighter colors and finish with white.

1. A few tips for working with polymer clay:

• Sculpt on a smooth surface
• Instead of stacks, you can use toothpicks
• Fingerprints often remain on polymer clay, so use gloves to keep your creations smooth and tidy.
• Choose gloves carefully, they should be as tight as possible, otherwise it will be inconvenient for you to sculpt
• If you need to cut something, use a utility knife

Product processing

Naturally, nothing ends with the molding. After you have completed your figure, it must be processed. This is done so that your figurine looks great and stays strong for a long time.

How is processing done? To begin with, your work must be completely dry. Remember that dried
the clay is much lighter and lighter, so it will not be difficult for you to determine whether it has dried or not. Dry her

preferably first in a bag, and then, if desired, you can dry it and burn it in the oven. It is worth knowing that you can only burn a completely dried product on a gentle fire.

After you have completed this lengthy process, proceed to the actual processing - apply white enamel to the surface of the figurine. White enamel will level the surface of the product. After alignment, you can color the figure.

The last thing you can do is apply a thin layer of PVA glue. It will add shine to your product. But it can only be applied after the paint has dried.