An Overview of Basic Skills and Tools for Sculpting in Polymer Clay
I have many lenses here on Squidoo about sculpting in polymer clay but none that really give a good overview of what you need to get started. This lens is about the essential information you need to get started sculpting in polymer clay, then you can move on to my other lenses for more in details on specific sculpting topics.
What is Polymer Clay?
Polymer clay is a non-toxic man-made sculpting material which stays pliable until cured at relatively low temperatures, typically between 265 and 275°F (129-135°C).
There are a number of brands and specialty clays with different properties.
For more in depth information see the Wikipedia Polymer Clay article.
Major Brands
Polyform
Sculpey
Sculpey III
Super Sculpey (Original and Firm)
Premo! Sculpey
Studio by Sculpey
Granitex
Translucent Liquid Sculpey
Sculpey Super Flex
Sculpey UltraLight
Sculpey Clay Softener
Studio by Sculpey
Bake Shop for Kids
Eberhard-Faber
Fimi Soft
Fimo Classic
Doll (Puppen) Fimo
Fimo Liquid (Deko Gel)
Fimo Lacquer
Fimo Effects
Fimo Mix Quick
Donna Kato
Kato Polyclay
Kato Liquid Polyclay
Prosculpt
Prosculpt Clay
Prosculpt Smoothing Oil
Other Brands: Cernit, Pardo
Which Brand Should I Choose?
Most polymer clays are good for sculpting so it's mostly a personal choice as to which one you use.Clays that work well for sculpting include Super Sculpey, Super Sculpey Firm, Premo! Sculpey, Fimo Classic, Puppen Fimo, Prosculpt, and Kato Clay. Generally you can mix different colors and brands of polymer clay together to get custom mixes.
Clays that don't work particularly well and should be avoided include: Original Sculpey, Sculpey III, and Fimo Soft are not durable enough for sculpture. Specialty clays like Granitex (which has a gritty rock-like texture) and the liquid clays are not for general sculpting but work well for certain effects.
Buying Supplies
Eberhard Faber Fimo Classic Polymer Clay
The most important thing to know is...
Anyone can sculpt. How well you sculpt is related to how much time and effort you put into learning and your own creativity.
Is Sculpting in Polymer Clay Different than Sculpting in Other Clays?
The modeling properties of polymer clay are similar to working in oil based plasticine clay. Polymer clays are a little more rubbery and less sticky than plasticine but otherwise you can generally sculpt in polymer clay like you would with oil based clays.There are a few things with polymer clay that differ from other clays:
Smoothing - Unlike with natural clays polymer clay can't be smoothed with water. Instead isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol at 90% or 70% solution, sculpey clay softener (also called diluent), acetone, or turpenoid can be used for smoothing. Acetone and turpenoid are both highly toxic chemicals so I don't recommend using them but they do work. Always leave a sculpture to dry at least overnight after smoothing before curing the clay.
Leaching and softening - Sometimes polymer clay can be either too soft or too dry, both can be remedied.
If clay is too soft you can leach it, this is done by laying rolled sheets of polymer clay between plain white paper (colored or printed paper will transfer ink to the clay), stacking books or other heavy objects on top, and leaving it for several hours or overnight. The paper absorbs the excess plasticizers in the clay firming it up.
If clay is too dry you can mix a few drops of sculpey clay softener (diluent) or a small piece of fimo mix quick into the clay. This will soften the clay by adding more plasticizers.
Basic Polymer Clay Safety
Sculpting tools should be dedicated to clay work and should never be used for food afterwards. That includes rolling pins, baking sheets, and knives. I also recommend using a dedicated toaster oven and if you must use your kitchen oven (say for sculpts that don't fit in the toaster oven) you should either clean it afterwards or enclose your sculpt in a roasting bag/aluminum foil.Clean your oven thoroughly after baking polymer clay unless it is dedicated to polymer clay use or if clay was baked in a sealed container like a roasting bag.
Follow common sense when handling sharp or hot objects. Always wear safety glasses if using a powertool such as a dremel.
Pthalates
Polymer clays are certified non-toxic but there is some controversy over the presence of pthalates in polymer clay. The jury is still about on how harmful the pthalates used in polymer clay really are but they are in some polymer clays to make them more pliable. These chemicals can enter your skin while you are handling the raw clay (however no evidence exists that these chemicals can leach from cured clay into skin). If you are worried about it you should wear latex or nitrile gloves, barrier creams may also work.
Due to concerns about pthalates and new European Union regulations most polymer clays will be changing their formulas within the next couple years. Kato Clay will be the first rolling out the new formula in the US. Read more about it from Katherine Dewey.
Beginner's Tool Set
My recommendations for a very basic tool set to start with. You can then build on this set either buying or making more tools as you go.Work Surface
Polymer clay isn't as messy as some clays but it can make a mess and it can damage wood furniture so you need a dedicated work surface for sculpting. Good options are:
Glass - This can be a plain sheet of glass (put masking tape on the edges if they're sharp) or a glass cutting board. I even found an old round glass table top that was goign to be thrown out that works great. One of the benefits of glass is that you can slip reference diagrams and photos under it.
Craft Mat - Self healing craft mats are typically sold for scrapbooking or quilting but they also make good surfaces for clay. They usually also have a measured grid that can be useful.
Cutting Tool
I recommend a good sharp craft knife such as those by x-acto. A dull knife will work but you won't get good crisp edges.
Rolling Tool
This can be a rolling pin, acrylic roller, heavy drinking glass, or a pasta machine. Anything that works to roll out sheets of clay.
Simple Modeling Tools
You can get a basic set of 6 wooden sculpting tools at just about any art store. Get the wooden ones, they aren't much more than the plastic sets and they work much better.
Loop Tools
Loop tools are for removing fine bits of clay from your sculpts. You can buy these at an art store or make them with dowels, music wire (like from guitar strings), and glue. See my Polymer Clay Sculpting Tools lens for more about makign tools.
Needle Tool
Needle tools are exactly what they sound like, a needle-like metal spike on a wooden handle. They are useful for scribing lines and poking holes in clay. You can buy one from an art store or make one using a dowel and a heavy tapestry needle.
Storage
I use a small toolbox for my sculpting tools but a desk drawer, pencil box, shoe box, etc. all work well for keeping tools organized and in one place.
More About Tools
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Polymer Clay Sculpting Tools
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I'm absolutely addicted to getting new sculpting tools, both buying and making them. If you need some help deciding on what tools you need to get started or want to make some of your own keep reading.
What is an Armature?
The armature is the skeleton of your sculpture. It's an internal structure that gives added strength and support your sculpture to keep it from breaking and also reduces the amount of clay you need to use. Armatures can be made from a variety of materials such as wire, crumpled up aluminum foil, sculpting epoxy such as Aves ApoxieSculpt, Sculpey Ultralight clay, or a combination of materials.Do I need an armature?
If you are doing any complex figure with thin extremities such as arms, legs, tails, etc. or a large figure you need an armature. The reason large figures need armatures is that any layer of polymer clay thicker than 1/2 inch is difficult to cure thoroughly and evenly so a large sculpture should be bulked out with some other material such as aluminum foil or epoxy.
More About Armatures
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Building Armatures for Polymer Clay Sculpture
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Armatures are vital to strong sculptures. Learn about different methods for building strong armatures. A strong armature can hold polymer clay in virtually any complicated or precarious position, even look like it's floating in air.
The Basic Techniques of Sculpting in Clay
There are three general techniques for sculpting in clay which all other techniques fall under. These are my own terms.Adding
This is adding clay to your sculpture. Taking little bits, they can be balls, snakes, sheets, chunks, etc. You layer pieces onto your sculpture until you get the rough shape you want.
Pushing Around
This is taking your fingers and/or sculpting tools and pushing, pulling, blending, raking, and otherwise moving the clay around to refine the shapes of your sculpture.
Subtracting
Taking away clay, carving it, removing sometimes tiny slivers to refine shapes or add texture.
Isn't there more to it?
Of course there is. There are hundreds of things to learn about sculpting specific subjects from people to animals to fabric. However no matter what you sculpt you are going to be using these basic ideas of adding, subtracting, and pushing around clay and there is no way for me to teach you to do this in an article, it requires getting your hands in the clay, playing with it, practicing creating shapes and textures to figure out what works for you.
You have to practice constantly to improve your ability to shape clay, the same way a musician practices playing scales. Its not because a scale is a piece of music anyone wants to listen to but because it's a basic skill that improves their ability to play.
Don't imagine I think learning things like proper anatomy, studying your subjects, etc. aren't important. They are vital skills themselves but no amount of knowledge of anatomy is going to help if you don't have the skill to translate that anatomy into the clay.
More About Sculpting
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Polymer Clay Sculpting Tips and Tutorials
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Polymer clay is a wonderful medium for sculpture. You can create one of a kind sculptures without the need for an expensive kiln or messy mold materials. You can create everything from very simple animals made from basic shapes to detailed, complex,...
Sculpting Books by Katherine Dewey
Katherine Dewey is one of the best polymer clay sculptors about and her forum on Elvenwork is incredibly helpful, she's always willing to answer questions. Click the books to view more details or to order from Amazon.com.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhat Do I Do When I've Finished My Sculpture?
CuringPolymer clay never dries out, in order to harden your sculpture it needs to be cured. Polymer clay cures at a fairly low temperature of around 275°F (135°C) generally in a conventional or toaster oven. I recommend the ramp method of curing sculpture which can be found on my Techniques for Curing Polymer Clay lens.
Painting
After your sculpture has cured you can choose to either leave it the color of the clay or paint it. There are many techniques you can use for painting polymer clay sculpture from light washes of color, to brushing thicker paint on, sponge painting, airbrushing, liquid polymer clays, applying soft pastels, or mica powders. My lens on Painting Polymer Clay Sculptures goes over the most common techniques.
Avoid lacquer based enamel paints, they will not dry properly on polymer clay and remain sticky. Acrylics work best, oil paints especially heat set oils are also effective.
Painting, Curing, and More
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Using Liquid Polymer Clay
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Liquid Polymer Clay is a fairly new medium, only being around for a few years now. However in a few short years artists and crafters have found hundreds of ways to use this new medium.
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Painting Polymer Clay Sculptures
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Polymer clay comes in a rainbow of colors but some projects can be greatly improved by a little paint or other surface treatment. Popular techniques for painting sculpture include brushing on acrylic, airbrushing, and using powdered pigments to crea...
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Techniques for Curing Polymer Clay
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No subject in polymer clay has more controversy than how to best cure polymer clay. This lens gives an over view of the main techniques used.
Figure Sculpting and Anatomy
If you want to sculpt people and animals you need to learn about proper anatomy. Anatomy is a huge subject and I've compiled some resources on the subject, along with sources of reference photos since sculpting from a live model isn't always possible. More About Figure Sculpting and Anatomy
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Feature Focus: Sculpting Eyes
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Welcome to the first in a series of lenses about sculpting specific features. Eyes portray much of the emotion in a sculpture and are where you first focus when looking at a face. So come learn about the anatomy of the eye, sculpting, using glass eye...
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Resources for Figure Artists
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This lens has the best reference sources for figure artists as I've found so far, from poses to anatomy to hands and feet. I've compiled it for anyone who loves to create artwork portraying the human figure, whether you draw, sculpt, or paint I...
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Feature Focus: Sculpting Hands
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Many sculptors, even very talented ones, have trouble sculpting hands. They are one of the most complex features of the body to sculpt. This lens can't make sculpting hands easy or teach you overnight, but it will give you a good overview of the anat...
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Resources for Animal Artists
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Unlike with humans it can sometimes be impossible to work from life with many animals especially exotic wildlife so reference photos are a must. Also as with all art based on life a good grasp of the anatomy is important. I've compiled a...
General Sculpting Books
Check out Noadi's Art Sculpting Books aStore for the full list of sculpting books I recommend.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAdvanced Sculpture Techniques: Molding and Casting
Molding and casting may not be somethign you ever want to do with your polymer clay sculptures, but if you ever want to make copies of your work this is how it's done.-
Basics of Casting Sculpture
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So you've got your molds ready now it's time to cast some sculpture. This lens is all about how to cast your sculptures using a variety of materials, polymer clay, plaster, resin, porcelain, and more.
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Making Molds of Polymer Clay Sculpture
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The wonderful thing about polymer clay is that you can create one of a kind sculpture with it but sometimes you might want to make copies of a sculpture. For that you need to make a mold and then cast in a material like resin, plaster, or porcelain....
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Feedback? Comments? Questions?
I'd love to hear what you think.
dustytoes wrote...
Your lenses have caused me to want to try my hand at this. I'll be referencing your lenses for answers to my many questions...great job!
Posted June 07, 2009
dragonlady1353 wrote
Lots of great info. I make many figures out of clay but needed certain tips and got them here. thanx.
Posted April 16, 2009
Meerkat wrote
Thanks so much for the concise info -- the best on the web
Posted April 02, 2009
AbidingVineDesigns wrote
Thank you so much for taking the time to write about the basics of polymer clay. I'm just
getting started. I have Premo in hand as I type (well, I put it down to type). I'm excited to
try this fascinating art form!
Posted February 23, 2009
Chris wrote
Thank you so much, this is wonderful !!
Posted January 31, 2009
sukkran wrote...
really a great lens with good information, nice tips and valuable guidance. thks
sukkran
Posted December 26, 2008
d-artist wrote...
great lens! years ago i made jewelry from polymer clay, I enjoyed it but was time consuming for me...too many interests I can't keep up with....5*
Posted November 02, 2008
tenaciousp wrote
Thank you so much for this lens. I am a beginner and have found this information invaluable in helping me get started. Thanks!
Posted October 08, 2008
Ruth wrote
Hi Sheryl, you're a resourceful creature indeed! I like the way you put things together here and on your site...I found you thru the ooak guild, XRuth
Posted September 28, 2008
WritingforYourWealth wrote...
Looks like a fun hobby to try. Great information!
Posted September 14, 2008
kiwisoutback wrote...
I sculpted some things in high school, I'm a much better painter though. It's really difficult for me, but you've made some excelllent suggestions. Nice work here on this lens!
Posted August 19, 2008
The_Homeopath wrote...
I'm not very talented in the sculptin department, but I have made some 1/12 scale butterflies for my dollhouse - they came out very well. Polymer clay has been an absolute godsend to the miniatures community.
Posted August 08, 2008
adez7 wrote...
Hi Noadi, Found this lens on Stumble and I just love it. So here is my two cents and my star dust to help it along its path~~! :)
Posted August 03, 2008
poddys wrote...
This is a really nice detailed lens. 5***** well deserved. I always wanted to work with clay, just never had the chance, and I'm not that artistic either.
Posted July 30, 2008
mulberry wrote...
Interesting, certainly easy to understand. Now all I need is eye hand coordination and like 40 billion hours of practice. You have impressive work!
Posted July 26, 2008
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