To start, make sure you have a roller, clay blade, and a few sculpting tools, like those with balls or rubber tips at the end to create various shapes. You can also use items that you find around your home as sculpting tools. Look for anything that can be used to make interesting details on the clay. Popular choices include sewing needles, knitting needles, craft knives, dental tools, pens, pencils, and toothpicks. Polymer clay comes in a variety of colors and consistencies. Choose firm polymer clay if you want to work with clay that holds its shape better. Alternatively, pick soft polymer clay if you are after a type that is easier to shape and stretch. [2] X Research source Cover your work surface with a non-porous material like a plastic placemat to keep the oil in the clay from leaching into your table or desk.
Aim for the clay to reach a stretchy, malleable consistency.
For example, if you want to make a model of a head, shape the face, eyes, eyebrows, ears, nose, and mouth separately first. Then, put them all together by gently pressing the pieces of clay into each other. Remember that if you make a mistake, you can simply remold the clay.
Roll the clay to create spherical shapes like balls and beads. [5] X Research source Put more pressure on 1 side of the ball while rolling the clay in your hands to turn it into a cone shape.
Flatten the clay with a rolling pin or ruler. You can create flat, thin pieces or shapes with flat sides like squares or rectangles. [7] X Research source Sewing needles are great for making small indents, while knitting needles are ideal for larger impressions. Wire loop-shaped tools are great for creating circular patterns and craft knives are perfect for making intricate markings and lines. If a tool sticks or doesn’t glide easily, dip it into water first and then try using it again. [8] X Research source
Only apply very small amounts of mineral spirits at a time. The mineral spirits will make the clay soft enough so that you can use the paintbrush to further sculpt your model. Always use mineral spirits to smooth and sculpt the clay last, as it will be more difficult to work with afterward. [10] X Research source
Don’t use a temperature that’s lower or higher than the recommended, as the clay won’t cure properly. While most polymer clay needs to be baked in the oven to cure, you can get specific types that are labeled as “air-dry” that don’t need heat to cure.
If your oven-safe dish doesn’t have a covering, simply cover it using aluminum foil.
For example, some types of polymer clay specify that your model requires 10 minutes of baking time for every 1⁄4 in (0. 64 cm) of thickness. When the time is up, carefully remove the dish from the oven using pot holders and allow the clay to cool.
It’s always recommended to paint polymer clay after it has cured rather than before. If you make a mistake with the acrylic paint, simply wait for it to dry and then paint over it.
